After 15 years and 18 fights, former UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is leaving the promotion in search of greener pastures.
In a recent interview with Matias Andres of Maximum Sports, Alexander Gustafsson’s manager Majdi Shammas offered several important updates to his client’s career. First and foremost, Shammas revealed that Gustafsson asked for and was granted his UFC release.
“We asked the UFC to release Alex from his contract,” He explained. “They agreed, and we’re grateful for that.”
Gustafsson, age 37, hasn’t fought since a July 2022 defeat to Nikita Krylov (watch it). Despite ending his UFC run on a four-fight losing streak, the former three-time title challenger is still an appealing name for rival promotions. Notably, Shammas revealed that Gustafsson has signed a lucrative contract with Global Fight League, the upstart promotion swooping up UFC veterans like they’re going out of season.
“It’s a very attractive contract,” Shammas continued. “Alex is not locked to the GFL and he’s basically free to pick and choose and take on other kinds of bouts as well, which is great for us. There are a lot of interesting things that could come up along the way.”
He continued, “The GFL has given us a very appealing deal at this stage of our careers, and it’s simply the right time and the right place to strike a deal like this.”
In addition to the GFL contract, Shammas also revealed that Gustafsson has an offer from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), another promotion with a habit of recruiting ex-UFC talent. The deal is still unsigned, but per Shammas, Gustafsson will likely debut opposite another well-known ex-UFC or Bellator fighter.
“BKFC is interested and has offered us a great deal,” He concluded. “It is on the table. We haven’t signed yet, but we have discussed it and will most likely accept. Then Alex will get to face some UFC or Bellator veteran.”
Perhaps a new scene is exactly what Gustafsson requires to get back in the win column. The Swedish fighter hasn’t won since 2017, but that victory is arguably his best, a five-round shellacking of future champion Glover Teixeira. He’s only lost to top-ranked opposition in the years since, so not all hope is yet lost for the popular contender.