With Anthony Johnson fight off the table for now, Alexander Gustafsson interested in Rashad Evans

Even though it appears as if a fight against Anthony Johnson is in serious jeopardy, don’t expect to see Alexander Gustafsson sit on the sidelines until he gets a title shot.

At Friday’s fan question-and-answer session in Stockholm, Sweden prior to the UFC Fight Night 53 weigh-ins, Gustafsson said he has no interest in waiting to fight the winner of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier.

“Well, the [Anthony] Johnson fight didn’t go as planned,” he said. “I really wanted that fight. Of course, I want that belt, that’s my goal, but I won’t stay and wait for that. I want to stay active, so I hope to get a fight before this year has ended or early next year.”

Johnson was suspended indefinitely two weeks ago following reports of alleged domestic abuse in his past. UFC president Dana White told reporters last week that a Gustafsson vs. Johnson fight was set for UFC on FOX 13 on Dec. 13, however, that is now off the table for the time being.

“That fight was done — it was going to be on FOX. Now it’s not done,” White said.

“Now you sit back and wait to see how this thing plays out in court. It doesn’t mean he’s definitely going to fight here, even if it goes his way.”

Two days later, on the UFC 178 post-fight show on Fox Sports 1, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who is recovering from a torn ACL and is hoping to return in Feb. 2015, expressed interested in fighting Gustafsson next.

“I’ve been very impressed with how [Gustafsson’s] development has gone,” Evans said.

“When I left, I was at the top and Alexander Gustafsson has been getting better with every single fight. Dana, set it up.”

On Friday, Gustafsson told UFC announcer Andy Friedlander that he liked that idea, as well.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if he was interested in facing Evans next. “I want to fight Rashad, too.”

Jones vs. Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title is scheduled to take place Jan. 3 in Las Vegas. Gustafsson was scheduled to rematch Jones on Sept. 27, but a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.

Even though it appears as if a fight against Anthony Johnson is in serious jeopardy, don’t expect to see Alexander Gustafsson sit on the sidelines until he gets a title shot.

At Friday’s fan question-and-answer session in Stockholm, Sweden prior to the UFC Fight Night 53 weigh-ins, Gustafsson said he has no interest in waiting to fight the winner of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier.

“Well, the [Anthony] Johnson fight didn’t go as planned,” he said. “I really wanted that fight. Of course, I want that belt, that’s my goal, but I won’t stay and wait for that. I want to stay active, so I hope to get a fight before this year has ended or early next year.”

Johnson was suspended indefinitely two weeks ago following reports of alleged domestic abuse in his past. UFC president Dana White told reporters last week that a Gustafsson vs. Johnson fight was set for UFC on FOX 13 on Dec. 13, however, that is now off the table for the time being.

“That fight was done — it was going to be on FOX. Now it’s not done,” White said.

“Now you sit back and wait to see how this thing plays out in court. It doesn’t mean he’s definitely going to fight here, even if it goes his way.”

Two days later, on the UFC 178 post-fight show on Fox Sports 1, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who is recovering from a torn ACL and is hoping to return in Feb. 2015, expressed interested in fighting Gustafsson next.

“I’ve been very impressed with how [Gustafsson’s] development has gone,” Evans said.

“When I left, I was at the top and Alexander Gustafsson has been getting better with every single fight. Dana, set it up.”

On Friday, Gustafsson told UFC announcer Andy Friedlander that he liked that idea, as well.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if he was interested in facing Evans next. “I want to fight Rashad, too.”

Jones vs. Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title is scheduled to take place Jan. 3 in Las Vegas. Gustafsson was scheduled to rematch Jones on Sept. 27, but a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.