In just over a year on from announcing his retirement, emerging reports are claiming Alexander Gustafsson (18-7) is on the verge of returning back in action soon. According to Brazilian news publication Combate via gooner news, the “Mauler” will come out of retirement and move up to heavyweight where he will be in line to face former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum (23-9-1).
According to reports, Alexander Gustafsson v Fabricio Werdum fight will take place on July 25 in the undisclosed Fight Island location. The report adds further that, Ovince Saint Preux — who also recently made the move up to heavyweight — will serve as the backup option in case Werdum is unable to compete. And also, there is no word as of yet as to whether it will headline the event. And if you’re interested in betting on the fight online in Pennsylvania, you can take to TVG review to learn about one of the best fighting offers available in PA.
Gustafsson announced his retirement back in June 2019 following his fourth-round submission defeat to Anthony Smith in the UFC Stockholm headliner. The setback he encountered in the fight put the former heavyweight title challenger on a two-fight losing streak following his second title defeat to Jon Jones in December 2018.
However, he would experience a change of heart just a few months later as he spoke of a comeback and was even open to a potential fight with Luke Rockhold as well as a move to heavyweight. As it turns out, it will be the latter. “I’m about 240-245 lbs. I’m a heavyweight right now” said the Swede at the time that was well fed after an enjoyable summer.
As for Fabricio Werdum, however, the Brazilian recently returned to action at UFC 249 in May after over two years he has been out of action due to problems with the United States Anti-Doping Agency. He would fight to a split decision loss to Aleksei Oleinik which also put him on a two-fight losing streak.
Elsewhere, A trilogy fight between veteran Brazilian stars Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been targeted as the co-main event for UFC On ESPN 10 on July 25th, which is expected to take place on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’. That’s the word from Dana White, who said on Steve-O’s podcast that it’s currently in the works, but hasn’t yet been finalized.
A trilogy fight between veteran Brazilian stars Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been targeted as the co-main event for UFC On ESPN 10 on July 25th, which is expected to take place on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’. That’s the word from Dana White, who said on Steve-O’s podcast that it’s currently in the works, but hasn’t yet been finalized.
The first encounter between the pair took place all the way back at PRIDE Critical Countdown in 2005 and turned out to be an instant classic, which Shogun won by unanimous decision. They then fought again at UFC 198 in 2016 and again it was Shogun who got the nod on the scorecards, while the bout also achieved ‘Fight Of The Night’ status.
Shogun vs. Lil Nog would join a UFC On ESPN 10 card according to gooner news, that currently features the likes of Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann and Gian Villante vs. Maurice Green.
