Alexander Gustafsson warns: 'The era of Jon Jones is over'

A. Gustafsson hasn't fought since May 2017. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @alexthemauler

Alexander Gustafson will have another chance to face Jon Jones in the main fight of UFC 232 on December 29 in Las Vegas (USA). The fighters staged the biggest fight in light heavyweight history at UFC 165 in September 2013. After five rounds, ‘Bones’ came away with a unanimous decision victory. In the reunion with his rival, ‘Mauler’ promised to win the fight before the end, as he will not leave the decision in the hands of the judges.

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“If I see the opportunity to end the fight, I will take advantage and I will give it my all. I don’t trust the judges”, said Gustafsson in an interview with journalists in Las Vegas (USA).

Gustafsson stated that he will beat ‘Bones’, win the light heavyweight belt and put an end to his rival once and for all. Thus the ‘Era Jon Jones’ will come to an end.

“Look, he's the one who has to decide what he wants to do or not do, at the end of the day it's about who wants it more and I'm that guy. The era of Jon Jones he finished. I'm here to take his place, to take this belt and to put an end to him once and for all. When I win that belt, it will be a new experience for me. I've been in this position before and lost. I know what it's like, I've been there before. I've never been a champion in my life, so I don't know what the next step will be, but I'm looking for big fights. But I want to avenge my defeats too. I lost to Cormier, so we’ll see what happens,” said Alexander.

Gustafsson guaranteed that he will remember his first fight with Jones at UFC 165 in 2013. The fighter admitted that he learned a lot from the first fight and is preparing even more for the second duel.

“It's hard to say, I don't think it's going to be an easy fight. I'm preparing for the best Jon Jones that exists, I'm preparing for an even better Jones than last time. I just want to fight the best, I don't want excuses. It doesn’t matter what he has done, what I have done, it doesn’t matter now… everything will be measured by the 29th”, explained ‘Mauler’.

Gustafsson is coming off victories over Jan Blachowicz e Glover Teixeira, but hasn't fought since May 2017. The Swede has a record of 22 fights, including 18 triumphs and four setbacks.