Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight fighter Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson (13-1) has seen his stock steadily rising with the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion, and when he was offered a fight against Antônio Rogério Nogueira (20-5) he didn’t think twice about accepting the fight.
It didn’t hurt that UFC officials also offered him the main event spot on the UFC on Fuel TV 2 card, and a chance to fight in front of his countrymen in Sweden this coming April.
It made fairly big news this past Tuesday night when it was revealed that former Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson had turned down the Nogueira fight, but it will make for even bigger news in Sweden now that Gustafsson is set to headline.
Speaking to mma media personality Mauro Ranallo on The MMA Show, Gustafsson couldn’t hold back his excitement for the bout.
(Hit play to listen to the podcast for the Jan. 12, 2012 show and scroll to the bottom to see the full guest list)
“It’s going to be sick. It’s going to be an awesome fight and I can’t wait to step into the cage,” Gustafsson said. “I’m super happy as it’s a big thing for me and Swedish MMA. It’s a dream for me to fight on home ground in front of all my fans here.”
And while Dan Henderson may have turned down a bout with Nogueira, stating he didn’t think it would be a fight the fans wanted to see, Gustafsson said he didn’t have to think twice about it.
“Nogueira is a legend,” the Swede said. “When I was a kid I saw him fighting, so for me it’s an honour fighting him and it’s even better that it’s on my home ground.”
“MMA is getting bigger here in Sweden and fans are starting to recognize me,” Gustafsson said. “But when the UFC comes here, it’s going to be a sold-0ut arena and it’s going to be even better.”
Gustafsson and Nogueira are set to square off at the UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Nogueira (aka UFC on Fuel TV 2) event, scheduled to take place on April 14, 2012 at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Also featured on the Jan. 12, 2012 MMA Show podcast besides Gustafsson was UFC featherweight Antonio Carvalho, Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, Tristar coach Firas Zahabi, Alliance MMA head trainer Eric Del Fierro, and AKA head trainer Bob Cook.