Three-time UFC title challenger [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] thinks he still has more to offer the sport of MMA. But he won’t step back in the octagon without knowing he still belongs at the highest level.
Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) announced his retirement in June 2019 when, in his hometown of Stockholm, he suffered a submission loss to Anthony Smith in the UFC on ESPN+ 11 main event. He pointed to a dwindling drive after a storied career. But even then, the door seemed open for a future return.
Reports began to emerge in late 2019 that Gustafsson was considering a comeback, but he’s been largely tight-lipped in recent months. He recently spoke to MMA Junkie, though, and confirmed that while he hasn’t made a final decision, things are trending in a positive direction.
“I’m (going to be) honest with you: I’m 33 years old and I feel like I’ve got a couple more years in me,” Gustafsson said. “I just have to do it correctly this time, and I was actually looking to go to American before this coronavirus (expletive) happened – to go there and train just to get the feeling again and change the environment. I can’t give a yes or a no, but I’m training and it feels good.”
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Like much of the world, Gustafsson is stuck in lockdown in his native Sweden while the world tries to contain the coronavirus pandemic. He said he’s still getting in minimal workouts around the house, but it’s not the type of work that will help him make any decisions for his fighting career.
In recent years, Gustafsson has remained on home soil for his training camps at Allstars Training Center. Earlier in his career, though, he would frequently visit the U.S. and do either a portion or the entirety of his preparation at Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif.
Traveling Stateside is not in the cards at the moment, but Gustafsson said he hopes to venture overseas in the near future, because he thinks it’s needed to determine if he’s capable of a comeback.
“I remember that feeling to get away and get that focus in and get that tunnel-vision and go against guys that are actually better than you,” Gustafsson said. “It’s not about age in this sport. It’s about having fun and to keep evolving. I feel like I need to get out there in the deep waters again and test my skills against many guys and get better as a fighter, then see what’s next.”
Gustafsson said he’s quite confident his skills still hold up against the 2020 crop of light heavyweights, despite not owning a win since May 2017. However, he must prove it to himself in practice. Gustafsson said he’s healthy and in a good place from a physical perspective, but said it’s his mind that needs the most work before committing to competing again.
“It’s a mental thing,” Gustafsson said. “That’s the type of athlete I am. I love to be at home and I feel very comfortable being at home around my kids, and I go to the gym. Don’t get me wrong, we have some really tough guys in the gym. But you train with the same guys too long and you start knowing what the guys are going to do. That’s why we’re looking – not even for a fight camp – just go out there to America and train.
“I want to get tested again and get that feeling of being in deep waters. It motivates me a lot, too. It’s definitely a mental thing for me. I’m always prepared – my conditioning is always there and my strength, but it’s a mental thing.”
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