In addition to telling Swedish outlet Expressen he’s willing to wait years for a guaranteed title shot with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in Sweden, Alexander Gustafsson weighed in on his next likely opponent. In August, UFC president Dana White hinted at the prospect of Gustafsson keeping busy by fighting the resurgent Anthony Johnson, but the Swede isn’t impressed with ‘Rumble.’
“I have fought both worse and better opponents,” said Gustafsson. “Had that fight taken me somewhere I had been the first to accept.”
Johnson called Gustafsson out last week, saying there weren’t any other options available for either man and that it’s a fight the fans are ‘begging for.’
“Since his return to the UFC after being kicked, he has beaten Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, who passed its [expiration] date a long time ago, and Phil Davis,” said Gustafsson. “He needs at least a couple wins more.
“We are not in the playground anymore, it’s not about who is the toughest, it’s about my career, I want to have a long and successful career. You have to think tactically and you can’t just go in and swing against the first best opponent.”
Responding to Gustafsson’s comments, Johnson says play time is over.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Downgrading the paywall. Chuck Mindenhall explains how T.J. Dillashaw could have disintegrated Joe Soto with ‘red eye beams’ and it wouldn’t have mattered. ‘The fact that UFC 177 played out as decent entertainment is moot; the UFC in the PPV model mode is based on prospect, not retrospect.’
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains where T.J. Dillashaw, Tony Ferguson, Bethe Correia, Joe Soto and Diego Ferreira go from here following UFC 177.
‘I don’t care what he says.’ UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo isn’t phased by Dana White’s past criticisms. ‘He wants us to go in there and do our best without thinking about the consequences.’
Play the hits. Until recently, an MMA fan who was randomly assigned Rory MacDonald’s old phone number had been impersonating the fighter and sending UFC producers his walk-out music requests.
Under the bridge. Matt Major, Bellator veteran and former star of Tapout’s reality series, is working to overcome homelessness as he makes a comeback to MMA.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night Countdown: Jacare vs. Mousasi.
Joe Lauzon’s vlog.
Quick Curran vs Pitbull II breakdown from Jimmy Smith.
Warrior Code – Cat Zingano.
If you missed the story on Matt Major, check out this short video.
TTTHS.
Shinya Aoki vs. Kamal Shalorus at ONE FC 19.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #402: UFC 177, fan/media shame, Mike Goldberg + Bud Light
…
Submission Radio 31/8/14 Jim Ross, Dan Severn, Jason Parillo + UFC 177 Breakdown
TWEETS
Congrats. (Also, Khabib fans trolling mercilessly)
Congrats to champ Anthony Pettis for his new @Wheaties deal & for being the 1st UFC fighter to be on the Wheaties box http://t.co/wARKh8oKhh
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 2, 2014
This is huge for the sport!!! Thank you to everyone who voted…. December 6th I will silence the… http://t.co/Nh8Y8Bb00X
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) September 1, 2014
Labor day fun.
Happy Labor Day #rowdyrehab http://t.co/qfpB90dsro
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) September 1, 2014
At the National Aquatic Centre schooling Gunni Nelson and Lee Hammond on the art of proprioce… http://t.co/UXOElcrJG3 pic.twitter.com/VSPwDZga6N
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 1, 2014
What a great Labor Day! I got to play Baseball, Basketball & Volleyball with the kids at Indio Juvenile Hall #blessed pic.twitter.com/5BfSphQI9G
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 2, 2014
Great day on the lake wakeboarding with family and friends http://t.co/Li96ejUXCm pic.twitter.com/E0X18dnc6t
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) September 2, 2014
“@Mokbert: This is how brats are done! @Cowboycerrone pic.twitter.com/asrXl4m1ww” Hell ya
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 1, 2014
Uma ótima semana a todos!! #deontem #pooltime #norcal #norcallifestyle #teamgadelha #mmagirl #ufc #ufcgirl #vida pic.twitter.com/GKBOldaiCA
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) September 1, 2014
There you have it.
Overeem looks like he’s 230. #Nojuice
— THE BLACK BEAST (@Thebeast_ufc) September 2, 2014
Get well soon.
#onthemat #return2015 http://t.co/zOYOqvA5Wv pic.twitter.com/j2vt8UXnZK
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) September 2, 2014
Darnit surgery tmrw. can’t train for awhile, but going to try a fast/detox w/ meal replacement & perfect food by @gardenofliferaw
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) September 2, 2014
I spoke to @TeamKhabib yesterday and he told me that he weighs 195 lol and that he hurt his knee tore this new ligament, tore his LCA 🙂
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 31, 2014
Soto’s original opponent.
Wow so if this weekend couldn’t get more fu^%ed up we just got home to find we got robbed!!! When it rains it pours everything’s gone!
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) September 1, 2014
C’mon, Bowe.
Where those naked celebrities at? Thats whats up. Bowe
— Riddick Bowe (@riddickbowe) September 1, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 1 2014)
NA
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