UFC Light-Heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson has insisted he has no interest in fighting AllStars Training Centre teammate Jimi Manuwa a second time even if the landscape of the division changes and puts them on a collision course.
Gustafsson, who returns to the octagon in May to face Glover Teixeira in his native Sweden, has poured water on the prospect of him facing off for the second time with Manuwa despite both being in and around the title picture.
“No, I don’t fight Jimi. We are team mates now. We fought once and it’s all good, we learnt from each other and help each other out”, said “The Mauler” ahead of his cornering duties for teammate Manuwa at UFC London.
“We will see what happens. If Jimi wants the title then it’s good. I always support every teammate but we train together so we’ll see what pans out”.
Gustafsson desperate to avenge defeats and would love to face Jones once again
The Swede does have one fight he would like to come to fruition and not only would it be a rematch of a fight considered one of the greatest of all time, but would allow Gustafsson to seek revenge for the four-year-old loss.
“I’m always interested to fight Jon Jones, of course, let’s make it number two”, stated the 30-year-old.
Gustafsson has struggled with staying active in recent times with injury problems and an underlying back issue meaning he’s only fought three times since the start of 2015. He was adament though that his problems are behind him and that he wants to get back in the octagon more often in future.
“Today I’m feeling good, I’m feeling exactly how I should feel. I train hard, feel good in training and I train every day”, exclaimed Gustafsson.
“There’s no question of not training or not competing. This is what I do, this is what I love to do and I’m going to keep doing it for a long time”.
“(Time off) was important too but I’ve had a tough couple of fights and it hasn’t went my way so I’m just here to prove I’m the best guy out there. I want those fights back and I want those wins back so I’m just starting”.
With the Light-Heavyweight division keenly awaiting the outcome of UFC 210, where champion Daniel Cormier will defend his title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Gustafsson was happy to give his predictions for the anticipated bout.
“I would say I believe DC will keep his belt and we will see what happens. Anthony’s a very tough guy, if he lands one of those shots, it’s going to be a very tough night for DC but he is world champion for a reason”.
