Two of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the world are set to square off in the spring, and here are my initial thoughts on this critical matchup in 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both men coming off of losses to Jon Jones in their last respective excursions, the UFC matchmakers have gone matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith for the primary event of UFC Fight Night 152. The card occurs June 1 in Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, also this five-round headlining bout was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
At first glance, this is a struggle that make bets online s sense with both men needing to rebound following their losses to Jones. Gustafsson suffered a TKO defeat to Jones at the main event of UFC 232, while Smith dropped a lopsided decision to Jones in UFC 235. With the UFC having a main event for its return to Sweden, it obviously made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, also for Smith it’s a chance to get another major event fight after decades of being a journeyman in the sport.
At precisely the exact same time, nevertheless, it is very surprising to see Smith get back in the cage so soon and signal a bout agreement not two weeks after getting beat up real good by Jones in UFC 235. Smith didn’t mount much offense in that struggle and bore the brunt of 25 minutes of Jones’ attacks, and afterwards said he wanted to take time away to rest and relax after a busy schedule in 2018 and 2019. Certainly, however, the allure of becoming another major event slot against a leading competition like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to pass on.
Gustafsson (18-5) is 10-5 overall in the UFC and prior to the reduction to Jones had won back-to-back conflicts over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Always a lady, Gustafsson has been one of the top contenders at 205lbs for much of this 2010s but hasn’t been in a position to acquire the title despite three cracks at itagainst Jones and one against Daniel Cormier. Smith (31-14) is 7-4 overall from the UFC but is 3-1 since moving up to light heavyweight, with wins over Mauricio”Shogun” Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir winning him a shot Jones. He revealed against Jones that he’s simply not on the champ’s degree, but he remains a very good contender at 205lbs.
As for the opening betting line for this fight, I feel the oddsmakers will place Gustafsson as the favorite here, although I doubt he opens over 2-to-1. Smith has revealed since moving up to light heavyweight he has more knockout power and durability at his new weight class, and I would not completely count him from the struggle. Still, Gustafsson is the skilled fighter and will obviously be battling in his hometown that ought to provide him a boost. Regardless of who wins, this should be a rather exciting matchup between two of the greatest dogs at the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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