As you might imagine, Alexander Gustafsson wasn’t impressed with Monday’s display between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and top contender Daniel Cormier. Slated to face one another in the main event of UFC 178 on Sept. 27, Jones and Cormier captivated the MMA world with their shoving match at a media event being held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“What can I say? I think it’s childish at this level,” Gustafsson told Swedish TV SVT Sport (via Google translate). “We are all professional and must be shown by example and represent the sport as best we can. Just think it’s ridiculous.”
Gustafsson says Jones can be ‘annoying,’ but that his behavior hasn’t gotten to him.
“Yes, if you are receptive to such so far,” said Gustafsson. “But he has never managed to come so just around me. I have never been affected by anything like that.”
Undergoing a procedure to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee Tuesday, Gustafsson is anxious for another shot at Jones. Gustafsson dropped a close decision to Jones at UFC 165 this past September and was booked to challenge for the title again before being replaced by Cormier.
“I really want to have a title, have a chance again on the belt,” said Gustafsson. “That’s where my focus lies. It is my goal but right now my thoughts on becoming as strong as possible.
“I was very disappointed. A match against Jon Jones is something I really want. Everyone knows, everyone wants to see the game. It was certainly a setback.”
UFC 178 takes place Sept. 27 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Brawl aftermath. Dave Doyle gathers insight from Jones, Cormier, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier following Monday’s brawl in Las Vegas. ‘I went and looked to find a wall or something I could put my back up against, just in case Conor tried to start anything and or come up from behind.’ – Poirier
Q&A. The mind games between Jones and Cormier took a weird turn Tuesday when the pair took the stage to field the fans’ questions. ‘I’m going to smother you with my big fat belly.’ – Cormier
Trouble. Responding to the NSAC, Chael Sonnen’s legal team is doing its best to keep him in the headliner at Metamoris 4.
The Mexicutioner. Joey Beltran will somehow face Emanuel Newton for the light heavyweight title at Bellator 124.
Sell it. Ronda Rousey assures us that Gina Carano remains her toughest matchup. ‘And out of all of the women in MMA, Gina has the best feel for distance and timing. That’s not something you lose because you made a couple of movies. You’ll always have that. And she was the first girl I ever saw that had a one-punch standing knockout.’
MEDIA STEW
UFC 178 Media Tour: Q&A Fan Event in Los Angeles.
Jones tells Cormier he hopes he didn’t harm the unborn child growing in his belly, because he’s heavy, you see.
Free fight: Bigfoot vs. Overeem.
Anthony Bourdain discusses his new novel Pain Don’t Hurt.
Don’t quit you day job, Luke.
True Hollywood Stories with Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
Long watches.
Eddie Bravo Radio – Episode 65 – Dean Lister
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Hour 2 of Jay Mohr Sports! Daniel Cormier comes to the studio to talk to Jay about the UFC. Jon “Bones” Jones also joins the show. (Skip to 17:00)
TWEETS
Strange.
Well I’m unemployed that sucks
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) August 5, 2014
Not my choice guys but going from being exited at the prospects of the future of fighting to being unemployed in a day lol this sucks
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) August 5, 2014
@J_R_H_P_97 Hell NO Mark Hunt isn’t cut
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 5, 2014
@Chubfishswe @ufc that’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 5, 2014
Still fighting Sept 20 @ufc because if not I will be pi$ed that I got dressed up for nothing.@lunarpages… http://t.co/95DuUSQRcZ
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) August 6, 2014
Get well soon.
Done, just woke up! Never been more motivated my friends!
#poorsholler
Guys, honestly I couldn’t sleep last night. All I can think about is shouldn’t @Sholler_UFC be on @SportsCenter not top 10 🙂
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 5, 2014
Have you received your fruit basket yet? #poorSholler lol
Congrats and thanks.
I’m retiring from pro mma.I would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout this journey. Onto the next chapter.
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) August 6, 2014
Random gym.
Walked into a random gym in L.A tonight and @eddiebravo was coaching!! A great experience with some solid guys!! pic.twitter.com/YJj35VTIwu
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 6, 2014
Axe money.
Seja sempre confiante, este é o segredo. #axebrasil pic.twitter.com/vkWA6gdnF0
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) August 6, 2014
Ankle beef.
Hey @TheJamesKrause what do u say we do it again dec 13th on fox. I feel confident about my defense to the ankle break technique! @ufc #ufc
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 6, 2014
@TheJamesKrause @ufc well I guess it should be an easy payday right? December 13th in phx, The better fighter will win with out question.
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 6, 2014
The struggle.
deleted Fb 4 now,had 700k fans but my post only reached like6% they want u2pay2 post! 3things should be free sex,water,and 2 post things
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) August 5, 2014
Is that? Uh, yup… That’s throw up… All over my head and neck. @ Lauzon Mixed Martial Arts http://t.co/YokmuGB9TG
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) August 5, 2014
Oh @MaxedOutHair what is your creation going to look like this time?! 😀 pic.twitter.com/oyMNKEz1zG
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) August 5, 2014
I just accidentally over heard my roommates girl of the night yell “slap me” from his bedroom ….some guys get all the luck
— Zach Underwood (@Thunderwood01) August 6, 2014
I’ve always criticized the decisions and moves Jerry Jones has made but he finally made a move I can agree with. pic.twitter.com/33lik6OhjI
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 6, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 5 2014)
Emanuel Newton vs. Joey Beltran at Bellator 124
Ryan Ford vs. Jake Shields at WSOF 14
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DROCK10.
Sport or Spectacle? What we should take away from the Jones/DC debacle
I’ve read countless comments lamenting the actions of Jones & DC at the 178 media conference. Some blaming Jones for initiating contact, others DC for the escalation, but the theme everyone seems to agree on is that it shouldn’t have happened. There seems to be this expectation or belief that somehow MMA is a sport comprised of individuals who all share a degree of professional upbringing and pedigree. They seem to believe MMA is somehow divorced from its roots and is simply a showing of two athletes putting their talents on display; but this just couldn’t be further from the truth.
Fighting is not simply a set of tactics that two athletes employ, it is a philosophy, often closely related to the culture and social climate it formed in. MMA was born out of the question: “which martial art is superior?”. Just consider that question for a minute. It’s not a logical question, it’s a pride question. This sport was born out of the raw pride and animalistic tendency that drives two guys to gut it out in a sand pit so one can say I’m better than you. At the end of the day, all the honor, focus and discipline ends in the same place, in the same way; two guys beating each other up until one quits or gets saved by the ref.
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