Alexander Gustafsson to meet Anthony Johnson in Sweden
The UFC announced Wednesday the makings of a monster card on Fox for January, with the main event pitting Alexander Gustafsson against Anthony Johnson with the winner earning the next shot at the UFC light heavyweight title.
The bout will be on Jan. 24 in Stockholm, Sweden, at Tele2 Arena in Sweden, a dome which can hold in excess of 30,000 fans for soccer and likely more for mixed martial arts. It willl be shown live nationally in the U.S. on Fox.
The No. 1-ranked Gustafsson was supposed to rematch champion Jon Jones for the belt in the main event of UFC 178 in Las Vegas on Sept. 27, but had to pull out because of a knee injury. He'll know fight the No. 3-ranked Johnson for the right to meet the winner of the Jan. 3 championship bout between Jones and No. 2 Daniel Cormier that is behind held in Las Vegas.
"This is going to be an epic event,” Gustafsson said in a statement released by the UFC. “I want more than 30,000 fans to come and witness me win on Jan. 24. Then I’m going to go and get the title. My journey back to the top starts now."
Johnson, who was recently reinstated by the UFC after allegations of domestic violence against him could not be proven, said he is eager to challenge Gustafsson in Gustafsson's home country.
Johnson is coming off a decisive victory over Phil Davis in the co-main event of UFC 172 and a first-round knockout of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC on Fox in San Jose on July 26.
"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 in a statement. “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 co-main event features Dan Henderson's return to middleweight against Gegard Mousasi. Matt Brown will meet former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine on the main card.
Related Video:
