We recently reported that Alexander Gustafsson would be facing Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, but those plans have changed due to a recent injury to Nogueira. UFC officials have announced that Gustafsson will now face undefeated Jimi Manuwa on the upcoming UFC Fight Night card that will take place in London on March 8th.
Gustaffson (15-2) is coming off a “Fight of the Year” performance at UFC 165 where he lost to Jon Jones via unanimous decision in his bid to pull off a huge upset. There was talk of an immediate rematch, but those talks have cooled and now Gustafsson will take on Nogueira. If Gustafsson defeats Nogueira and Jon Jones successfully defends his title against Glover Teixeira, Gustafsson will earn the rematch with Jones for a second shot at the UFC light heavyweight title.
Manuwa (14-0) is coming off his third consecutive win in the UFC with a TKO (injury) win over Ryan Jimmo in October. He has won all three fights via TKO/KO with all of his fights taking place in England. That latter part was probably huge in using him as a replacement as fighting Gustafsson will be a significant jump up in competition. However, Manuwa is no spring chicken and with him soon turning 34 years old, he needs to make a move up the UFC light heavyweight ladder quickly.
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(((FIRST))))
So they give the champ glover texiera,,,,and they give gustafson some cupcake,,,,,what total b.)ullshit!!!
All of Manuwa’s fights have taken place in England….he’s popular there….plus…they really want Jones/Gustafsson 2….this fight should allow that to happen….plus…be a decent draw locally for English fans…
Each confrontation will bring certain things interesting, I’m looking forward to this. Hopefully there will be many surprises or.