Ultimate Fighting Championship top light-heavyweight and former title contender, Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson, was rumored to retire from mixed martial arts after losing his last title fight. The Swedish fighter recently shut down all of the rumors regarding his supposed retirement.
Gustafsson has had a stellar career in mixed martial arts, with a professional record of 17 wins, with knockouts, and only 4 losses. Gustafsson also fought twice for the UFC light-heavyweight belt against former pound-for-pound #1 Jon Jones and current champion Daniel Cormier, both of which, received Fight of the Night honors, and even making it on the cover of the first EA Sports UFC game.
Despite Gustafsson's rise in the light-heavyweight ranks, both of his title runs ended in dramatic fashion, with him on the losing end of potential Fight of the Year candidates, and after the last one against Cormier, many believed that Gus would hang up the gloves once and for all. Gustafsson, who was frustrated after nearly putting Cormier away, made some comments post-fight, that many believed was some sort of a goodbye statement.
Now back in the winning column earlier in September, Gustafsson spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, via MMA Fighting, and cleared the air on the retirement buzz surrounding him, saying that he might have been misinterpreted, that he said that it was a tough and frustrating loss, and he wanted to take a break, but never retire. "The Mauler," added that the media might have misquoted him, and lastly said that he was never going to retire because he loves what he does, and that was something that he simply couldn't quit.
Gustafsson is set to headline UFC Fight Night 100, where he will face top light heavyweight contender, and Brazil's very own, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The UFC event will take place in Sao Paolo Brazil, on November 19th.
