Issue 174

December 2018

On another day, at another time, with a different set of judges, Alexander Gustafsson might already have been crowned UFC light heavyweight champion. He could have won the title in 2013, when pushing Jon Jones to the wire, and he could have been awarded the belt in 2015, when doing the same to Daniel Cormier. Both times Gustafsson excelled himself, proving doubters wrong, gaining success against men typically dominant against other challengers, yet both times, despite stellar performances, Gustafsson walked away empty-handed.

It’s been the story of the Swede’s career so far. Almost, but not quite. There or thereabouts. It’s the small, simple things that can irk and lead to regret. If, for example, he had ducked a spinning back elbow thrown by Jon Jones in round four of their fight, which turned the tide in Jones' favor, the course of history could have changed. He got his chance again at UFC 232 in December, with the UFC light heavyweight championship up for grabs. Once again Jon Jones stoped Gustafsson, to regain the title.