Shogun's Trainer Wants Alexander Gustafsson Next

[No More Sorrow]

Dida said he’ll meet with his staff to correct any mistakes from the previous training camp before planning Rua’s next session. The question of who Rua will face next remains a mystery, having lost a chance at a UFC title shot to former rival Lyoto Machida. In considering potential opponents, Dida pointed out the name of a fighter on the rise: 25-year-old Swede Alexander Gustafsson.

“When ‘Rampage’ [Quinton Jackson] was hurt, we thought about that fight,†Dida said. “Gustafsson would be a good opponent. Shogun only has good fights, so whoever fights him is going to war. We were joking that he could make a shirt, like ‘Shogun War.’


“The guy goes up and expends a lot of cardio, so we have to analyze this aspect of conditioning. Against Gustafsson would be another war. We would have to study them, but I can already imagine them brawling.â€

The fight should happen, Gustafsson needs some legit competition. And if Shogun comes into this fight and gasses out as bad as he did against Vera, Gustafsson will hurt him.