Alexander Gustafsson feels he is superior to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
He already feels that he proved that in a narrow decision loss to the champ at UFC 165 in September 2013. As we inch closer to the rematch between these two 205-pound studs, the Swede is eager to prove this fact a second time.
When they enter the UFC Octagon to face each other a second time, Gustafsson feels that the judges can head out to the concession stand and snag some nachos and a soda. They won’t be needed.
Jones will crumple, and he will be finished.
“I know that when we fight, I’m going to take that belt,” Gustafsson told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani during Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “It’s not going to a decision at all. It’s going to be a finish.”
Gustafsson expressed discontent with the judges’ decision in their first fight, and he said that only he possesses the ability to prevent this from happening a second time.
“A decision for me is not an option anymore,” Gustafsson said. “A finish will happen.”
UFC President Dana White recently hinted that the UFC may take this much-anticipated rematch to an outdoor arena in Gustafsson‘s home nation of Sweden, a point which resonated well with “The Mauler.”
“If it (the event in Sweden) would happen, it would be a dream come true for me,” Gustafsson said.
However, such an event, while seemingly perfect for business, comes with a few drawbacks.
Most notably, the time zone differences would require the pay-per-view portion of the card to kick off at 4 a.m. local time to accommodate U.S. viewers who expect a normal starting time of 10 p.m. While this is an incredibly early (or late, depending on your outlook) starting time for the live crowd, Gustafsson does not view this as a deal-breaker for the event. In fact, he thinks it won’t be even a slight hang-up for the Swedish crowd.
“It’s a very odd time to go to an event, but I think they’re very interested in the sport, and I know a lot of people are interested in that rematch, so I think the time won’t be a problem at all,” Gustafsson said.
When the two finally step inside the cage to settle their differences, Gustafsson feels he will enjoy every advantage, including the mental one. Jones refused to mention Gustafsson at the UFC 172 post-fight press conference, and The Mauler sees this as a sign that he is inside the champion’s head, winning the mental battle before the fight even commences.
“He gets irritated by me, just by my name, and I think that’s good,” Gustafsson said.
With the mental advantage gained, Gustafsson now turns his attention to the physical struggle ahead. If his prognosis is correct, the rematch is going to crown a victor in clear fashion, and the UFC light heavyweight championship strap will become property of Sweden by night’s end.
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