- Alexander Gustafsson is open for a potential UFC return
- “The Mauler” revealed that he is still tied up with the UFC
Alexander Gustafsson has been back in training and is just waiting for what lies ahead of him in his UFC career. For “The Mauler,” a UFC return is still possible at this point.
Only time could tell
Speaking to Front Kick, Gustafsson gladly revealed that he has been enjoying his return to training. He doesn’t have concrete plans of competing again at the moment but he also admitted that if the opportunity knocks, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it a go.
“I’m going to be here much more now. Focus a little bit more on myself, my own training, and mainly get back in shape I don’t think about the competing part so much. If it comes, it comes. Time will tell,” Gus said.
“I’m just having fun… I’m happy to be back in training and try to develop my conditioning a little bit more. My strength, you know, so I can grow more in myself. And then take it from there and see what happens. If a fight will be on the table, let’s talk about that. Let’s see how it feels and yeah, take it from there,” he added.
Still with the UFC
Gustafsson last fought in the UFC in 2022 when he lost to Nikita Krylov via first-round KO. Prior to that, “The Mauler” has been inactive for two years but was slated for a bout twice. However, both matches were scrapped.
First, Gustafsson was scheduled to face Paul Craig in 2021 but was prompted to withdraw due to an injury. He was set to face Ben Rothwell in May 2022 but the fight was canceled after the UFC cut Rothwell two months prior.
Nevertheless, Gus said he is still in-contract with the UFC. With that said, “The Mauler” confirmed that if he ever makes a comeback fight, it will still be at UFC.
“I [still] got the contract with the UFC, been with the UFC now since 2009. So, it’s been a while. I’m still in the business, I’m still under contract and yeah, if I fight it will be in the UFC, absolutely,” Gustafsson concluded.
As it stands, Gustafsson is on a four-fight losing streak. The last time he tasted victory was when he KO’d Glover Teixeira in 2017.
Check out Gustafsson’s full interview below: