Johnson (photo) defeated Gustafsson and closed the stadium in Sweden. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
All the thousands of people who attended the Tele2 Arena stadium, in Stockholm, Sweden, were in shock at the main fight of UFC on FOX 14, held in the early hours of this Sunday (25). The local idol Alexander Gustafson could not resist the urge to Anthony Johnson and succumbed in the first round, by technical knockout, in a result that surprised the prognoses.
Gustafsson, previously favorite to be the next challenger for Jon Jones for the light heavyweight belt, he saw his rival receive the long-awaited opportunity. Moments after the fight ended, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Johnson will be the next to face the champion, which postpones the rematch between Jones and Gustafsson, who had the UFC's “Fight of the Year” in 2013.
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The fight
The fight, held at approximately 3:30 am local time, started as expected, with Gustafsson trying to keep his distance and Johnson looking for more powerful strikes. After a brief pause, caused by an accidental poke in the eye by the Swede, Johnson went all out and paved the way for his victory.
Gustafsson tried to throw a front kick, but ended up being hit squarely by a direct shot on the counterattack. The Swede clearly shook, which caused “Rumble” to start a real hunt inside the Octagon. Groggily, Gustafsson lost his balance and fell, becoming even more vulnerable to the American's blows. He even turned his back on his rival, but Johnson continued to hit insistently until he achieved victory by technical knockout, at 2:15.
The result silenced the fans present and left Gustafsson devastated, crying profusely on the shoulders of his coaches. After the victory, Johnson sent a message to Jon Jones: “I hope you’re healthy, because I want to face you soon!”, he said.
Furthermore, the fight crowns Johnson's dream return to the UFC, as he now has his third consecutive victory, the second by knockout. Gustafsson has his third setback in his career, the first by technical knockout – previously, he had lost to Phil Davis, finally (in 2010), and for Jon Jones, in the judges’ decision (2013).
UFC on FOX 14 results:
MAIN CARD
Anthony Johnson derrotou Alexander Gustafson by technical knockout in R1;
Gegard Mousasi derrotou Dan Henderson by technical knockout in R1;
Ryan bader derrotou Phil Davis by split decision of the judges
Sam Sicilia defeated Akira Corassani by knockout in R1;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Albert Tumenov defeated Nicholas Musoke by unanimous decision;
Kenny Robertson defeated Sultan Aliev by knockout in R1;
mawan amirkhani defeated Andy Ogle via TKO in R1;
Nikita Krylov derrotou Stanislav Nedkov by submission in R1;
Mairbek Taisumov defeated Anthony Christodolou via knockout in R2
Mirsad Bektic defeated Paul Redmond via unanimous decision;
Viktor Pesta defeated Konstantin Erokhin by unanimous decision of the judges;
Neil Seery defeated Chris Beal via unanimous decision;
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