A couple of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the entire world are set to square off at the spring, and here are my initial thoughts on this pivotal matchup in 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both men coming from reductions to Jon Jones in their last individual outings, the UFC matchmakers have gone matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith for the main event of UFC Fight Night 152. The card takes place June 1 at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, also this five-round headlining bout was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
At first glance, this is a fight which makes sense with both men needing to rebound following their losses to Jones. Gustafsson endured a TKO defeat to Jones in the primary event of UFC 232, while Smith lost a lopsided decision to Jones in UFC 235. With the UFC having a main event because of its return to Sweden, it naturally made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, also for Smith it has a chance to get another main event fight after years of being a journeyman in the game.
At precisely the same time, nevertheless, it’s very surprising to see Smith get back into the cage soon and sign up a bout agreement not two weeks after getting beat up real good by Jones at UFC 235. Smith did not mount much crime in that fight and bore the brunt of 25 minutes of Jones’ strikes, and afterwards said he wished to take time off to rest and relax after a busy schedule in 2018 and 2019. Certainly, though, the allure of getting another main event slot against a leading competition like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to pass on.
Gustafsson (18-5) is 10-5 overall in the UFC and before the loss to Jones had won back fights over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Always a bridesmaid, Gustafsson has been one of the top contenders in 205lbs for much of this 2010s but hasn’t been in a position to acquire the title despite three cracks at it, two against Jones and one against Daniel Cormier. Smith (31-14) is 7-4 overall in the UFC but is 3-1 since moving up to light heavyweight, with wins over Mauricio”Shogun” Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir winning him a shot Jones. He showed against Jones that he’s just not about the champ’s level, but he still remains a very solid contender at 205lbs.
In terms of the opening betting line with this battle, I believe the oddsmakers will place Gustafsson as the favored here, though I doubt he unlocks over 2-to-1. Smith has shown since moving up to light heavyweight he has more knockout power and endurance at his new weight class, and I would not totally count him out of this fight. However, Gustafsson is the more skilled fighter and will of course be fighting in his hometown which should give him a boost. Regardless of who wins, this ought to be a rather exciting matchup between two of the top dogs in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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