10 Reasons Jones Versus Gustafsson is the Fight to Make Now

June 3, 2013

Here are 10 reasons to make the Jon Jones versus Alexander Gustafsson fight.

Gustafsson Posts This Picture Today with the Champ — Just Do It

10. The winning streak – The Swede has notched an impressive 6 straight wins in the UFC. This is the longest winning streak of any of the light heavyweight contenders in the Octagon, and put the Swede next in line.

9. Rua win – While many fighters are said to be “in the mix”, Dana White proclaimed that the winner of Mauricio Rua versus Alexander Gustafsson bout at the UFC on Fox in December would get a title shot. While a verbal promise isn’t what gets you the shot, an impressive unanimous decision over a former Pride Grand Prix and UFC champion should.

8. European love – Velasquez, Jones, Silva, St-Pierre, Hendersson, Aldo, Cruz, Barao, Johnson, and Rousey. What is this list missing…. a European. If the UFC wants to grow in Europe, it needs European fighters to get title shots. This is good business for the UFC’s long-term growth plan, and since Bisping and Kampmann failed to win their title contender bouts, the UFC should take advantage of this one in front of them.

7. If you can’t beat Machida… – Dan Henderson has the name and earned reputation to fight Jones, but he can’t do it on a 1 fight winning streak (assuming the 42 year old finds a way to beat Rashad Evans at UFC 161). Only the UFC knows if they are waiting to see if Henderson can pull off one highlight-reel right hand over Evans to stir up interest again… but if Henderson can’t beat Machida, his time has passed.

6. Size matters – In Jon Jones last bout, he beat a middleweight coming off of a loss. Jones needs this fight to prove he can beat someone as tall as him with the same size reach, and erase the memory of the Sonnen match.

5. Glover who? – Glover Teixeira is a few wins away from a title shot, but he doesn’t have the fan recognition that Gustafsson has had. While he finished Te Huna in the first round at UFC 160, you need to beet a Rua, Henderson, Evans, or other gate keeper to get a shot at the belt.

4. Cormier needs Dolce – Daniel Cormier is the only dark horse option for the bout, but with his uninspired performance versus Frank Mir at heavyweight there isn’t much interest in this bout now. Perhaps after an impressive debut after dropping to light heavyweight, it could be a high profile fight that would make sense… but right now, it’s off the table.

3. Machida is booked – It is reported now that Lyoto Machida will face Phil Davis in Rio at UFC 163 in August, so this option is no longer available. Dana White has also already stated that nobody wants to see this fight again… neither do I.

2. Slå han på käften! – He started with the Harlem Shake and even went to Russia to get in the Champ’s face. The usually reserved Swede has gone out of his way to make some noise. The Mauler wants this fight, and it’s not for money or fame. The Swede will come to fight.