UFC light heavyweight top contender Alexander Gustafsson has found himself in a precarious situation. While the fighter is riding a two fight winning streak and is hopeful for a shot at the title, the reigning champion is simply not available. Now “The Mauler” has come forward to give his thoughts on the matter.
Riding a vicious knockout victory over tough contender Glover Teixeira, Gustafsson now once again has his sights set on a title shot. However, reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is moving up in weight to challenge UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic for his title.
With Cormier not vacating the belt to do so, the UFC light heavyweight division has been left on stasis until his return. Speaking to ESPN, Gustafsson has come forward to reveal that he is interested in nothing less than an interim title fight.
“Me fighting D.C. [Cormier] for the real title, that opportunity went out the window. I feel I earned my spot off my last performance — but here we are. With D.C. moving up, the next step for me should be for an interim title.
“I brought it up to the UFC. Let’s see what happens. All I know is that in my situation, whoever they put in front of me next, it must be for the interim title.”
“I feel like I’ve been taking fights and climbing ladders, climbing rankings, my entire career. I’m 31 years old. I still feel I’ll compete for many years, but right now, every fight has to have a thought behind it. It has to take me the right way. Every fight, you take damage. You take damage in your training camp. I just came back from an injury recently. I’ve got that fire in me, and I want to take a fight that will actually take me towards my goal.
“D.C. is moving up to heavyweight and that’s good for him and it’s good for the organization, but for me, the No. 1 contender, it’s not fair. It’s not fair at all. And no one knows what D.C. will do after this fight. He may put his gloves down and walk away.”
“The division is a little crazy right now, it’s no secret, but I earned my spot. It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me, but I want it to be for the interim belt.”
