Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Should Alexander Gustafsson have to fight again after the Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier bout got shifted to January?
Aug 19, 2014 - 2:30:02 PM ROUNDTABLE: Should Alexander Gustafsson have to fight again after the Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier bout got shifted to January?

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Should Alexander Gustafsson have to fight again after the Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier bout got shifted to January? Who would you have him fight, and why?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

I feel sorry for Alexander Gustafsson, but there's no way the UFC were going to revert back to Plan A after the Jones and Cormier press conference debacle. He's suffering from the "What have you done for me lately?" syndrome, but it is what it is and now he needs to fight again. To sit on the sidelines for an extended period of time will not do him any good. Fighting Anthony Johnson is a big risk but another win for the Swede will guarantee he's next in line providing Jon Jones doesn't lose the belt next January.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't think so. I think you move Gustafsson into the title fight and have Cormier fight again, but there's no way that's happening. That not-fake-at-all brawl between Jones and Cormier ensures that. As for whom Gustafsson should fight, it'll probably be Anthony Johnson. Whoever wins that fight gets the next title shot. Gustafsson has certainly gotten very unlucky here lately, though, so maybe more injuries much things up again. I sure hope not, though.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I am in the camp of individuals who believe he should have gotten the next fight and I have no problem with him waiting for his shot. But I think the UFC will force his hand to get him to fight Anthony Johnson.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Thank you for asking this question; I think Gustaffson needs to fight again, and it has to be against Glover Teixeira, Rashad Evans, or Rumble Johnson. He has to stay active. I'm not a big fan of the "I refuse to fight until I get a title shot because it feels like I've already earned it" view some fighters have. If you aren't confident enough to take another fight in the meantime, maybe you shouldn't be in the title picture right now, maybe you're not as confident in your skill set, or sure you'd win. There's an inherent problem there; confidence is a huge key to success in the cage, and if you don't have it you shouldn't be positioned where you are. Fight or fall in the rankings, I'm not here to bottle feed you title shots because you beat Jimi Manuwa.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

When Gustafsson had to withdraw from the fight with Jon Jones I was truly gutted. It was a fight everyone wanted to see after the result of that first fight. So when Daniel Cormier stepped up to the plate I just couldn't get excited. Does he deserve the match up with Jones? In my eyes no. His best win is probably against an over the hill middleweight whose best days are well behind him.

In hindsight the withdrawal from Jones might've been a blessing in disguise for everyone. They could've rearranged the original and more lucrative fight vs. Gustafsson once both men have healed. Cormier could've gone and got his knee problem sorted so he's 100% fighting fit and not 90% which he would've been against the best fighter in MMA.

Though what do I know? Not a lot as it seems. Cormier still gets the fight he doesn't deserve, and no doubt Alexander Gustafsson will have to go out and beat another top ranked fighter like Anthony Johnson before he gets the chance to avenge the loss against Jones.


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Nope. He should refuse to fight, and then Dana White should offer him Phil Davis, and then he should turn down Phil Davis, and then his contract should be frozen, and then he should be offered Phil Davis again, and he should say no again, and this loop should go on until he gets fat and lazy and can't make 205 lbs. anymore and the idea of Old Man Gustafsson fighting for a Light Heavyweight Championship is on the level of a French farce.

Or, you know, he can do his f***ing job. Whatever.