Alexander Gustafsson News

Referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones "would have lost his world title if I wasn't doing his fight at UFC 165"
Christopher Taylor - June 25, 2020
Veteran mixed martial arts referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones would have lost his world title at UFC 165 if it were not for him. Jones (26-1 MMA) squared off with Alexander Gustafsson for the first time at the September 2013 pay-per-view event in Toronto, which resulted in arguably the greatest light heavyweight contest in mixed martial arts history.

Alexander Gustafsson flaunts new heavyweight physique, has "never felt so strong"
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is looking healthy and happy as prepares for his debut in the heavyweight division. Apparently, he’s feeling great, too. Gustafsson will make his debut in the UFC heavyweight division on July 25 at a Fight Night event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. He’ll be welcomed to the weight class by the former champion, Brazil’s Fabricio Werdum.

Alexander Gustafsson reveals targeted weight for heavyweight debut
Tom Taylor - June 15, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson has revealed his targeted weight for his heavyweight debut against Fabricio Werdum. Gustafsson will battle Werdum, the former heavyweight champion, on July 25 in Abu Dhabi. He expects to weigh around 231lbs in the Octagon.

Alexander Gustafsson has bad intentions for Fabricio Werdum: "I will go in there to maul his face"
Chris Taylor - June 13, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustaffson will be ending his retirement for a heavyweight bout with Fabricio Werdum. ‘The Mauler’ had announced his retirement from fighting shortly after his submission loss to Anthony Smith in June of 2019.

Alexander Gustafsson explains origins of famous hospital photo with Jon Jones
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson recently explained how his famous hospital photo with Jon Jones after UFC 165 came to be. Jones and Gustafsson fought tooth-and-nail in an absolute classic in the main event of UFC 165. At the time Jones was running through everyone in his path and few believed Gustafsson would be able to give the champ a run for his money. But Gustafsson took Jones to deep waters and came closer to beating him than anyone else at that time, ultimately losing a unanimous decision in the best fight of 2013.

Ilir Latifi believes teammate Alexander Gustafsson will fight again 'very soon'
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2020
Ilir Latifi expects Alexander Gustafsson to fight again soon. Shortly after Gustafsson was submitted by Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC Stockholm he announced his retirement. Yet many thought the Swede would come back and a few months later he revealed he is considering a return.

Dana White confirms discussions are underway for Alexander Gustafsson comeback
Natasha Hooper - November 6, 2019
Dana White says that Alexander Gustafsson plans on coming out of retirement to fight again. The Swedish fighter last fought in June when he was defeated by Anthony Smith via fourth-round submission. Prior to that, “The Mauler” was TKO’d by light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the third round.

Alexander Gustafsson likely to end retirement, wants to fight Luke Rockhold
Adam Martin - September 2, 2019
After losing to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm back in June, UFC light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson said that he was retiring from MMA. He left his gloves in the center of the Octagon and said that he would be leaving the sport at age 32. Well, it looks like that retirement may be short-lived as Gustafsson appears to be joining a long list of MMA fighters who don’t leave the sport for long.

The remarkably similar careers of Alexander Gustafsson and Chad Mendes
Christopher Taylor - July 9, 2019
Newly retired UFC standouts Alexander Gustafsson and Chad Mendes never came close to competing in the same weight class, but their respective careers are remarkably similar. Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes (18-5 MMA) confirmed his previously announced retirement plans earlier this evening. Meanwhile, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson (18-6 MMA) decided to hang up his gloves last month, this following a submission loss to Anthony Smith.

Luke Rockhold downplays Anthony Smith's win over Alexander Gustafsson
Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019
Earlier this month, in the main event of UFC Stockholm, Anthony Smith picked up arguably the biggest win of his MMA career, submitting three-time light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. In the moments after this loss, Gustafsson announced his plan to retire from MMA — which is why Luke Rockhold didn’t find Smith’s win very impressive. Rockhold has previously been very critical of Smith’s ability, and saw nothing special in his defeat of Gustafsson, who had seemingly lost his will to fight.

Jon Jones explains how Alexander Gustafsson retiring has affected the sport
Matheus Costa - June 26, 2019
Alexander Gustafsson surprised the entire MMA community, including rival Jon Jones, after announcing his retirement from fighting following his loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. The former 3-time UFC title challenger, Gustafsson, cemented a legacy inside the octagon despite never winning a championship on the biggest stage of them all. And his biggest rival ever, the reigning 205lbs champion Jon Jones, reacted for the first time about ‘The Mauler’s’ retirement in a recent interview with “ESPN“.

Jon Jones believes Alexander Gustafsson fight could earn Hall of Fame spot
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, widely regarded as the best fighter of all time, is seemingly a shoe-in for the Modern Era of the UFC Hall of Fame. That being said, Jones also believes he could earn a spot in the Fight Wing of the Hall of Fame, thanks to his 2013 epic with Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson Jones believes this back-and-forth war, which culminated with a hotly debated decision, was absolutely Hall of Fame worthy — even if it’s precisely the kind of fight he strives to avoid.

What's next for Anthony Smith and Alexander Gustafsson after UFC Stockholm?
Cole Shelton - June 2, 2019
The Octagon returned to the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday for UFC Stockholm. In the main event, Sweden’s own Alexander Gustafsson was looking to cement himself as the top light heavyweight contender as he was taking on Anthony Smith. Both Gustafsson and Smith were coming off title shot losses to Jon Jones, but it still was an intriguing bout.

Alexander Gustafsson wasn't the only fighter to retire after UFC Stockholm
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Shortly after he was defeated by Anthony Smith in the UFC Stockholm main event, Alexander Gustafsson surprised onlookers by announcing his retirement from MMA. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.

Jon Jones comments on retirement of Alexander Gustafsson
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
On Saturday, in the main event of UFC Stockholm, three-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson was submitted by Anthony Smith. In the moments after this defeat, the towering Swedish fighter surprised viewers by announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts competition. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.

UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith pockets extra 50k for retiring Gustafsson
Chris Taylor - June 1, 2019
Anthony Smith picked up an extra $50k for his submission victory over Alexander Gustafsson in today’s UFC Stockholm main event. ‘Lionheart’ defeated ‘The Mauler’ via fourth round submission in today’s headliner, much to the displeasure of the fans in attendance.

Pros react to the UFC Stockholm main event and Alexander Gustafsson retiring
Chris Taylor - June 1, 2019
A key light heavyweight scrap between former division title challengers Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith headlined today’s UFC Stockholm event. Both men had entered tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering losses to reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in their most recent octagon appearances.

Alexander Gustafsson announces retirement following loss to Anthony Smith
Chris Taylor - June 1, 2019
Former UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. The 32-year-old, Gustafsson (18-6 MMA) suffered a fourth round submission loss to Smith in today’s headliner (watch that here).