Alexander Gustafsson was in need of a big performance this weekend. His was questioned about stepping away from fighting after taking brutal loses to Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, and Anthony Johnson.
In the UFC’s return to Sweden, Gustafsson’s home country, he knocked out opponent Glover Teixeira in the fifth round. He hit Teixeira with three consecutive uppercuts, followed by a perfect right hook to secure his spot as the No. 1 contender in the light heavyweight division. Gustafsson was outmatching the 37-year-old Teixeira as John Morgan tweeted that Gustafsson led 40-35 on all 3 cards, and was up 10-8 in round 3, leading up to the knockout.
Upon being announced the winner, he then in celebration, proposed to his girlfriend Moa Antonia Johansson. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child earlier this month. “I love you with all my heart,” Gustafsson said into the live microphone to his fiancé, “Will you marry me?” After five long rounds of fighting, Gustafsson switched from an intense in-ring competitor to a sweetheart.
The night wasn’t done yet for Gustaffson, as MMAFighting.com reported that Gustafsson said ‘Jon Jones is not a champion in my eyes’ during his post-match press conference. Despite testing positive for cocaine, and being arrested in connection to a hit-and-run incident, Jones is still fighting in the UFC amidst backlash from his fellow fighters.
Gustafsson is looking to take on the winner of Jones and Cormier for the light heavyweight title. He has lost in the last three years to both Jones and Cormier in separate title matches.
