Alexander Gustafsson to end retirement, books July 25 fight with Fabricio Werdum on ‘Fight Island’
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Alexander Gustafsson’s retirement is ending, and will be trying a new weight class on for size.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Gustafsson will take on former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum at the UFC’s “Fight Island” event on July 25. The location of “Fight Island” could be revealed next week, UFC President Dana White said on Thursday.
Combate was first to report the booking.
Gustafsson, 33, announced his short-lived retirement following back-to-back losses in bouts against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Anthony Smith. “The Mauler” was submitted by Smith in the main event of UFC Stockholm in June 2019. Gustafsson will make his 17th octagon appearance and his first in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Werdum looks to snap a two-fight losing skid when he takes on the three-time title challenger. “Vai Cavalo” was finished by Alexander Volkov via fourth-round TKO in the main event of the UFC’s London event in March 2018, and he returned to action at UFC 249 following a reduced suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency for “substantial assistance.” The Kings MMA product lost a split decision to Aleksei Oleinik after two-plus years on the sidelines.
The UFC’s July 25 event is headlined by a middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.