Alexander Gustafsson News

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2020

Three-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is ending his retirement and moving up to the heavyweight division. According to a report from Combate, Gustafsson is targeting a return to action on July 25 on the UFC’s widely discussed Fight Island. The frontrunners for his comeback fight, per the report, are former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, and former interim light heavyweight title challenge Ovince Saint Preux.

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.

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.

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.

Natasha Hooper - July 10, 2019

Alexander Gustafsson is reconsidering his retirement. The Swedish fighter announced his retirement in Stockholm last month, after receiving a submission loss from Anthony Smith.

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.

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.

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“.

Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019

Shortly after he was defeated by Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC Stockholm over the weekend, Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson hung up the gloves. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.

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.

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.

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.

Chris Taylor - June 1, 2019

Alexander Gustafsson shocked the mixed martial arts world earlier today when he announced his retirement from the sport. Gustafsson’s surprising announcement came shortly following his fourth round submission loss to Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC Stockholm.

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.

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).

Chris Taylor - June 1, 2019

A key light heavyweight bout between former division title challengers Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith headlined today’s UFC Stockholm event. Both Smith and Gustafsson enter tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after each man fell short in their respective bids to dethrone reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Natasha Hooper - May 31, 2019

All fighters scheduled for UFC Stockholm have made weight. The card is scheduled for tomorrow in Stockholm, Sweden and is headlined by Sweden’s own Alexander Gustafsson (18-5) vs Anthony Smith (31-14). Gustafsson was the first to be weighed and came in at 205 pounds. The former middleweight Smith hit the scales at 206 but made weight comfortably as he was still wearing shorts and socks. Both fighters are coming off a loss to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and will be looking to get back on track.

Tom Taylor - May 30, 2019

Anthony Smith will face a stark test when he battles Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Stockholm this weekend. He’s approaching this task with a simple yet violent gameplan. “I’m going to march across the cage, I’m going to put pressure on him, he’s going to run from me for 25 minutes if I let him,” Smith said ahead of this fight (via MMA News). “I’m going to swing hammers the whole time. If he gets too close, I’m going to drag him to the ground and if he gets away, I’ll do it again. That’s it. That’s the game plan. I’ll react to all the other s—t.”