Alexander Gustafsson stops Jimi Manuwa in UFC main event
Underdog Jimi Manuwa was game and had his moments against No. 1 light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson on Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 37 in London, England, but ultimately the Swede prevailed with a nasty second-round TKO stoppage. It didn't take Gustafsson long afterward to call out division champion Jon Jones, whom Gustafsson lost a controversial decision to last year in a fight most observers thought at least warranted an immediate rematch between the two.
"Jon Jones, I want my title shot again. I'm right here. Whenever you want, man. Whenever you want," Gustafsson shouted in his post-fight interview with interviewer Dan Hardy.
Gustafsson worked Manuwa to the ground in the first round, staying away from the powerful Brit's strikes. From there, Gustafsson used steady striking from on top in the full guard and half guard for most of the first round.
Early in the second round, Gustafsson accidentally poked Manuwa in the right eye, prompting the referee to step in and give the British fighter time to recover. Soon after restarting, Manuwa had his best moments of the fight, landing two big overhand rights to the head of Gustafsson.
The Swede returned fire, however, first with a clipping uppercut that gave Manuwa pause, then with a knee flush to his jaw. Manuwa was wobbled badly by the knee and two more uppercut punches from Gustafsson put him down to the mat.
Gustafsson landed two more big hammerfists to the face of the grounded Manuwa and the referee stepped in to call the fight. Gustafsson now awaits to see who will prevail in April between Jones and challenger Glover Teixeira in their light heavyweight title bout.
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