Alexander Gustafsson has a shot at becoming a UFC champion later this year, but not without an asterisk.
With former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in exile, Gustafsson will serve as the first challenge to newly minted champ Daniel Cormier.
While Cormier seems content with the title he beat out Anthony Johnson for at UFC 186 in May, Gustafsson isn’t so sure.
“Whoever is holding the belt is the official champion, but everybody knows that the best guy out there is Jon Jones,” Gustafsson told Fightland. “He’s the pound for pound best guy in the world and you can probably only consider yourself a real world champion if you beat him.”
Still haunted by his unanimous decision loss to Jones at UFC 165, Gustafsson is holding out hope for another crack.
“The fight that everybody wants to see is a rematch with me and Jones,” said Gustafsson. “Let’s see what happens but I’m ready for that, it’s the fight that has been motivating me. I think it’s a fight that is going to happen one day, for sure.”
As for now, the Swede will have his hands full with Cormier.
No date or venue has been set for the light heavyweight title bout, but Gustafsson says he’s ‘already in camp and it’s 13 weeks out from the fight.’ That would mean the weekend of Sept. 5, the weekend currently slated to host UFC 191 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Despite Comrier’s wrestling pedigree, Gustafsson says he won’t shy away from grappling the two-time Olympian.
“I think he’s very confident with his striking, he’s obviously a very high caliber athlete,” said Gustafsson. “He’s got a lot of belief in himself and I’m expecting him to trade with me a little bit, I certainly don’t think he’s going to be afraid to stand up with me or anything like that. I kind of feel the same about his wrestling.
“Wrestling is all about taking you[sic] opportunities when different situations unfold. If I find myself in the right situation against Cormier, I’ll use my wrestling too. We’ll have to see what happens, this is an MMA fight and anything can happen.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The Go Horse. Fabricio Werdum explains how getting beat up by a girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend changed his life forever.
‘This Olympic thing has been discarded.’ Anderson Silva‘s manager says the former UFC middleweight champion won’t pursue a bid to represent Brazil in Taekwondo at the 2016 Olympic games.
Fortunes Changed for Five. Dave Meltzer explains how Dan Henderson, Ben Rothwell, Dustin Poirier, Brian Ortega and Francisco Rivera move forward following UFC Fight Night: New Orleans.
‘I am a cheat.’ Bellator’s Mike Richman has been fined and suspended for two years after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. ‘I want to say that I lost the integrity in myself and the integrity of this sport.’
Still real to me. Ryan Bader says his press conference altercation with Daniel Cormier ‘wasn’t fabricated.’
MEDIA STEW
UFC 180 remix.
Cain Velasquez‘ ultimate 8.
Cain Velasquez explains how losing was good for him.
Brendan Schaub makes too much money to fight, apparently.
Highlights from RFA 26.
Girls beating guys using Jiu Jitsu while Shia LaBeouf says stuff.
Long watches.
Show Money 5: UFC lawsuit homecoming; is Al Haymon predatory?
…
You’re Welcome with Chael Sonnen – Paul Heyman
…
TWEETS
Big one.
In regards to my positive test results for an Anabolic Steroid. I want to say that I lost the integrity in myself… http://t.co/jQHLgRi1PI
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) June 9, 2015
Cheaters gon’ pay RT @MMAFighting: Bellator’s Mike Richman tests positive for PED, suspended 2yrs (@marc_raimondi) http://t.co/448xye1AcL
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 9, 2015
Totally admire your honesty in this tough situation. Look forward 2 seeing u back @BellatorMMA when this has passed https://t.co/TYL9CyTIXg
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) June 9, 2015
I have to say it was very big of @MikeUSMCRichman being so honest about his mistake, we all make mistakes but some can’t admit them!
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) June 9, 2015
Heading to Mexico.
México aqui vamos nós! México aquí vamos! Mexico here we go! #UFC188 #EuSouCers #TNTenergydrink… https://t.co/wMQgSwGRYC
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) June 10, 2015
#UFC188 bound! #MMA #UFC #WARLOVSKI pic.twitter.com/NY06pXoFpY
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) June 9, 2015
Off to Mexico City with this freak show. #UFC188 pic.twitter.com/ovenjArsqk
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) June 9, 2015
They should fight.
I think @FabricioWerdum may have pissed @cainmma off. That’s not good. Someone is in so much trouble. Didn’t have to be this way 🙂
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 9, 2015
Cool.
I call this hairstyle ‘The Soft Top’ https://t.co/Iam4yf5D2h pic.twitter.com/4yFRTgOrI4
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 10, 2015
Moving on.
I haven’t fought in what feels like forever, healing from nerve damage feels like it takes even longer!
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) June 9, 2015
I asked for my release from @Wsof which was granted thanks to @SugarRaySefo I’m not sure if I’ll ever step in the cage to compete again
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) June 9, 2015
It begins.
We started our Rocky IV style training camp for #UFC190 in the mountains on Monday – it was raining… https://t.co/YqIyjeoSpu
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) June 9, 2015
Get well soon.
The Strong Board has been one of the biggest keys to rehabbing my knee. Go check them out at… https://t.co/LpWZLHxYBw
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) June 10, 2015
Careful out there.
Made it to Cancun just in time for the foam party to start http://t.co/54RdVimoTU pic.twitter.com/qzUwdAAS0j
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) June 9, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (June 9 2015)
Derek Brunson out, Uriah Hall vs. Krzysztof Jotko at UFC Fight Night: Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne
Sergio Moraes out, Steve Kennedy vs. Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night: Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne
Myles Jury out, Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder at UFC on FOX 16
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.