Dan Hardy Thinks Alexander Gustafsson Should Move Up To Heavyweight
‘Who should Alexander Gustafsson fight next?’ has been a hot topic of conversation since he signed a new contract a few weeks ago and UFC analyst Dan Hardy is the latest to offer his opinion.
The UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will make the move back up to heavyweight on July 7 when he attempts to dethrone the current heavyweight king, Stipe Miocic. Standing at 6 ft. 5”, Gustafsson has the body type suitable to make the move up himself and Hardy thinks it would be a wise option for his next fight.
“I would chase the champion up to heavyweight if I was Gustafsson,” Hardy said.
“If I was as tall and as big and as sizeable as he is compared to Cormier, I mean, he’s a heavyweight by weight, in stature he’s not at all, but if you stand him next to Gustafsson and ask who’s the heavyweight, Gustafsson is the heavyweight.”
With Cormier leaving the 205-pounds division for the short term, Hardy thinks there is now an opportunity for new contenders to put themselves into the title picture. One other option the Swede has of course is to wait for the return of Jon Jones and see their long overdue rematch can be put together when he returns.
“For me, I’d say chase him up to heavyweight and leave the light heavyweight division to settle for a little bit,” Hardy said.
“Let it figure who are the clear cut contenders and who Gustafsson has to go through.
“Or maybe just wait a little time until Jones comes back.
“I mean honestly, I know Jon Jones is the bad boy right now, but we all still want to see that rematch.”
Watch the full interview here: