Alexander Gustafsson
IN PHOTO: Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson (top) of the U.S. fights with Alexander 'The Mauler' Gustafsson of Sweden in their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm January 24, 2015. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/TT News Agency

Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC Swedish sensation Alexander Gustafsson recently reflected on his humbling loss to Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and revealed that he was outclassed by his hard hitting rival but would still beat the American fighter six days out of seven. The light heavyweight contender who was emotional after the loss at his home town of Stockholm, Sweden, said that the setback is motivating him to train harder and come back stronger in the Octagon.

"There's not much you can say about that fight. He hit me and he hit me good. Sometimes that's enough. I try to face my demons. You have that doubt and lack of self-confidence,” Gustafsson said in a recent interview translated by MMA Fighting’s David St. Martin.

Johnson unleashed a stunner when he thoroughly outplayed the longer Gustafsson in their lone meeting during a UFC title fight eliminator on Jan. 24, 2015. The bout just went a little over two minutes after the referee stepped in stopping Johnson from unleashing additional hard hitting uppercuts to the chin of the 28-year-old jiu-jitsu purple belt holder. "The Mauler" admitted that he made an egregious mistake of not tucking his chin and put his hands up. He added that Johnson saw the opening and capitalized on his mistake by pouncing and literally, beating him to the punch.

Despite the setback, the former number two ranked light heavyweight contender and widely perceived as champion Jon Jones’ biggest threat has vowed to come back stronger after learning from the humbling experience. He is set to return to the Octagon with his next bout opposite Glover Texiera in June at Berlin, Germany. This time around, the Arboga, Sweden native is confident that he will come out more prepared and regain his stature in the mixed martial arts world.

However, he did not discount the prowess of his opponent especially that Texiera is cut in the same vein as he is – a striker. Gustafsson anticipates a hard hitting match and believes that his advantage is his speed and his boxing background which will allow him to mix up his strategy and provide the edge over his next opponent.

Watch the latest interview with Gustafsson below:

(Youtube/Swedish MMA)

For concerns on this story contact the author hidalgovincentpaul@gmail.com.

RELATED STORIES