Alexander Gustafsson couldn’t help but praise Daniel Cormier for his knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226.
Despite Alexander Gustafsson being one of Daniel Cormier’s biggest rivals in the light heavyweight division, ‘The Mauler’ had no problem giving credit to ‘DC’ after his historic win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226.
Speaking to Luke Thomas on a recent edition of The MMA Hour, Gustafsson said Cormier did ‘great’ and is probably better suited for the heavyweight division.
“He did great. I’m impressed. I was impressed by the way he finished Stipe and how he won the fight. I’m very impressed by the guy, he did great,” Gustafsson said, per MMA Fighting’s Peter Carroll.
“I think he’s better at heavyweight than he is at light heavyweight. I think he’s stronger, he can eat and he doesn’t have to stress about the weight. I think he’ll do even better as a heavyweight. I had a feeling he’d win the fight, but just the way he finished [the fight] — it’s probably the wrong thing to say, but he made it look easy.”
Cormier, who edged out a split decision win over Gustafsson in a Fight of the Night classic at UFC 192, KO’d Miocic in the first round to become the promotion’s first ever simultaneous light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.
Many were surprised with the knockout, including Gustafsson, who said Cormier doesn’t hit as hard at 205-pounds.
“[Cormier’s punching power] wasn’t that bad [when we fought],” Gustafsson said. “I don’t remember him punching me that hard. I’ve been fighting guys that punch way harder, but he’s a very hard worker. He keeps pressuring and he keeps throwing punches. He’s really good with his wrestling and he doesn’t stop working in a fight — I think that’s his biggest strength.”
While Gustafsson would like a championship rematch with Cormier, the former Olympic wrestler has been set up for a heavyweight showdown with WWE-UFC crossover Brock Lesnar, who squared off with Cormier in the Octagon last Saturday. The 39-year-old has also teased at defending his light heavyweight title against Shogun Rua.