[ads2]The Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation decided to pull top-ranked light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson from Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 main event bout versus Gegard Mousasi in Stockholm. Gustafsson received a cut over his left eye during training that required three stitches and the SMMAF Medical Committee deemed him unable to compete.
Three stitches. Really?
UFC President Dana White posted his reaction to the regulatory body’s decision on Twitter, along with a photo of Gustafsson and his “injury”:
This pic was taken of Gustafsson today and u can't even see the cut!!! Worst decision I have EVER seen to pull fight pic.twitter.com/u5YwsxA0Pf
— danawhite (@danawhite) April 3, 2013
On Tuesday’s UFC Tonight, co-host Rashad Evans questioned why Gustafsson would even tell the Swedish Athletic Commission about the cut in the first place. “I mean you have three stitches, you don’t have to tell the commission about it,” Evans said. “You’re volunteering information that you shouldn’t be. I know guys that had stitches going into it and as long as they make it past the physical on Friday before the fight, they’re good to go. I mean three stitches? Maybe it was deeper or worse than it looks.”
Regardless, Gustafsson is out and fortunately for Mousasi, he will still at least get to fight, although it’s a very high risk fight against a relatively obscure and unknown opponent, Ilir Latifi (7-2), who is Gustafsson’s main training partner in Sweden.
Gustafsson issued an apology to his fans via his official website:
“It is of course extremely sad when [my] training camp has gone very well. Except for the eyebrow, I am in my best form and completely ready for the match. It is also sad for my opponent, Gegard Mousasi, who has also been training long and hard for this match. My team and I have done everything we can to get set up and compete despite the cut; it is unfortunately not in our hands anymore. I am extremely sorry for this, and I feel [for] Gegard Mousasi. The next step now is that I sit down with the team and [start] planning the future. Thanks again for all your support!”
What are your thoughts on Gustafsson’s “injury”? Should have he risked keeping the cut a secret?
[ads1]