As an opponent is sought out for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua with Thiago Silva out, Alexander Gustafsson’s name is being mentioned as an option. However, as pointed out by Bloody Elbow this morning that on the official Facebook page of Shogun, a post eliminates the Mauler as an option due to an injury.

Post by Shogun’s Manager Julio Heller

“Thiago Silva’s injury has left Shogun without an opponent for his next UFC fight.

Due to a series of injuries in the light heavyweight class Shogun’s manager, Julio Heller, and his team are working around the possibility that the UFC will alter other cards in order to match Shogun with his next opponent.

-The name Rashad Evans has been talked about but he is injured. Same goes for Minotouro. Gustafsson was another option but it seems like he has a broken hand and will only be back in October. For us the only options left at the time are Phil Davis, who is fighting Wagner Caldeirão in August, and Ryan Bader, who is fighting Lyoto in the same event. But I still believe these fights can be rearranged. UFC 149 is pay-per-view and the one on Aug. 4th is open TV in the US. But this is all what’s been going on in our heads. We are still waiting on the UFC – said Julio Heller.”

Original Post at https://www.facebook.com/mauriciorua.shogun

MMA Viking will seek confirmation on this statement, stay tuned for more.

Update

Although Rua’s manager has come out with this statement, there haven’t been any independent confirmation of this.

Martin Johansson, MMANytt.se founder, is reporting that there is nothing wrong with Gustafsson. UFC press representative Roberta Casalino tells MMANytt “I confirm that there is nothing wrong with Alex’s hand,”

Gustafsson today also tells FighterMag.se “The hand is great, no idea where they got the rumor from.” He also tells the Fighter Magazine that no new matches have been booked.

See Alexander Gustafsson September Return Most Likely Article for More Inforamtion