"I want fight the champ after this fight, that's what I want to do. My focus is on Shogun 100 percent, but when I win the fight, I will - I want to fight for the belt. What I really need to be looking out for when it comes to Shogun is his heart. He is willing to take a beating to get what he wants, so it's a fighter you have to - the more you punch him the better he gets, so it's a tricky opponent. Then he has really good knockout power, good kicks, he has a good double leg, take people down and leg locks, you know, that's his thing. So it's a tricky fighter and the best opponent so far. It will be a stand-up war. Shogun is a very aggressive fighter and he hits very hard, but he doesn't have proper technique. I will be fast, I will be keep my technique, keep my game plan and I will stay on the outside, and I will, you know, take my time." -Alexander Gustafsson via Fuel TV.
UFC light-heavyweight prospect Alexander Gustafsson wants to fight current UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones after he beats former light-heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua at UFC on FOX 5.
Gustafsson is currently considered by many to be Jones biggest potential threat in light-heavyweight division. The Swedish mixed martial artist is taller than Jones, but will still give up an astounding 10-inch reach advantage when the two eventually meet.
Gustafsson is a dangerous striker, however, whose only mixed martial arts defeat came at the hands of former stand out collegiate wrestler Phil Davis at UFC 112 via anaconda choke in the first round. Since then, Gustafsson has trained alongside Davis developing his ever improving takedown defense and wrestling.
Gustafsson currently holds an impressive 6-1 record in the UFC with notable wins over James Te Huna, Matt Hamill, and Thiago Silva.
His opponent, Rua (21-6), is coming off of an impressive knockout victory against UFC veteran Brandon Vera at UFC on FOX 4.
UFC on FOX 5 is scheduled for Dec. 8 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington.