Alexander Gustafsson breaks silence – Planning to stay at heavyweight!
Despite losing in his debut at heavyweight, three time UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson has no plans to move down in weight.
The Swedish star returned to the UFC last month after a brief retirement. He decided to move up from light heavyweight to heavyweight and was pitted against none other than former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum at Fight Island. While Gustafsson initially got a strong start on the feet, he was eventually taken down and submitted in the first round.
Though a tough loss, and the Swede’s third in a row, he recently opened up about the fight and his future – Which he says will remain at heavyweight.
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“It was a new experience, it was fun to be there, it was fun to step in and contend at heavyweight,” Gustafsson told MMAnytt‘s Ashah Tafari. “I have no plans to move down in weight, I feel strong at heavyweight, I hit really hard, I feel strong and…just feel good. This is definitely a division to stay in, now we just have to take a look at what’s next.”
Recently former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and rival to Gustafsson, vacated his title in order to pursue new endeavours at heavyweight. Gustafsson has challenged for the light heavyweight title three times, twice against Jones and once against Daniel Cormier. Though he lost all three, two of those were via close decision, and Gustafsson has remained at the top of the division for many years.
Despite the possibility of capturing the elusive light heavyweight belt, Gustafsson is determined to stay at heavyweight.
“My focus is at heavyweight, I need a fight very soon, and I need to do it over and do it right. Simple as that, that’s where we’re at.”
