Swedish top-ranked light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson will get the rare opportunity to showcase his talents in a stadium in front of his home fans when he meets knockout artist and number three-ranked Anthony Johnson on Saturday, January 24, in Stockholm, Sweden. The bout is a contender eliminator, with the winner becoming the next UFC light heavyweight title challenger.
“This is going to be an epic event,” said Gustafsson, who defeated Jimi Manuwa in his last bout in March. “I want more than 30,000 fans to come and witness me win on January 24. Then I’m going to go and get the title! My journey back to the top starts now. ”
Gustafsson, 27, narrowly lost his title bid to reigning champion Jon “Bones” Jones in the greatest light heavyweight title fight of all time in September 2013. His opponent, Johnson, has been on a roll with eight straight victories, including a devastating knockout win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his last bout.
More than 30,000 fans are expected to attend at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, marking just the second major stadium event in UFC history and the first in Europe. The previous stadium event was UFC 129 held at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada.
“This fight might be on his home turf, but I’m ready to go over to Sweden and prove that I’m the next in the line for the UFC light heavyweight title,” Johnson said. “I’m not intimidated by fighting in front of Alex’s hometown fans. I’m going to go in there and look for the knockout like I do in all of my fights. I can’t wait for this!”
The event will be broadcast live on FOX at 5 p.m. PT, with Prelims starting at 2 p.m. PT on FOX Sports 1. Tickets will be available to the general public on Friday, Nov. 28 via AXS.com/UFC.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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