Two of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the entire world are set to square off at the spring, and below are my initial thoughts on this pivotal matchup in 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both guys coming off of reductions to Jon Jones in their last individual outings, the UFC matchmakers have gone matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith to the primary 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 struggle that makes sense with the two guys needing to rally following their losses to Jones. Gustafsson suffered a TKO defeat to Jones in the primary event of UFC 232, while Smith dropped a lopsided decision to Jones in UFC 235. Together with the UFC having a principal event because of its return to Sweden, it naturally made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, and for Smith it’s a chance to get another main event fight after years of being a journeyman from the game.
At the exact same time, nevertheless, it is very surprising to see Smith get back in the cage soon and sign a bout agreement not two weeks after having beat up real good by Jones in UFC 235. Smith didn’t mount much crime in that fight and bore the brunt about 25 minutes of Jones’ attacks, and afterwards said he wished to take time off to rest and unwind after a busy schedule in 2018 and 2019. Certainly, however, the allure of becoming another major event slot against a leading competition like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to maneuver 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 among the best contenders in 205lbs for much of the 2010s but has never been in a position to acquire the title despite three fractures in 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 at Jones. He revealed against Jones that he’s simply not about the champ’s degree, but he remains a very solid contender at 205lbs.
As for the opening betting line with this battle, I feel the oddsmakers will set Gustafsson as the favored here, though I doubt he opens over 2-to-1. Smith has shown since moving up to light heavyweight that he has more knockout power and durability in his new weight class, and I would not completely count him from this fight. However, Gustafsson is the more skilled fighter and will obviously be fighting in his hometown which should give him a boost. Regardless of who wins, this should be a rather exciting matchup between two of the top dogs at the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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