Alexander Gustafsson
UFC 2009–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 87.0
Scouting report
Length, boxing footwork, and fluid combinations allowed Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson to push prime Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to close decisions in two of the most competitive title fights in UFC history. Hailing from Arboga, Sweden, Gustafsson headlined cards with stoppage wins over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz, his boxing reflected in an 85 Boxing rating and 76 Kickboxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Gustafsson established himself as a title challenger across 2012 and 2013, defeating Thiago Silva in Stockholm and former champion Mauricio Rua in Seattle, before pushing pound-for-pound king Jon Jones across twenty-five rounds in a 2013 Fight of the Year at UFC 165 in Toronto. His footwork, boxing angles, and takedown defense are reflected in an 89 Boxing and 90 Cardio.
In 2014 and 2015, Gustafsson knocked out Jimi Manuwa in London, dropped a stoppage to Anthony Johnson in front of 30,000 fans in Stockholm, and engaged Daniel Cormier in a five-round title fight at UFC 192 in Houston, dropping the champion with a knee before losing a split decision. His combinations and wrestling defense anchor his 90 Boxing and 87 Fight IQ.
Gustafsson put together dominant light heavyweight performances across 2016 and 2017, defeating Jan Blachowicz in Hamburg and delivering a boxing display with five uppercuts to knock out Glover Teixeira in the fifth round in Stockholm. His straight boxing combinations, lateral footwork, and wrestling defense justify his 91 Boxing and 90 Cardio.
Gustafsson challenged Jon Jones for the vacant light heavyweight belt in their December 2018 rematch at UFC 232 in Los Angeles, dropping a third-round TKO defeat, before suffering a fourth-round submission loss to Anthony Smith in Stockholm in June 2019. His volume boxing, reach management, and defensive wrestling are captured in his 89 Boxing and 85 Wrestling.
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Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Alexander Gustafsson is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Alexander Gustafsson's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.