More than five years after their first fight Alexander Gustafsson says ‘the Jon Jones era is over’ at UFC 232. Neither light heavyweight has been too active since their first fight back in 2013. Gustafsson has had five fights since them, going 3-2 in the process. Jones has fought just four times in that stretch. […]
More than five years after their first fight Alexander Gustafsson says ‘the Jon Jones era is over’ at UFC 232.
Neither light heavyweight has been too active since their first fight back in 2013. Gustafsson has had five fights since them, going 3-2 in the process. Jones has fought just four times in that stretch.
Their first fight is widely considered the greatest title fight in UFC history. Next week Gus and Jones will finally have the rematch everyone has been waiting for. And again the light heavyweight title will be on the line.
Earlier today Gustafsson said this rematch is the fight he has been training for since their first fight. He said the chance to beat Jones is more important to him than the title itself.
“It’s a little bit of both, of course, but if I have to choose one, it’s the rematch,” Gustafsson told MMAjunkie. Fighting Jon Jones again, and it’s been five years since we fought – it’s the fight I’ve been wanting for a long time and dreaming about and training for all this time. All this time, I’ve been training for this fight. This is it. I’m preparing for him. Every session, I’ve prepared for him. That’s the best guy out there, and that’s the guy I’m beating.
“… I can’t want it more than this. It’s a dream fight, and that’s the thing that’s been pushing me the most. I want the biggest fights, fighting the best guys out there, and this is just the highlight. This is it.”
UFC 232 takes place Dec. 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
No. 1-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson put on a brilliant performance this past weekend (Sun., May 28, 2017), stopping No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in the fifth round of their UFC Fight Night 109 main event. Gustafsson’s movement was on point and his boxing, which was highlighted by a multitude of vicious uppercuts, was […]
No. 1-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson put on a brilliant performance this past weekend (Sun., May 28, 2017), stopping No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in the fifth round of their UFC Fight Night 109 main event. Gustafsson’s movement was on point and his boxing, which was highlighted by a multitude of vicious uppercuts, was crisp.
With the win, Gustafsson firmly established himself as a the division’s top contender, which will likely earn him a rematch with the winner of UFC 214’s title fight between champion Daniel Cormier and ex-champion and former pound-for-pound king Jon Jones.
“The Mauler” has previously done battle with both men, losing to Jones in a back-and-forth slug fest at UFC 165 in 2013 and dropping a split-decision to Cormier in another instant classic at UFC 192 in 2015.
As far as who he’d like to win in the upcoming title fight, Gustafsson recently said that he hopes Cormier comes out on top because he doesn’t view Jones as a good person.
To be fair, Jones has indeed had his issues outside of the cage, from drug test failures to legal issues that have kept him on the sidelines and had previously forced the UFC to strip him of his long held 205-pound title.
Either way, “Bones” recently took to Twitter to fire back at Gustafsson, taking a shot at “The Mauler’s” heart in the process:
Of course you are rooting for Daniel Gus, you might as well pray for him while you’re at it.
The light heavyweight division was once the UFC’s marquee weight class. Home to stars such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the 205 pounders once presented must see action for fight fans. That, however, is no longer the case. In fact, it’s far from it, as the light heavyweight division […]
The light heavyweight division was once the UFC’s marquee weight class. Home to stars such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the 205 pounders once presented must see action for fight fans. That, however, is no longer the case. In fact, it’s far from it, as the light heavyweight division has been struggling for quite some time now.
Jon Jones, the very best light heavyweight on the planet, has only competed once since January 2015 due to his own actions outside of the cage. Multiple drug test failures as well as legal issues have not only kept “Bones” out of action, but also caused the UFC to strip him of his long held light heavyweight strap in 2015.
Jones’ issues outside of the cage led former Olympian Daniel Cormier, who Jones beat quite handily at UFC 182, to seize an opportunity and secure the vacant 205-pound title at UFC 187 with a submission victory over Anthony Johnson. Since then, “DC” has defended the title just twice, beating No. 1-ranked Alexander Gustafsson in a five round war at UFC 192 and once again submitting Johnson, who retired after the rematch, at UFC 210 earlier this year.
Now, Cormier and Jones, two elite level athletes who possess one of the deepest rivalries the sport has ever seen, are finally scheduled to rematch at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Whether or not the rematch actually comes to fruition this time is of course up in the air, but it remains one of the most anticipated bouts the UFC could put on.
After that fight, however, the light heavyweight division appears to be quite dull, lacking in legitimate contenders and recognizable stars. In reality, it has seemed that the gap between Cormier, Jones and the rest of the division is simply too large for any legitimate threats to emerge. And that may be the case, but UFC Fight Night 109, which took place yesterday (May 28, 2017) from Stockholm, Sweden, certainly added new life to a division in desperate need of it.
The main event featured a pivotal bout between Gustafsson and No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira, with the winner likely earning himself a shot at the winner of UFC 214’s main event between Cormier and Jones. And the result? A one-sided showcase for Gustafsson in front of his hometown fans. “The Mauler”, using fluent movement and effortless combinations, picked the Brazilian apart with a barrage of brutal uppercuts and straight right hands, finally finishing off the resilient Teixeira with a vicious combination in the fifth and final round.
Photo by Per Haljestam for USA TODAY Sports.
In a year where not only the light heavyweight division is struggling, but the UFC as a whole is as well, the outcome of UFC Fight Night 109’s main event was likely a beneficial one for the UFC.
Sure, Gustafsson has lost to both Cormier and Jones, but his fights with both men were instant classics. “The Mauler” gave Jones the stiffest test of his career at UFC 165, pushing “Bones” to his limits in a five round slug fest. In fact, many still consider the bout to be the best title fight in divisional history and if it weren’t for a late comeback from Jones, the Swedish striker would’ve walked away with the title. The same could be said for Gustafsson’s fight with Cormier, as “The Mauler” had “DC” badly hurt before losing a closely contested split-decision.
The silver lining here is that a rematch between Gustafsson and either man would be an intriguing fight. Specifically, a rematch between Gustafsson and Jones, as it’s been clamored for for years now.
Perhaps the division is led by a three man race, but there are signs that things may be headed upward. For example, No. 5-ranked Volkan Oezdemir scored a brutal knockout victory over the previously surging Misha Cirkunov yesterday, calling out No. 3-ranked Jimi Manuwa, who’s scored back-to-back stoppage victories of his own, in the aftermath. Manuwa has also stirred up a rivalry with Cormier in recent memory.
In the end, UFC Fight Night 109 was a win for the light heavyweight division. With two huge rematches looming and a few contenders slowly emerging, the 205-pound class has gained some new life for the time being.
Whether or not this results in a complete resurrection for the division remains to be seen, but the light heavyweights could once again provide fight fans with an intriguing attraction in the near future.
No. 1-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson made a huge statement today (May 28, 2017), putting on a brilliant performance and stopping No. 2-ranked Glover Teixiera in the main event of UFC Fight Night 109 from his home of Stockholm, Sweden. With the win, Gustafsson, a two time title challenger, firmly established himself as […]
No. 1-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson made a huge statement today (May 28, 2017), putting on a brilliant performance and stopping No. 2-ranked Glover Teixiera in the main event of UFC Fight Night 109 from his home of Stockholm, Sweden.
Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
With the win, Gustafsson, a two time title challenger, firmly established himself as the next title challenger at 205 pounds. The title will next be defended at UFC 214 on July 29 when champion Daniel Cormier takes on ex-champion and former pound-for-pound king Jon Jones in a highly anticipated rematch. Gustafsson has done battle with both men, coming up just short against Jones at UFC 165 and Cormier at UFC 192.
A rematch between Gustafsson and either man would be a blockbuster showdown, but “The Mauler” considers Jones to be his ‘biggest enemy’:
“I don’t like him,” Gustafsson told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 109 post-fight press conference. “I give him that he’s the best fighter of all-time, the best pound-for-pound fighter of all divisions — of course, everybody knows that. He hasn’t even lost a fight yet, he demolishes everyone he fights. But as a person, he’s not a champion in my eyes. He’s not a good person in my eyes.
“That’s why I always tell the guys, ‘I hope that DC [Daniel Cormier] wins (at UFC 214) because I like the guy, he’s a worthy champion. So that’s what I mean when I say that he’s the biggest enemy of all-time.”
A rematch between Jones and Gustafsson has been long requested, although it has yet to come to fruition due to Jones’ issues outside of the cage and a few setbacks for “The Mauler” inside the cage.
No matter the outcome of UFC 214, however, Gustafsson says that he’ll be ready for either challenge:
“It’s all about the lost rounds,” Gustafsson said. “I’ve just been so close to winning the fights, I lose a little bit in the end, but we’ve changed our camp and our conditioning is on another level. Today, I’m not going to lose on the finish line again. It’s not going to happen. Today, I could go 10 rounds. I could go 10 rounds next time I fight DC or Jones.”
No. 1-ranked Alexander Gustafsson will headline UFC Fight Night 109 tomorrow (May 28, 2017) in a pivotal bout with No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. The UFC light heavyweight title will be on the line on July 29 when champion Daniel Cormier takes on bitter rival and ex-champion Jon Jones in […]
No. 1-ranked Alexander Gustafsson will headline UFC Fight Night 109 tomorrow (May 28, 2017) in a pivotal bout with No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. The UFC light heavyweight title will be on the line on July 29 when champion Daniel Cormier takes on bitter rival and ex-champion Jon Jones in a highly anticipated rematch.
With a win tomorrow, Gustafsson could earn himself a blockbuster title fight rematch, as he’s shared the Octagon with both Cormier and Jones, but right now he’s simply focused on Teixeira:
“It’s hard to say, man,” Gustafsson told MMAjunkie ahead of the FS1-televised headliner at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. “I haven’t talked to Dana or the UFC about that. But if I get it, I’ll be more than happy. And I’ll take the fight, no question about it.
“But right now, for me, it’s just the monster over here. That’s my focus right now. (Teixeira) is a tough guy, a lot of experience. He can fight wherever; he doesn’t care if he’s in his hometown or on enemy territory. He still fights, and he comes to beat me, so I have to have all my attention, all my focus on Glover.”
No. 3-ranked Jimi Manuwa, who’s coming off of an impressive stoppage victory over Corey Anderson, is also in the running for a title shot. Gustafsson holds a win over “Poster Boy”, but the two actually train together now and Gustafsson would be happy to see Manuwa receive the next title shot:
“I think we have a great relationship today,” Gustafsson said. “We’re good friends. And I hope he gets it. If I get it, I know he will say the same. As long as we’re training together and keep developing our game, it’s not going to be any problem at all. Whoever gets it – I’m just happy if he gets it, he’s happy for me if I get it.”
Either way, “The Mauler” is focused on one thing and that’s beating Teixeira. The former title challenger said he plans to use his length, speed and footwork ‘to get the W’:
“This guy is a brutal puncher with good takedown,” Gustafsson said. “He doesn’t know what taking a step back is. He just comes forward. That’s what he does no matter what. He doesn’t have any head movements, nothing, he just comes like a train on you.
“I’ve got to be prepared for his power, but I know with my length and my speed and my footwork, I’m going to get the W.”
Who do you expect to come out on top tomorrow in Stockholm?
This Sunday night (May 29, 2017), Alexander Gustafsson will face off with Glover Teixiera in the main event of UFC Fight Night 109 from the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Both men are top-ranked contenders, with Gustafsson sitting at No. 1 and Teixeira sitting at No. 2, and both men are clearly elite-level light heavyweights. […]
This Sunday night (May 29, 2017), Alexander Gustafsson will face off with Glover Teixiera in the main event of UFC Fight Night 109 from the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden.
Both men are top-ranked contenders, with Gustafsson sitting at No. 1 and Teixeira sitting at No. 2, and both men are clearly elite-level light heavyweights.
“The Mauler” made his UFC debut back in 2009 and has since gone 9-4, scoring six stoppage victories in the process. He holds pivotal victories over the likes of Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz and a win over Teixeira this weekend could very well earn him another 205-pound title shot.
Teixeira, on the other hand, has been in the UFC since 2012, amassing a 9-3 record in the Octagon. The Brazilian slugger holds notable victories over the likes of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Ryan Bader, Ovince Saint Preux and Rashad Evans. A win over Gustafsson could too earn him another title shot.
Each man’s resume speaks for itself, but the question here, however, pertains to the status of the light heavyweight division as well as the status of its top two contenders. In other words, does Gustafsson vs. Teixeira simply represent a battle of runner-ups?
Both men have had vast success in the UFC, but both men have also stumbled when nearing dangerously close to the pinnacle.
Gustafsson, for example, has competed in two UFC title fights to date. He took on then champion Jon Jones at UFC 165 in Sept. 2013 in what turned out to be one of the very best light heavyweight title fights of all-time. “The Mauler” pushed Jones to his limits, trading blows with “Bones” over the course of five rounds, while, at times, having him on the brink of defeat. In the end, however, Jones fought back to earn a decision victory.
Photo by Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
A similar situation, played out at UFC 192 last October when Gustafsson challenged Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight strap. Another five round war took place and “The Mauler” once again had his opponent in trouble, as he nearly finished Cormier in the third round. When the final bell rung, however, “DC” was given a split-decision victory, sending Gustafsson home empty handed once again.
Teixeira’s title fight history has played out a bit differently as opposed to “The Mauler’s”. Prior to his UFC 172 title fight with Jones, Teixeira had won an incredible 20 straight fights. He had run through every opponent put in front of him up until that point and was considered to be a legitimate threat to Jones’ strap. That proved to be untrue, however, as “Bones” dominated the Brazilian over the course of five rounds to earn a decision victory. Since then, Teixeira has gone 4-2, with three of those victories coming by way of stoppage.
As far as the division goes, the title will be on the line on July 29 when Cormier faces off with Jones for a second time in the main event of UFC 214. The fight is expected to be amongst the biggest of the year and the winner of the bout could end up facing off with the winner of the fight between Gustafsson and Teixeira – but will it matter?
As history has shown, both Gustafsson and Teixeira have established themselves as legitimate contenders, but when matched up against the division’s top dogs in Cormier and Jones, they have fell short.
With that being said, are Gustafsson and Teixeira simply battling for second place?
