Glover seeks victory against Gustafsson to have another chance at the belt

A. Gustafsson (left) and G. Teixeira (right) face each other (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

Glover Teixeira has a tough mission at UFC Sweden, an event that takes place this Sunday (28), starting at 11 am. The Brazilian faces Alexander Gustafson, ‘owner of the house’ and one of the best athletes in the world at 93 kg. Zebra in betting houses, Glover relies on his heavy hand to surprise the Swede and “mess up” the light heavyweight division and have a new chance at the category belt.

In addition to Glover, Brazil will have two more representatives in the UFC Sweden fight program: the bantamweight Peter Munhoz and light weight Netto BJJ. Vindo de duas vitórias seguidas, Munhoz enfrenta Damian Stasiak, polonês que tem a mesma sequência de triunfos. Já Netto pega o iraniano radicado na Suécia Reza Madadi.

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Main fight

Coming from an important victory over the dangerous Jared Cannonier at UFC 208, Glover Teixeira has the opportunity to put himself back at the top of the light heavyweight division and very close to a new fight for the belt. The Brazilian already had his opportunity, at UFC 172, but ended up dominated by the then champion Jon Jones, who will fight for the belt again at UFC 214, against the current title holder, Daniel Cormier. If DC retains the title and Teixeira overcomes Gustafsson, everything indicates that the Brazilian will be the next challenger.

To beat the Swede, however, the Brazilian will have to use all his experience. One of the tallest athletes in the entire UFC, Gustafsson knows how to use his wingspan and maintain distance like few others. That's how he was just a few minutes away from overcoming Jon Jones, at UFC 165. A setback for Anthony Johnson didn't stop the Swede, who had another chance at the belt against Cormier. However, he ended up outclassing the details again and has only had one fight since then – winning Jan Blachowicz by decision.

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However, the lack of renewal in the division keeps Gustafsson as one of the relevant names, even though he has only had three fights since the beginning of 2015. The Swede is number one in the light heavyweight rankings, while Glover is second. The Brazilian, who recovered well from the devastating setback to Anthony Johnson With his triumph over Cannonier, he really seems to be one fight away from the title.

More Brazil

Netto BJJ (photo) faces Reza Madadi (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

Netto BJJ (foto) enfrenta Reza Madadi (Foto: Reprodução/Facebook UFC)

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The Brazilian Peter Munhoz He arrived at the UFC with the weight of being a former RFA champion, a North American event that regularly reveals fighters for Ultimate. In his new home, he ended up debuting with a defeat to Raphael Assunção, one of the best roosters in the world. His only other setback at the company was for Jimmie rivera, another member of the top ranking at 61 kg. Coming off two straight wins and in 12th place in the division rankings, Munhoz dreamed of another ranked opponent.

However, he had to settle for Damian Stasiak, who has only three fights in the UFC, with two wins and one loss. To ensure that he deserves a top-10 opponent, the Brazilian will have to win and win well. Training at Black House, Munhoz is the biggest favorite of the entire event, according to Marsbet.

The other Brazilian who will take action at UFC Sweden is Joaquim Neto BJJ. Undefeated so far in MMA, he faces Reza Madadi, replacement for Mairbek Taisumov, the Brazilian's original opponent. Neto is coming off a devastating victory, in just 34 seconds, over the dangerous Andrew Holbrook, but he hasn't fought since the middle of last year.

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Madadi, who is a local athlete and trains with Lina Lansberg, lost to Joseph Duffy in March this year by decision, so there is more fighting rhythm. The Brazilian, however, is the favorite, as he had a normal camp for the duel, while Reza Madadi entered at the last minute.

Cirkunov x Oezdemir

V. Oezdemir (left) and M. Cirkunov (right) face each other (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

Despite not being well-known names among the general public, the quality of Volkan oezdemir e Misha Cirkunov is indisputable. After all, the two are in the top-10 of the UFC rankings, in fifth and seventh, respectively.

Oezdemir's rise, in particular, is impressive – he reached the top-5 with just one fight in Ultimate. Triumph by decision over Ovince St Preux it was enough to put him near the top. OSP had fought for the interim belt against Jon Jones at UFC 197 and his defeat was considered an upset.

Cirkunov has a longer road ahead in the UFC. In the organization, there are four fights and four wins, with three submissions and one knockout. Alex Nicholson and Nikita Krylov are some of the victims of the Latvian, who had problems renewing with Ultimate and almost signed with Bellator.