UFC light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson returned with a hard-fought victory at UFC Fight Night 93. Facing the underdog Jan Blachowicz in the Hamburg, Germany-based co-main event, the Swedish brawler ended up in one of his trademark wars. His Polish opponent actually started off very well. Gus had to deal with a swollen eye in the
UFC light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson returned with a hard-fought victory at UFC Fight Night 93. Facing the underdog Jan Blachowicz in the Hamburg, Germany-based co-main event, the Swedish brawler ended up in one of his trademark wars. His Polish opponent actually started off very well. Gus had to deal with a swollen eye in the early exchanges from a neat 1-2 combo. In typical fashion, Gustafsson fought through the adversity to score a shut out victory.
Having lost two in a row to Anthony Johnson and Daniel Cormier, Gus needed a win badly in Hamburg. The story of the fight included multiple take downs, plenty of top control and some savage elbows. It wasn’t the clean-cut finish that many of his fans had hoped for, but Gustafsson got the win nonetheless. Following his unanimous decision victory over Blachowicz, obvious questions about Gus’ immediate future have arisen.
What’s Next For Gus?
Speaking during the UFC Fight Night 93 post fight presser, Swedish fan favorite Alexander Gustafsson spoke about his goals after beating Jan Blachowicz. As quoted by MMAJunkie.com:
“I just take one fight at a time right now. Let’s see what the next challenge is. Honestly, I don’t really care that much. I’m just staying focused and getting that ‘W’ and getting back to winning again. It’s been a tough last year.”
Rebounding from the gritty loss to Cormier and harrowing KO defeat against ‘Rumble,’ Gustafsson remains realistic about his aspirations at 205 pounds. Given the traffic jam at the top of the division, a number one contender fight could well be up next.
“I feel great being back in the octagon again and competing again. Let’s see what the challenge is and what’s next, what opponent they want for me. Of course, my big focus and goal is to be a contender again and compete for that championship belt again.”
Potential Fights
As mentioned, Jon Jones, ‘DC’ and Johnson need to iron out a few creases at the title end of light-heavyweight. One obvious burner for Gus to look at next is a scrap with Ryan Bader. ‘Darth’ made a victorious return at UFC Hamburg too, starching Gustafsson’s team-mate Ilir Latifi with a highlight reel knockout.
Following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 93 event in Hamburg, Germany, UFC Light Heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson took part in a backstage interview.
Featured above is the post-fight interview with Gustafsson, w…
https://youtu.be/0gGY75Pv8y4
Following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 93 event in Hamburg, Germany, UFC Light Heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson took part in a backstage interview.
Featured above is the post-fight interview with Gustafsson, who defeated Jan Blachowicz via decision at the event in Germany this weekend.
After Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 93 event in Hamburg, Germany, UFC held their official UFN 93 post-fight press conference.
Featured above is a complete video archive of the post-presser, which featured Josh Barnett, A…
https://youtu.be/nackLupwHd8
After Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 93 event in Hamburg, Germany, UFC held their official UFN 93 post-fight press conference.
Featured above is a complete video archive of the post-presser, which featured Josh Barnett, Alexander Gustafsson, Ryan Bader and other winners from Saturday’s big show.
Coming off of his split decision loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 192 for the 205-pound strap, two time light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson made his long-awaited Octagon return tonight (September 3, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 93, when he took on his Polish counterpart Jan Blachowicz. In the opening moments of the first
Coming off of his split decision loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 192 for the 205-pound strap, two time light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson made his long-awaited Octagon return tonight (September 3, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 93, when he took on his Polish counterpart Jan Blachowicz.
In the opening moments of the first round it seemed as if Blachowicz may have had the Swede’s number in the stand-up department, however, ‘The Mauler’ quickly took the contest to the ground and implemented a strong top game.
The second round was no different, as Gustafsson once again took the fight to the ground in order to display a dominant top game in which he cut Blachowicz on the top of the head with some nasty ground-and-pound.
Gustafsson would seal the deal en-route to a unanimous decision victory over Blachowicz, with another takedown in the third round as he would hold down the ‘Prince of Cieszyn’ until the final horn of the contest.
Check out the video highlights of Gustafsson’s wrestling-based win starting at the 1:20 mark of his post-fight interview right here:
Going into his co-main event bout against Jan Blachowicz (19-6) at UFC Fight Night 93, Alexander Gustafsson (17-4) lost three of his last four bouts. In most cases that would spell doom for a fighter, but “The Mauler” came up short against three of the best 205-pounders in the world. On this night (Sept. 3,
Going into his co-main event bout against Jan Blachowicz (19-6) at UFC Fight Night 93, Alexander Gustafsson (17-4) lost three of his last four bouts. In most cases that would spell doom for a fighter, but “The Mauler” came up short against three of the best 205-pounders in the world.
On this night (Sept. 3, 2016) in Hamburg, Germany Gustafsson earned his first win since March 2014.
Gustafsson landed a low kick and Blachowicz went for an overhand right. A right hand connected for Blachowicz. An overhand left found the mark for “The Mauler.” The Polish bruiser escaped the clinch of Gustafsson. The Swedish fighter once again went for a clinch and pressed his opponent against the fence.
They separated and Blachowicz landed a knee to the body and an uppercut. Gustafsson kept finding himself on the wrong end of one-two combinations. “The Mauler” took his opponent down. Blachowicz went for an armbar, but it was stuffed. An elbow connected for the former title contender. The horn sounded with Gustafsson in top control.
Blachowicz wasted little time landing a right hand. The two exchanged and Gustafsson landed a hook of his own. “The Mauler” earned a double leg takedown. Blood trickled down the head of Blachowicz thanks to some elbows. Gustafsson kept raining down elbows and Blachowicz couldn’t find a way to stand back up. The Polish fighter went for an armbar, but he couldn’t get it. The second stanza ended with Gustafsson on top.
Immediately, Blachowicz tried to get something going in the final round. A right hand landed for “The Mauler.” Blachowicz pushed forward and landed a right hand. Gustafsson decided he had enough of the stand up and scored another takedown. Gustafsson postured up and landed a right hand. He went to pass guard, but couldn’t do so. Referee Marc Goddard stood both men back up, but “The Mauler” quickly earned a single leg takedown. Swelling formed on Blachowicz’s face. The final horn sounded and the result was a no-brainer.
Final Result: Alexander Gustafsson def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tomorrow (Sat., September 3, 2016) longtime heavyweight veterans Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett will look to rebound from recent losses in the main event of UFC Fight Night 93 from the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Former champion Arlovski is coming off of two straight knockouts to current title fight participants Stipe Miocic and Alistair
Tomorrow (Sat., September 3, 2016) longtime heavyweight veterans Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett will look to rebound from recent losses in the main event of UFC Fight Night 93 from the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Former champion Arlovski is coming off of two straight knockouts to current title fight participants Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem, while fellow former champion Barnett is coming off a submission loss to Ben Rothwell. In the co-main event, former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafson will seek to snap a two-fight skid against Poland’s Jan Blachowicz.
Find out who we picked to win below.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Josh Barnett:
Mike Drahota:
This is a closely matched affair where the winner will most likely be the man who can most effectively impose their contrasting gameplan. The higher-ranked Arlovski is actually a betting underdog at +130 according to BigOnSports.com, with Barnett coming in at as the -150 favorite.
Although he’s undergone a career resurgence in the past two years, that has faded a bit for Arlvoski in his past two fights. Barnett will obviously be looking to get the fight to the ground to implement his elite catch-wrestling skills, but I think it may be his striking that might win the day with the Belarusian’s chin falling a bit. I’m going with Barnett by first round TKO.
Rory Kernaghan:
Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett are both legends of the sport, but father time is knocking at both their doors. In this fight I believe positioning will be key, and Barnett perhaps has the bigger advantage in that respect. If they stay standing I’d bet the farm on ‘The Pitbull,’ but I don’t see ‘Warmaster’ allowing that to happen. As sad as it is to say, I feel Arlovski’s second wind has passed, and he’ll be on the losing end of this scrap. I’m calling Barnett by submission in round two.
Mike Henken:
The main event will feature a battle between two former UFC heavyweight champions, but in my opinion, both men are nearing the tail end of their careers. Arlovski has lost back-to-back fights to the likes of reigning champion Stipe Miocic and current title challenger Alistair Overeem.
It’s also important to note that both of those losses came by way of stoppage which may be an alarming sign regarding Arlovski’s chin at this point in his career. Barnett, on the other hand, has lost two of his last three including a knockout loss to Travis Browne and a submission loss to Rothwell. This fight is a toss-up for me and I could see it going either way, but I feel as if the “Pitbull” will get the job done here. Arlovski by unanimous decision.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jan Blachowicz:
Mike Drahota:
This fight is tough to label anything but a squash match for “The Mauler” against the unranked Blachowicz after fighting the absolute cream of the light heavyweight crop for the better part of the last four years.
Gustafsson is rightfully coming as a huge -585 favorite according to BigOnSports, and I think that might not even be enough. Gustafsson by first round knockout.
Rory Kernaghan:
Alexander Gustafsson has to be the betting favourite in this fight. Jan Blachowicz is a good fighter, but he’s never fought anyone near the calibre of ‘The Mauler.’ The Polish man is not really dangerous in terms of KO power, but he does have a solid ground game. In my mind, its a squash match. Gus needs to get back on track, and he’ll do so with dominance in this match. The Swede is far more well rounded, has better striking and defense, and has consistently faced better fighters throughout his career. I think the punches will get it done early on, look out for the uppercut, as Gustafsson KOs Blachowicz in round one.
Mike Henken:
This was an extremely easy pick for. In the most respectful way possible, I simply don’t feel as if Blachowicz belongs in the Octagon with Gustafsson. The Polish contender has solid submission skills, but he will be going up against one of the best 205-pounders in the world here. “The Mauler”, despite coming up short in his two title fights, should be able to score victory here. Gustafsson by first round knockout.
