Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will face off in a title eliminator match TONIGHT (Sat., Jan. 24, 2015) at UFC on FOX 14 inside Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Between these two dangerous strikers, what adjustments must be made for either man in order to claim victory? Find out how below!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweights Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will scrap for a title shot TONIGHT (Sat., Jan. 24, 2015) at UFC on FOX 14 in primetime inside Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Gustafsson is still working toward a rematch with 205-pound kingpin Jon Jones. Having pushed "Bones" farther than anyone, there's plenty of interest in that rematch. Still, the Swede needs to keep his focus on his upcoming opponent, as he must first take out "Rumble."
Speaking of, Johnson is looking better than ever at light heavyweight. Undefeated since being cut from the UFC, Johnson made his return violently, knocking around Phil Davis for a decision win prior to flattening Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Let's take a look at the keys to victory for both fighters.
Alexander Gustafsson
Record: 16-2
Key Wins: Mauricio Rua (UFC on FOX 5), Thiago Silva (UFC on Fuel TV 2), Jimi Manuwa (UFC Fight Night 37)
Key Losses: Jon Jones (UFC 165), Phil Davis (UFC 112)
Keys to Victory: Outside of Jon Jones, there are no lightweights as tall and lanky than Gustafsson. Using his agile movement and quick punches, Gustafsson is often able to pick apart his opponents, which has resulted in an impressive ten knockout wins.
In this bout, Gustafsson has a few advantages. Overall, he's a better technical boxer and moves with more fluidity than his opponent. For the most part, that means Gustafsson should get the better of boxing exchanges, especially when he's able to freely circle.
In addition, Gustafsson's conditioning is more proven. Until he get rocked by an elbow late in the fourth, Gustafsson was keeping pace just fine with Jones, which is a very difficult task to accomplish. Johnson has not really slowed down in a light heavyweight bout yet, but he's also never been pushed.
To capitalize on this potential advantage, Gustafsson should attack with his body jab often. Not only is this a difficult strike to counter with punches -- Gustafsson does need to be mindful of the head kick though -- but it interrupts his opponent's breathing and movements.
Later in the fight, Gustafsson should also mix in some takedown attempts. If he gets them, his foe has a habit of turning flat and giving up the rear naked choke. In fact, Gustafsson has already submitted two striking specialists with the rear naked already, so looking for a third would not hurt.
Anthony Johnson
Record: 18-4
Key Wins: Phil Davis (UFC 172), Andrei Arlovski (WSOF 2), Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (UFC on FOX 12)
Key Losses: Vitor Belfort (UFC 142), Josh Koscheck (UFC 106)
Keys to Victory: Johnson is an insanely powerful kickboxer, and his overall technique has really improved since he joined the Blackzilians fight team. Across his career, Johnson has finished a dozen opponents via knockout.
To find Gustafsson's chin, Johnson needs to stalk his opponent and cut off the cage. Gustafsson is the longer fighter and fights like it, so Johnson needs to close the distance, where his big advantage -- pure power -- is at its most useful.
However, Johnson cannot get too aggressive. If he tries to close range without head movement or feints, he'll likely just run into a jab or straight for his trouble.
Additionally, Johnson needs to be ready to explode into counter punches at all time. Chasing Gustafsson down could prove difficult, but he could also have success by waiting for Gustafsson to come to him with a combination. Then, Johnson could attack with his own combination, when he knows that Gustafsson is in his range.
Finally, Johnson could have success at landing low kicks as Gustafsson circles. If he can slow Gustafsson's movement or even make him hesitate a bit, it would make it much easier to connect with big punches.
Bottom Line: The winner will take on Jon Jones.
Gustafsson has been waiting for this rematch longer than he expected. At first, it seemed an immediate rematch was an imminent. Then, he had to dispose of Manuwa, which he did quickly. Unfortunately, an injury meant that now he has to face off with "Rumble."
All the Swede wants is a second chance at "Bones," and a win here gets him just that.
On the other hand, Johnson pretty much came out of nowhere to become a contender in the last year. Before that, he was looked at as talented and on his way back to the UFC, but not as top 5 material. Now, he's just a single victory away from challenging for the title.
That's not a bad career turnaround.
For either men, a loss would not actually be that big of a burden in terms of standings. Within the next two years, both men will likely fight for the title either way, as Jones is making a habit of destroying contenders. Besides, most fans would rather see the loser of this bout challenge Jones than the winner of the other light heavyweight main card bout, Phil Davis vs. Ryan Bader.
At UFC on FOX 14, Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will go to war in a title eliminator. Which man will earn a battle with the champion?
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