Issue 155

June 2017

‘The Mauler’ is determined to finally claim the UFC light heavyweight championship – but only if he can run through Jon Jones to get it.

Alexander Gustafsson has played a starring role in two of mixed martial arts’ greatest ever light heavyweight fights. There’s just one small problem with them in his eyes: he lost them both. His UFC title fights against Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are iconic. They both had to dig deep to earn the most hard-fought victories of their careers, but for the Swede, they’re simply losses he’s desperate to get back – with or without championship gold attached. 

Though his motivation was questioned last year, ‘The Mauler’ is aiming to put all doubts to rest when he returns on home soil on May 28th when he will take on Glover Teixeira in Stockholm, Sweden. He is determined to use the main event to propel himself back into fights against familiar foes and finally capture the golden hardware that has eluded him so far. FO caught up with him at the beginning of camp and discovered the change in his demeanor.

If you could fight for the UFC belt tomorrow or Jon Jones which would you choose?

Can I not fight Jon Jones for the title (laughs)? The belt is very important to me, it’s something I’ve been working towards my whole career but, of course, it’s no secret that I want to fight Jones again once he’s able to fight again... Let’s make the number two.

I’m going to have to push you for an answer: Jones or the belt?

Jones is one of those fights I think everybody wants. It’s a hard choice because you have the belt and you have Jones. But Jones is still the true champion in my eyes. After all, he never lost the belt in the Octagon. There’s no one like him, and to beat him would be as big as being the world champ. Maybe bigger. So, OK, I choose Jones.

You fought just once last year and at times were making noises about whether to fight on or not. Where is your head at right now?

My mentality is very different than what it was before. It’s no secret that I struggled to get motivated after the losses to Jones and DC especially. There was a time when I didn’t think I would ever fight again. But I’ve come full-circle now. I’m probably more hungry today than ever before. I’m new and improved on what I was before. You’ll see that in this next fight.

And physically you’re feeling strong again?

I’m feeling exactly how I should feel. I train hard, feel good. I love training, I train every day. It’s no question about not training or not competing. This is what I do, this is what I love to do, so I’m going to keep doing it for a long time.

How important is this fight against Glover in terms of your future?

Every fight is important. In this sport you have to win; you can’t lose. If you lose, you’re back where you started, so you have to win every fight. It doesn’t matter if the guy is ranked or not. You have to win every fight, so that’s why it’s the most important fight right now of my career.

You’re returning at home, in Stockholm, does that bring any added pressure?

Not at all. I’m just excited to be back in the mix and to take another win.

Successive back injuries haven’t helped you to bounce back quickly. What has it been like to be stuck on the sidelines?

That was the biggest thing really as mentally I’ve been ready to fight and stay busy for a long time. After a few dark months, I was ready to go, but my body wasn’t. It’s been frustrating. I want to be competing all the time if I could. I have a good fight in front of me now and I can’t wait to step in there, win and then move forward.”

Talking of moving forward, is it Jones or the belt you expect next?

All I can do now is focus on Glover and make sure my hand is raised at the end of this fight, which it will be, I can assure you of that. My focus has to be on Glover. That’s a tough challenge for me. Then we’ll see what options are available.

You’ve lost two of your last three. Has that changed you as a fighter?

I had a tough couple of fights that didn’t go my way, so I’m just here to prove I’m the best guy out there. I want those fights back. I want those wins back. I’m just starting again and in some ways it’s a good position.

The last time you fought in Sweden you were KO’d by Rumble. What changes have you made since then?

I’m a totally different fighter today than the one that lost that fight. It’s a totally different night, different opponent, total different occasion. It’s important I show everybody, not just the people of Sweden but everybody, that I’m here to stay and compete with the best.

Your teammate Jimi Manuwa is on a fast track to a 205lb title shot. Are you competing to get there first?

I guess we are. Again, let’s see what happens. If Jimi wants the title then that’s good. We are teammates so we are there for one another, both pushing one another towards a title fight. Let’s see how it plays out.

Would you ever fight him for the UFC belt?

We are teammates now so there really is absolutely no question of us ever fighting one another. We are brothers now so there are no plans for that fight to happen. We fought once before and agreed to help one another out from that moment. There’s no question of us fighting again, even for the belt.

Did you tip DC to beat Rumble in the rematch?

I believed DC had the edge in the second fight. Anthony hits very hard, but DC is the champion for a reason. Regardless of who won, I just wanted to be ready to face the victor.