It’s absolutely the most weird match-up imaginable. At the top at least.
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Bader wants a title shot, even though he expects Jones to re-enter the light heavyweight scene. But that form of fighting was really only the modus operandi for the defending champion in the opening period.
In the small hours of January 25, Alexander Gustafsson walked out to a huge roar from 30,000 fans at the Tele 2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. It’s my job to sell these fights. Let’s take an educated guess. He isn’t thinking about Jones or Cormier now. Whenever you thought one would break, they would battle back, but down the stretch in the fourth and throughout the fifth and final round, Cormier was the one pressing forward, pushing the tempo, forcing Gustafsson to engage or escape and getting the better of things more often than naught. With the decision hanging in the balance heading into the championship rounds, Cormier out-struck the best striker in the light heavyweight division to retain his title. Both men sported cuts and bruises as blood mixed with sweat creating a deep pink hue that stained the canvas and both fighters’ attire.
Alexander Gustafsson – Where does Gus go from here?
It’s sadly not a marquee fight until Jones comes back, but in fairness to the guys who are active it is an interesting fight.
“I’m not thinking about it. I’m here”. And despite asking for a Teixeira rematch, I don’t think he’ll get that either.
“I’d be lying to sit here and say there’s no pressure at all for me to go out there and perform well”.
Rashad Evans – Is he done as a top-flight LHW?
More importantly, Gustafsson showed the champion was human, that he could be hurt. Is middleweight an option?
“I’m 6-0 in the Octagon and so is Ronda Rousey“, Pena said. Sadly, I don’t think he’ll be all that relevant in the division anymore. While Jared Rosholt isn’t ranked right now, he would be if he beats Stefan Struve at UFC 193. Magomedov has speed, hand power and works in a lot of kicks. “It was one of those times you don’t know if you’re going to get it done but if you’re still standing, you keep fighting”.
That earned him another title fight, hopefully against Jones if the UFC lifts its suspension of him and if Jones chooses to fight again.
Jones was on top of the MMA world prior to a rough 2015 stretch. “You don’t dream about them as you want to be involved”. I believe that Alex can make those same adjustments I’ve made in the past.
“I think I have to lose more fat or move up”, he said. If Cejudo beats Jussier Formiga, he will fight Demetrious Johnson next. I was hanging out, drinking too much, and I had put on a bunch of weight. He’s either beaten everyone else or they’re coming off a loss.
But the second was a different story. I had a bad showing. Now the former champion faces arguably his toughest challenge yet when he returns to this firing squad eager to call themselves the king of 205.
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Men’s Flyweight is about to feed Joseph Benavidez to Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for a third time, and the Heavyweights are so thin with talent that Ruslan Magomedov could become a contender in the next 12-16 months. He’d be a good next fight for Makovsky as well, or maybe John Moraga. Cormier has the chance to clear up any remaining doubt and assert himself as the undisputed champ. “Why should I allow this guy to go and fight where he’s comfortable? I apologize to those who were affected by my actions in this incident and I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to redeem myself in the eyes of the public, my family and friends as well as my supporters”, he added. “It has been a hard time for most people around my career”. The big question mark in this fight is Rashad Evans.
