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Alexander Gustafsson is putting retirement on ice.
It looks like Alexander Gustafsson is putting retirement on hold.
The Swedish fighter suggested his fourth-round submission loss to Anthony Smith would be his last fight, but Gustafsson admits he may have jumped the gun. “It came quite fast,” he told MMA Viking. “I was home for a couple days, and I had itching in my hands and wanted to get back and train… “I just want to train and get into shape. Let’s see how it goes.”
Gustafsson (18-6) could foresee a bout against another light-heavyweight coming off a loss, Luke Rockhold (16-5) is reportedly recovering from a broken jaw suffered in a knockout loss to Jan B?achowicz at UFC 239. “[I] would love a fight,” Gustafsson said. “A fight against Luke would be a great way to come back. He is a tough guy, a legend.” He called the Rockhold fight a “good payday.”
In the meantime, “The Mauler” is deserving some well-deserved time with his loved ones. “I’m about 240-245 lbs. I’m a heavyweight right now” he teased. “I’ve had a good time with family and friends. It has been a good two and half months.”
Gustafsson holds wins in the Octagon over Glover Teixeira, “Shogun” Rua, Jimi Manuwa and suffered razor-thin decision losses to Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.