In the small hours of Jan. 25, Alexander Gustafsson walked out to a huge roar from 30,000 fans at the Tele 2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. It was an historic event for the UFC, the biggest ever in Europe and the promotion’s second biggest attendance to date.
It quickly became a nightmare for Sweden’s celebrity sports star. After 2 minutes, 15 seconds he was floored by the powerful fists of Anthony Johnson, surely eliminating any chance of challenging for UFC gold in the near future.
The outcome was just one chapter in a story of setbacks and frustration for Gustafsson. But on Oct. 3 at the Toyota Center in Houston, he must advance from thoughts of missed opportunities, as he will once again fight for the UFC light heavyweight title against defending champion and former Olympian Daniel Cormier.
Speaking with and observing Gustafsson in his native Stockholm, he does not cut the figure of a man who is dwelling on his last fight or the injuries that have frustratingly blocked him from entering the Octagon with former champion Jon Jones.
He is in a buoyant mood, enjoying his work and manifesting a real thirst for his chosen occupation. Step back six months, however, and things were very different.
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Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
