White confirms Alexander Gustafsson No. 1, meets winner of Jones-Teixeira
LONDON – An impressive win in UFC Fight Night 37′s headliner solidified Alexander Gustafsson as the next light heavyweight contender to the UFC title.
Following the UFC Fight Pass-streamed event, UFC President Dana White confirmed to MMAjunkie that Gustafsson will meet the winner of next month’s title fight between champ Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira, who stepped in front of Gustafsson after his loss to Jones this past September.
“If Jones wins, we have a nasty rematch,†White said at the post-event press conference at London’s O2 Arena. “If he doesn’t, then it’s [Gustafsson] and Glover Teixeira.â€
Jones (19-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and Teixeira (22-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) headline UFC 172 on April 26 at Baltimore’s Baltimore Arena. The champ is a heavy favorite in most current betting lines to defend his belt a seventh time.
Gustafsson (16-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) called for a rematch with Jones immediately after he stopped Jimi Manuwa (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) with a barrage of punches and knees at London’s O2 Arena.
“Jon Jones, I want my title shot again,†Gustafsson said. “I’m right here. Whenever you want.â€
The 27-year-old Swede pushed Jones to his limit when they first met at UFC 165 in a fight considered one of 2013′s best. Jones won a unanimous decision but was battered and bloodied by the end of the 25-minute encounter.
Although there was talk of an immediate rematch, Jones ultimately elected to face Teixeira in his next fight. Gustafsson was subsequently booked to meet Manuwa with the caveat that he likely would get a second bout with Jones if successful.
In the UFC, promised title shots can vanish with a poor performance. But Gustafsson dominated Manuwa early on the ground before finishing him on the feet in the second round.
“It was an amazing night, and the crowd was great,†Gustafsson said at the presser.
