Corey Anderson Blasts Alexander Gustafsson for Decision Defeat of Jan Blachowicz
Yesterday, in the co-main event of the UFC’s trip to Hamburg, Germany, Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson employed a wrestling-heavy game plan to steal a unanimous decision from the dangerous Jan Blachowicz. Though this performance was a bit of a break from Gustafsson’s typical, striking-based style, it was impressive all the same. It was also an important win for the Swede, who had not won a fight since a March 2014 defeat of Jimi Manuwa.
Unsurprisingly, many fans, pundits and fighters were thrilled to see Gustafsson return to his winning ways and reassert himself as one of the division’s top contenders. As it turns out, however, not everyone was impressed by his victory.
Corey “Beastin 25/8” Anderson, who wrestled his way to a decision over Blachowicz back in 2015, quickly took to Instagram to offer up his thoughts on Gustafsson’s win.
“A year ago today I fought and defeated this man in devastating fashion, and left him laying on the canvas dying for air for about 5 minutes and it was only my 7th pro fight,” Anderson said in his post. “I get criticized, called boring, and hated on cuz I didn’t finish him… Gustafson just beats him also by UD as well, and the commentators and the internet go crazy and talk title shots…Lol the irony…”
Of course, Anderson inadvertently pokes holes in his own argument with this post. As he points out himself, he was just 7-0 when he defeated Blachowicz, meaning he was still very green in the sport. Gustafsson, meanwhile, is a long-established light heavyweight contender who has twice battled for the title, very nearly winning it both times. His win over Blachowicz, then, serves more as a comeback fight than a coming out party. The reason he’s being talked about as a possible title challenger after his win over Blachowicz is simply because he’s already been one twice. That said, it’s easy to understand Anderson’s frustration.
Were you impressed by Gustafsson’s performance in Hamburg, or are you with Anderson on this one? Sound off, PENN Nation!
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Corey Anderson
