Tag: Alexander Gustafsson

Alexander Gustafsson Ends Retirement, Will Fight At Heavyweight

Alexander GustafssonLong-time light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson will end his retirement and move up to the heavyweight division according to a report from Combate. The Swedish puncher previously called it a day in 2019 after suffering back-to-back stoppage defeats against Jon Jones and Anthony Smith. According to the Combate report, Gustafsson is hoping to compete on the […]

Alexander Gustafsson

Long-time light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson will end his retirement and move up to the heavyweight division according to a report from Combate. The Swedish puncher previously called it a day in 2019 after suffering back-to-back stoppage defeats against Jon Jones and Anthony Smith.

According to the Combate report, Gustafsson is hoping to compete on the ‘Fight Island’ card expected to be headlined by Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker on July 25. The 33-year-old will be stepping up in weight for his return and is expected to face former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, although former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux is another possibility.

Werdum has just returned to action following a two-year ban from the sport imposed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. The Brazilian lost in his comeback fight against Alexey Oleinik, by unanimous decision. Nevertheless, he remains a big name in the division after capturing the belt by beating Cain Velasquez in 2015 before surrendering his crown to current heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic in his first title defence.

‘OSP’ has long been a staple on the UFC’s light-heavyweight division. He recently stepped up to heavyweight to face Ben Rothwell at UFC Jacksonville on May. St-Preux looked unconvinving in his heavyweight debut losing the fight by split decision. Many believed he wouldn’t stick around at the higher weight-class but it appears he would be willing to do so for a fight with Gustafsson.

Can Alexander Gustafsson become a UFC champion at heavyweight?

Report: Alexander Gustafsson Ends Retirement, Returns Against Fabricio Werdum

Alexander Gustafsson has ended his retirement. Following his submission loss to Anthony Smith last June, Gustafsson retired from the sport. Yet, many thought it would not be permanent and now, according to Combate, he will indeed end his brief retireme…

Alexander Gustafsson has ended his retirement. Following his submission loss to Anthony Smith last June, Gustafsson retired from the sport. Yet, many thought it would not be permanent and now, according to Combate, he will indeed end his brief retirement. Gustafsson will be moving to heavyweight where he will be fighting former UFC heavyweight champion, […]

The post Report: Alexander Gustafsson Ends Retirement, Returns Against Fabricio Werdum appeared first on MMA News.

Alexander Gustafsson Still Has ‘Couple More Years’ Left In MMA

GustafssonFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is not done with the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). Gustafsson announced his shock retirement from the sport last summer following a submission defeat to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. However, just a couple of months later, the Swede had a change of heart as he […]

Gustafsson

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is not done with the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Gustafsson announced his shock retirement from the sport last summer following a submission defeat to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. However, just a couple of months later, the Swede had a change of heart as he considered a return and expressed an interest in facing Luke Rockhold.

There has been no major update since but in a recent interview, Gustafsson confirmed that things were looking good when it comes to an Octagon comeback:

“I’m (going to be) honest with you: I’m 33 years old and I feel like I’ve got a couple more years in me,” Gustafsson told MMA Junkie. “I just have to do it correctly this time, and I was actually looking to go to America before this coronavirus (expletive) happened – to go there and train just to get the feeling again and change the environment. I can’t give a yes or a no, but I’m training and it feels good.”

“The Mauler” has exclusively trained in Sweden in recent years though he did have stints at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California, in the past.

Before a return can come to fruition, Gustafsson hopes to travel Stateside again and only make a decision afterwards:

“I remember that feeling to get away and get that focus in and get that tunnel-vision and go against guys that are actually better than you,” Gustafsson said. “It’s not about age in this sport. It’s about having fun and to keep evolving. I feel like I need to get out there in the deep waters again and test my skills against many guys and get better as a fighter, then see what’s next.”

Gustafsson’s last win was a knockout over Glover Teixeira back in May 2017. In total, he is 2-4 in his last six fights with two of them being failed attempts at the light heavyweight title.

Do you want to see Gustafsson back in action soon?

Alexander Gustafsson Still Has ‘Couple More Years’ Left In MMA

GustafssonFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is not done with the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). Gustafsson announced his shock retirement from the sport last summer following a submission defeat to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. However, just a couple of months later, the Swede had a change of heart as he […]

Gustafsson

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is not done with the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Gustafsson announced his shock retirement from the sport last summer following a submission defeat to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. However, just a couple of months later, the Swede had a change of heart as he considered a return and expressed an interest in facing Luke Rockhold.

There has been no major update since but in a recent interview, Gustafsson confirmed that things were looking good when it comes to an Octagon comeback:

“I’m (going to be) honest with you: I’m 33 years old and I feel like I’ve got a couple more years in me,” Gustafsson told MMA Junkie. “I just have to do it correctly this time, and I was actually looking to go to America before this coronavirus (expletive) happened – to go there and train just to get the feeling again and change the environment. I can’t give a yes or a no, but I’m training and it feels good.”

“The Mauler” has exclusively trained in Sweden in recent years though he did have stints at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California, in the past.

Before a return can come to fruition, Gustafsson hopes to travel Stateside again and only make a decision afterwards:

“I remember that feeling to get away and get that focus in and get that tunnel-vision and go against guys that are actually better than you,” Gustafsson said. “It’s not about age in this sport. It’s about having fun and to keep evolving. I feel like I need to get out there in the deep waters again and test my skills against many guys and get better as a fighter, then see what’s next.”

Gustafsson’s last win was a knockout over Glover Teixeira back in May 2017. In total, he is 2-4 in his last six fights with two of them being failed attempts at the light heavyweight title.

Do you want to see Gustafsson back in action soon?

Jon Jones Thinks First Gustafsson Fight Was More Difficult Than Reyes

Jon JonesJon Jones is still the UFC’s light heavyweight champion of the world. Jones put his title on the line against Dominick Reyes in the UFC 247 pay-per-view (PPV) main event from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The fight went all five rounds in what was an instant classic. However, when it was all said […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones is still the UFC’s light heavyweight champion of the world.

Jones put his title on the line against Dominick Reyes in the UFC 247 pay-per-view (PPV) main event from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The fight went all five rounds in what was an instant classic. However, when it was all said and done, the Texas judges awarded Jones the unanimous decision victory. This was much to the disappointment of the mixed martial arts (MMA) community, who largely felt that Reyes did enough to get the nod.

With that being said, no one can deny that it was one of the hardest fights Jones has ever been a part of. However, it isn’t the most difficult he’s ever been a part of, according to Jones himself. Speaking to Aaron Bronsteter after the event, Jones said he thinks his first fight with Alexander Gustafsson in 2013 was more difficult.

“I think the first Gustafsson fight, honestly,” Jones said. “Just based on – well it’s hard to base it on anything, I haven’t seen the fight yet. But I would say the first Gustafsson fight was a little bit tougher.”

Reyes came out very fast against Jones, throwing hard shots and fighting very aggressively. The strategy seemingly worked well, but as Jones pointed out, Reyes showed his hand early, and he began to deal with things a lot better as the fight went on.

“Yeah, he did, but he also showed me what his best weapons were, and as you saw the fight go on, I started to deal with them a lot better,” Jones said.

The fight was undoubtedly close, and Jones was well aware. However, he also knew that the takedowns he landed in the fight, and the fact that he ran away with the fifth and final round, should’ve been well reflected on the scorecards and earned him the victory.

“I honestly didn’t know, I knew it was close, but I knew my takedowns had to count form something,” Jones said. “Takedowns, we know, aren’t always the most exciting thing, but they’re big points in MMA. And at one point I had his back with a hook in. I took him down to his butt on more than one occasion. At least two or three times, the fifth round was so one-sided. I feel good about the win, I just can’t wait to see it.”

There has been a lot of talk about an immediate rematch between the pair given the scoring controversy and how close the fight was. Jones said he won’t be able to make a determination on that until he has sat back and seen the fight.

“It’ll be easier to say that after I watch the fight.”

What do you think about Jones’ comment that his first fight with Alexander Gustafsson was more difficult than his fight with Reyes?

Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones’ First Alexander Gustafsson Win Proved Him As ‘Toughest’ Fighter In World

Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson put on one of the greatest UFC title fights of all time back in 2013. After five rounds in the UFC 165 main event, Jones was awarded the unanimous decision win. However, many spectators argue that Gustafsson should’ve won the fight. With that being said, both men undoubtedly showed the […]

The post Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones’ First Alexander Gustafsson Win Proved Him As ‘Toughest’ Fighter In World appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson put on one of the greatest UFC title fights of all time back in 2013. After five rounds in the UFC 165 main event, Jones was awarded the unanimous decision win. However, many spectators argue that Gustafsson should’ve won the fight. With that being said, both men undoubtedly showed the heart of a champion in that bout.

Recently, Chael Sonnen took to “The Ariel Helwani MMA Show” to discuss Jones, who was talked about as, arguably, the best fighter of the past decade. Sonnen explained why Jones’ performance against Gustafsson solidified him as the best and toughest fighter in the world (H/T BJPenn.com)

“That was one of the nights when everybody else that wanted to fight Jon Jones, everybody in that division stood back and goes ‘Oh no,’” Sonnen said. “Cause here was the belief in Jon Jones, we recognized he was the best fighter. So then the question was, well is he the toughest? 

“If it’s true that he’s partying like he admits, if it’s true he’s not in the gym and focused and training as his teammates will state behind his back, then it must also be true that should this fight go long and gritty and dirty, he simply can’t hold up, that’s just logic. False. 

“Turned out Jon Jones was the best fighter and the toughest fighter. And you never have to be both, you can win world Olympic titles either being the best or the toughest. Nobody is ever both. Jon Jones proved how tough he is in that fight with Gus.”

Jones and Gustafsson ran things back five years later, where “Bones” won the bout via third-round TKO. Now, Jones will defend his light heavyweight title yet again in the UFC 247 main event against Dominick Reyes on February 8.

What do you think about Sonnen dubbing Jones the best and toughest fighter in the world after his win over Gustafsson?

The post Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones’ First Alexander Gustafsson Win Proved Him As ‘Toughest’ Fighter In World appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.