Two of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the entire world are set to square off in the spring, and below are my initial thoughts on this critical matchup at 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both guys coming from reductions to Jon Jones in their last respective outings, the UFC matchmakers have gone matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith to the main event of UFC Fight Night 152. The card occurs June 1 in 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 that makes sense with the two men needing to rally after their losses to Jones. Gustafsson suffered a TKO defeat to Jones at the primary event of UFC 232, while Smith lost a lopsided decision to Jones at UFC 235. Together with the UFC having a main event for its return to Sweden, it naturally made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, and for Smith it has a chance to get another main event fight after decades of being a journeyman in the sport.
At precisely the same time, nevertheless, it is very surprising to see Smith get back in the cage soon and signal up a bout agreement not two weeks after having beat up real good by Jones in UFC 235. Smith didn’t mount much offense in that fight and bore the brunt about 25 minutes of Jones’ strikes, and afterwards said he wanted to take time off to rest and unwind after a busy schedule in 2018 and 2019. Certainly, though, the allure of becoming another main event slot against a top competition like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to maneuver on.
Gustafsson (18-5) is 10-5 overall from the UFC and prior to the reduction to Jones had won back fights over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Always a bridesmaid, Gustafsson has been one of the best contenders in 205lbs for much of the 2010s but hasn’t been able to acquire the title despite three cracks in itagainst Jones and one against Daniel Cormier. Smith (31-14) is 7-4 overall from 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 revealed against Jones that he is simply not on the champ’s degree, but he still remains a very solid contender at 205lbs.
In terms of the opening betting line with this battle, I feel the oddsmakers will place Gustafsson as the favorite here, though I doubt he opens over 2-to-1. Smith has revealed since moving up to light heavyweight he has more knockout power and durability in his new weight class, and I wouldn’t completely count him from this fight. Still, Gustafsson is the skilled fighter and will of course be fighting in his hometown that ought to give him a boost. Regardless of who wins, this should be a very exciting matchup between two of the greatest dogs in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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