Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com
In a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem, Alexander Gustafsson made a big name for himself with his 1st round TKO victory over veteran Vladimir Matyushenko. The fight was stopped at 2:35 of round 1 after a Gustafsson left hand. The 24 year old Swede is now 13-1 overall, 5-1 in the UFC, while The Janitor suffers just the 6th loss of his lengthy career, dropping to 26-6 overall.
This fight was a chance for Gustafsson to truly establish himself as a big player at 205, and he made the most of the opportunity. He showed superior stand-up through the round, using his size well. The end came as Matyushenko moved in to attack. Gustafsson timed a counter jab perfectly, catching Vlad flush as his hands were down and his momentum coming forward, and putting him out.
What was the high spot of this fight?
Clearly, the KO. Beautiful timing and execution displayed by Gustafsson.
Where do these guys go from here?
Gustafsson goes up, up, up. It's hard not to draw comparisons to the last man who defeated Matyushenko - Jon Jones. But there's a reason for those comparisons, as Gustafsson is young and seems poised for greatness. There are a lot of options for his next fight - Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Stephan Bonnar, one of Rampage or Ryan Bader depending how that goes - but I'd most like to see him against Rich Franklin if that works with Franklin's anticipated return.
Some are calling for Matyushenko to retire after this loss. But despite being 40 and coming off this loss, I don't think he's there just yet - after all, he is just one fight removed from the big KO of Jason Brilz. There's still life in this veteran yet. I'd love to see him against Kyle Kingsbury next time out.
Watch it now, later or never?
Now. It's a short fight that welcomes a major new name to the division. Make no mistake, Gustafsson is one of THE names to watch in 2012 - start watching now.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 141 in the full entry.
0 recs | 39 comments
dont know if anyone here is from new england or a redsox fan but I cant believe how much Gustafsson looks like Daniel Bard.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
HOLY SHIT hahah
HE looks exactly like him hhahahah
NEW-HAMPSHIRE - January 1, 2012
OwMyArm - January 1, 2012
Reminds me a bit of Jenson Button
Shaun32887 - January 3, 2012
ALEXANDERGUSTAFSSON!!!!!
taptomyarmbar - January 1, 2012
I don't think Bonnar is a big test enough,
on the other hand, I like to see him win again, so give him Bonnar to headline the card in Sweden. Bonner or lil Nog.
blodpalt - January 1, 2012
Lil Nog in sweden seems perfect.
Bonnar would be a step down from Hammil and Matyushenko imo, so i definately don’t want to see that matchup.
Magaca - January 1, 2012
My dislike for Bonnar's terrible strength of schedule
makes me approve of that fight. Bonnar would get hurt.
pdl - January 1, 2012 via mobile
They almost gave Bonnar Rampage in Japan
so with that being the case i don’t think it’s too big of a step up…besides he needs to be brought along slowly
AfroSamurai - January 1, 2012
let's see how long it takes to see if
the topic of how Brock would destroy Alexander will arise
liptondrift - January 1, 2012
Huh?
Hugin - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Man Brock would DESTROY Alexander
dedstrk316 - January 1, 2012
The Mauler is one of my favorite fighters to watch. He’s going to do big things.
dynamitelungs - January 1, 2012
Can we talk
about what a terrible stoppage that was? Matyushenko was covering up and he was never unconscious. The ref should have warned him to move before he jumped in for the premature stoppage.
malkav - January 1, 2012
You're kidding right?
taptomyarmbar - January 1, 2012
i feel you
but you have to see where the punches were landing and what matyushenko was doing. they were landing right behind the ear and he wasn’t moving – literally was doing nothing.
sure he was not out – but when you do not attempt to defend yourself that is basically the honourable way of “tapping out.”
Clifford J - January 1, 2012
Similiar stoppage to the JOnes fight
Wasn’t going out but wasn’t getting out either, so the ref stops it. Would have liked to see more Gus though so I was saddened. Bring back Forrest or Franklin for Gus to smash.
cager - January 1, 2012
Hopefully
Will see him fight live in Stockholm in April. Does anyone in Sweden know if the tickets are on sale yet?
taptomyarmbar - January 1, 2012
What about gustafsson against griffin?
I’d favor Alexander to win but it’s another tough test and I think it really lines him up for title contention
Rabbit915 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Griffin has been talking about being done, and I hope he is. His heart just doesn’t seem in it. Do we really need to see him get smashed by Gustafsson?
Fraser Coffeen - January 1, 2012
From the UFCs point of view
It takes a guy who’s on his way out, out of contendership and plugs in a new fresh face. From that point of view it’s a perfect matchup. It’s also not a good fight for Forrest other than that he gets paid.
Rabbit915 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
For me, the only fight I’d like to see Griffin in is completing the trilogy against Tito Ortiz. Otherwise, Griffin would just be used as a stepping stone for Gustaffson. It’s not uncommon though to see a veteran on his way out to have a fight against an up-and-comer to give him the “rub.”
chrisbboy82 - January 2, 2012
i remember when everyone was saying not to "rush" jones
so he fought vera, vladdy and then bader, when i was ready to give him a title shot, basically. not sure whether jones needed the babying but in hindsight there is no doubt that was the right decision.
i would say that about gustafsson now for sure. remember – he got beaten pretty easily by davis, and struggled against te huna. his win against the janitor was quality, but at the same time, despite the quick win, i don’t feel like he blew him out of the water. matyushenko’s punch “almost” landed, etc.
lil nog is probably a good match up for him at this point, but i would not object to bonnar or griffin.
Clifford J - January 1, 2012
I did not know he got easily beaten by Davis, oh well so much for him beating Jones.
Kefka - January 1, 2012
That fight was pretty good
Both we’re still very new and have changed quite a bit since then. Gus’s wrestling should be getting better since he trains with Davis now.
cager - January 1, 2012
Kid is Legit. Would love to see him against franklin or lil Nog. I think he is a legit threat to Jones. I actually wouldnt mind Him vs Bader to but I think the UFC is trying to build Bader back up.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Not feeling this kid yet.
Nothing in that fight stood out. I’ll wait and see.
Crazynutts - January 1, 2012
Watch the Hammill fight.
av1o3 - January 1, 2012
While Gustaffson did get the finish on Hamill, I wasn’t that impressed as Hamill was actually getting his jab through and other strikes. It wasn’t a bad performance or anything, but I don’t know if that was the fight that really shows off his abilities.
chrisbboy82 - January 2, 2012
I think his striking is brutal hes got serious power and his tall with a long reach and doesnt have chicken legs.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
His reach is not that long, much shorter than Jones.
Kefka - January 1, 2012
He's not that tall either, much shorter than Struve
Chris Hall - January 1, 2012
alot of people are shorter than Struve.. and I dont think anyone has the reach of Jones. Hes got the power to KO Jones.
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
Could argue that Jones
Has the best Submission offense in LHW right now. I’d like to see a challenger with decent enough defense fight him.
Dan would get tired out subbed/Rashad rocked and subbed or pounded out/Davis beat up on the feet (waiting to see rashad fight for improvements)/Gus would get taken down and subbed.
Key being, train that jitz LHWs. And wrestling….. and decent enough striking defense…and you might lose a decision.
cager - January 1, 2012
Jones has awesome chokes.
Kefka - January 1, 2012
It will be hard with an 8 inch reach disadvantage and even more so after Jones takes him down.
Kefka - January 1, 2012
Hard for anyone Jones is a freak of nature
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
he’s *
mlzybaby - January 1, 2012
I'd love to see a fight between him and Bonnar in Sweden
AfroSamurai - January 1, 2012
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