ATLANTA – Alexander Gustafsson raised some eyebrows when he said in a recent interview that losing to Anthony Smith at UFC on ESPN+ 10 could mean that “maybe I don’t have it anymore.” It feels like a dramatic statement, and one that puts a lot of pressure on Gustafsson (18-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) to perform when he meets Smith (31-14 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in the light heavyweight headliner in June. “The Mauler” has lost some big fights in his career, though, and another setback in a key contender matchup could spell the end of his title aspirations for good. Smith didn’t take Gustafsson’s comments personally, and said the quotes looked worse in text than they did coming from his mouth. Gustafsson clarified his intent, though, and it wasn’t to put “Lionheart” down – but rather prop himself up. “I’m here to fight the best and to beat the best,” Gustafsson said this past Friday at a UFC news conference announcing much of its second quarter schedule. “That’s what I meant by that interview.
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UFC Stockholm: Alexander Gustafsson clarifies comments on stakes of Anthony Smith fight – MMA Junkie