Daniel Cormier has nothing but respect for Alexander Gustafsson and his decision to retire from MMA.
It’s the end of the road for Alexander Gustafsson.
After three failed title fights and a submission loss to Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith at UFC Fight Night 153 this past Saturday, ‘The Mauler’ has decided to call it a career and hang up the gloves.
Gustafsson announced his retirement in his post-fight interview at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Arena, placing his gloves on the mat before issuing the following statement:
“What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said (transcript via Tom Taylor of BJPenn.com). “It feels like I don’t have in me anymore to be honest,” he added post-fight, explaining his decision. “It feels like I do mistakes I shouldn’t do. I just feel like, I just have the feeling like it is the time now. I don’t want to be a journeyman, I don’t want to do this because I am getting paid. I just want to do this because I love it and I want to be at the top.”
Shortly after announcing his retirement, reigning heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier hailed Gustafsson a warrior and one of his fiercest competitors to date.
Alex, you will forever be one of the biggest players in my journey. We’ve agreed, we have argued and bickered, but ultimately you made me better. You made the sport better. You are a warrior and will be truly missed! @AlexTheMauler #ufc192 #mauler #sweden pic.twitter.com/jrMIWcbZT2
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 3, 2019
“Alex, you will forever be one of the biggest players in my journey,” Cormier posted on Twitter. “We’ve agreed, we have argued and bickered, but ultimately you made me better. You made the sport better. You are a warrior and will be truly missed!”
Gustafsson fought then-light heavyweight champ Cormier in a thrilling five-round contest at UFC 192, losing via narrow split decision at Houston’s Toyota Center in 2015. The Swede also fought pound-for-pound great Jon Jones in a Fight of the Night and Fight of the Year classic in 2013, ultimately losing via unanimous decision despite many pundits scoring the bout for Gustafsson. Gustafsson was TKO’d by ‘Bones’ in this year’s championship rematch and then decided to retire following his subsequent loss to Smith.
Gustafsson retires with a professional record of 18-6 and, although never winning a UFC title, the fan favorite will be remembered as one of the greatest light heavyweights of all-time.