Alexander Gustaffson requests Lyoto Machida or injury fill-in for title fight

Quote :

Taken out of a key fight due to injury, Alexander Gustafsson (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) would like to fill the gap if the UFC later finds itself in a similar jam.

Gustafsson trainer Eric Delfierro today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the Swedish light-heavyweight recently made two requests to UFC matchmakers: be an injury replacement for the division's next title fight, or face ex-champ Lyoto Machida.

Of course, since Lyoto Machida is the No. 1 contender, he might wind up doing that anyway if the winner of an upcoming title bout between champ Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen is hurt or takes an extended break. Jones and Sonnen headline UFC 159 later this month.

Machida, who outpointed Dan Henderson to secure a title shot, recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that he'd rather stay active than wait for the opportunity.

Delfierro said Gustafsson is on vacation for at least another week following a disappointment in his native country. Scheduled to fight ex-Strikeforce champ Gegard Mousasi at UFC on FUEL TV 9 this past Saturday, he sustained a cut above his left eye in training, which prompted the Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation to nix his participation in the fight.

UFC President Dana White criticized the commission's decision, releasing a photo shot by MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan that made the cut appear less severe than one shot immediately after the injury, which showed a bright red gash in a bad area above Gustafsson's eye.

"Worst decision I have EVER seen to pull fight," White wrote.

Gustafsson, 26, was expected to secure a title shot if victorious over Mousasi, who wound up dominating Gustafsson's training partner, Ilir Latifi.

"The Mauler" has won six straight inside the octagon.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/alexander-gustaffson-camp-requests-lyoto-machida-or-ufc-injury-fill-in

I would love to see this matchup, but I don't see it happening. I think Zuffa is dead set on giving Machida the next shot.

I expect Gus seats on the sidelines for a while and prays that either Shogun/Lil Nog/Glover/Te Huna get injured.

Or maybe they give Forrest Griffin a call? He would make a good stepping stone. That would be a nice stay busy fight for Gus.

Ninja wrote:

I would love to see this matchup, but I don't see it happening. I think Zuffa is dead set on giving Machida the next shot.

I expect Gus seats on the sidelines for a while and prays that either Shogun/Lil Nog/Glover/Te Huna get injured.

Or maybe they give Forrest Griffin a call? He would make a good stepping stone. That would be a nice stay busy fight for Gus.

Why be set on Machida? He doesn't exactly sell.

Farmer1906 wrote:

Ninja wrote:

I would love to see this matchup, but I don't see it happening. I think Zuffa is dead set on giving Machida the next shot.

I expect Gus seats on the sidelines for a while and prays that either Shogun/Lil Nog/Glover/Te Huna get injured.

Or maybe they give Forrest Griffin a call? He would make a good stepping stone. That would be a nice stay busy fight for Gus.

Why be set on Machida? He doesn't exactly sell.

He is a much bigger name than Gus is.

Ninja wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

Ninja wrote:

I would love to see this matchup, but I don't see it happening. I think Zuffa is dead set on giving Machida the next shot.

I expect Gus seats on the sidelines for a while and prays that either Shogun/Lil Nog/Glover/Te Huna get injured.

Or maybe they give Forrest Griffin a call? He would make a good stepping stone. That would be a nice stay busy fight for Gus.

Why be set on Machida? He doesn't exactly sell.

He is a much bigger name than Gus is.

Barely. Plus we've seen Bones vs Machida already.

So Gus doesn't want any Mousasi now? Weak.

GDPofDRC wrote:

So Gus doesn't want any Mousasi now? Weak.

Why would he call out a guy who is getting knee surgery?

Oh yeah, forgot about that.

So Gus doesn't want any Mousasi now? That is okay.

I want Mousasi v Machida. Just think that has a chance to be a very technical, very interesting fight.

Farmer1906 wrote:

I want Mousasi v Machida. Just think that has a chance to be a very technical, very interesting fight.

I agree.