Alexander Gustafsson was not really ready to withdraw from the fight when he called it a career last June after a loss to Anthony Smith.
According to the three-time UFC title contender, the heartache of losing in front of a local audience in Sweden, his second consecutive loss overall, only led to the explosion that he was hanging up his gloves forever.
Now Gustafsson can easily admit that he regrets that decision and that ultimately the moment just passed him that night.
“It was an emotional moment. Nothing else, “Gustafsson told MMA Fighting Tuesday during the UFC on ESPN 14 media day.” He was heartbroken. It was a tough fight. It was in Stockholm. It was against a guy I know I have the tools to beat, but obviously not.
“It was a difficult night and my emotions and thoughts were just chaos in my head.”
As he prepares to return to the UFC on ESPN 14 this weekend, Gustafsson knew long ago that he was going to fight again.
“After a month or two at home on that. So I want to train again and I can’t train without motivation, so now I’m here, “said Gustafsson.
While his entire UFC career was spent at 205 pounds, Gustafsson’s first fight in over a year will actually take place in the heavyweight division when he takes on former champion Fabricio Werdum on Saturday night.
Weight cutting has always been seen as the magic bullet for winning in MMA, but lately more and more fighters are moving into larger divisions and finding success.
Gustafsson’s former enemy, Daniel Cormier, rose to heavyweight and became a champion. Several other light heavyweight contenders have tested the same waters in recent months.
For his part, Gustafsson can’t say for sure if fighting at heavyweight is permanent, but he definitely feels the difference now that he’s not preparing for a 205-pound cut.
“I felt it was the right time to upgrade,” Gustafsson explained. Because I am quite heavy, quite large. It felt great to increase a weight class and try the heavyweight division.
“Then I had a fight with Werdum and this is something that suits me very well and I am very excited.” I’m just stronger. I’m stronger than normal at light heavyweight. “
Facing a former champion in his heavyweight debut is a daunting task, but that’s exactly what Gustafsson wanted upon returning to the UFC.
He’s not making wild predictions about the future, as Gustafsson plans to reevaluate his divisional plans after colliding with a legitimate heavyweight this weekend.
“I will challenge myself and see how it goes,” Gustafsson said. “I will win, of course, but let’s see how I feel about it.
“He is a sports legend. He is a former champion. It is a perfect way to return. I’m going to beat Werdum on Saturday and then we’ll take the next one.
In the past, Gustafsson’s entire career surrounded the pursuit of UFC gold after participating in one of the greatest fights in history during a five-round battle with Jon Jones in 2013. Sadly, he never accomplished that goal despite two more tries in a rematch with Jones and a fight with Cormier in 2015.
As he prepares to fight at heavyweight in the UFC for the first time, Gustafsson is not planning to fight for the title right now. He is happy to be back and this time he will not go anywhere.
“I am here to win my fights,” Gustafsson said. “Just take it from there. When I am in a situation where I can touch the belt, then we will go for the belt.
“Right now, it’s only one fight at a time. I am fighting Werdum, I will beat Werdum on Saturday and then we will take the next one. I’m here to stay.”
