What’s Next For Alexander Gustafsson?

By Roy Billington

Following UFC 165’s epic title fight between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson, fans were clamoring for a rematch, but it seems the promotion has other ideas. On Super Bowl Weekend, Jones will be facing Glover Teixeira. This leaves fans with a big question: What is next for Alexander Gustafsson?

In a chat with ESPN on Thursday, Dana White announced that Jones would be facing the Brazilian brawler next, saying:
“That’s what the champ wants.We’ll probably have that fight on the Super Bowl card in New Jersey.”

On the contentious subject, UFC Champion Jon “Bones” Jones told MMA Junkie:

“I said before the fight my sights were set on breaking the record…I want to crush the record. I want to beat the record so bad it can never be broken. I’m going to fight Glover and I will answer all the critics about the Gustafsson fight. I will fight Gustafsson after I fight Glover. I won the fight but I look at it as a blemish on my record because some people think I didn’t. I promise you, he will be next.”

So what happens next with Alexander Gustafsson? I spoke with sources close to the situation, and they told me Gustafsson would once more be fighting in his native Sweden, as the UFC will be returning to Stockholm in the first quarter of 2014 after successful shows in both 2012 and 2013.

The only question left to be answered is who will Gustafsson face in the main event? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Dan Henderson/Vitor Belfort

On November 9th, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort square off in an interesting bout. Henderson is coming off two split decision losses, while Belfort is coming off some of the most spectacular victories in his spectacular career.

Both fighters have made it clear they want to fight Jones. Henderson was famously booked to fight him at the ill-fated UFC 151 event until he was injured and the event was canceled. Then Belfort fought Jones on short notice at UFC 152, and came close to finishing the champ with an armbar before ultimately falling to the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

As a fight with Gustafsson would bring either fighter closer to a title shot, expect the winner of this bout to call him out.

2. Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans is booked to face fan favorite Chael Sonnen at UFC 167, and even though he has only won once since facing Jon Jones, a win against Sonnen could propel him back into a Top 5 ranking. Evans has made it clear that he wants another shot against Jones, and even though their fight was one-sided, he never suffered much damage.

I think Joe Silva would be likely to match Evans vs. Gustafsson as a number one contender fight, as either fighter would make for a high-selling opponent for Jon Jones.

3. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Initially booked to face Gustafsson at UFC on FUEL TV 2, Nogueira is currently unmatched and would be more than eager to face Gustafsson. The Swedish fans would pay to see Gustafsson face anybody, and the UFC is guaranteed a sellout in Stockholm regardless, so it would not hesitate to put Gustafsson against the former Pan-Am Games boxing competitor.

4. Ryan Bader

Ryan Bader last faced Glover Teixeira in Brazil at UFC Fight Night 28, and even though he suffered a first round knockout, I believe he is the most likely matchup for Gustafsson.

Firstly, Bader is well known to casual fans due to his winning The Ultimate Fighter 8, and would provide a good chance for Gustafsson to once again showcase how good his defensive wrestling is by facing an All-American in Bader. Secondly, Bader’s standup is far less technical than Gustafsson’s, so the Swede should have an easy night of work, and with Bader’s chin faltering recently, “The Mauler” could score the knockout he needs to hype a rematch with Jones to the maximum extent.

Who should face Alexander Gustafsson next?