In what was ultimately a hazardous detour back to a title shot, Alexander not only passed with flying colors in his main event spot against Jimi Manawa at UFC Fight Night 37 in London, he lined his pockets with cash in the process.
The Swedish No. 1 contender took home $100,000 after his first round TKO of Manuwa, $50,000 of which was for the newly updated Performance of the Night. He and Manuwa also won Fight of the Night honors, which was also for $50,000 apiece.
The victory sets Gustafsson up in another light heavyweight title shot against winner of Glover Teixeira and Jon Jones, who fight on April 26 at UFC 172 in Baltimore. Jones and Gustafsson fought at UFC 165 this past September in Toronto, in what many considered the fight of the year. Should Jones get by Teixeira, the challenger is ready for his redo.
“Jon Jones, I want my title shot again,” Gustafsson told Dan Hardy in the cage afterwards. “Whatever you want. Whatever you want.”
Also taking home Performance of the Night honors was Iceland’s Gunnar Nelson, who once again coolly disposed of the man in front of him. This time it was against Russian fighter Omari Akhmedov, who was making his second appearance in the Octagon. Nelson (12-0-1) finished the fight at the 4:36 mark of the first round via guillotine choke.
Nelson, too, took home $50,000 extra for his showing.