Alexander Gustafsson hints at comeback

Retired light heavyweight stalwart Alexander Gustafsson seems inclined toward picking up his gloves once more. The Swedish fighter announced his retirement after losing to Anthony Smith at UFC on ESPN+ 11 last June, but some reports emerged in late 2019 that he is considering a comeback.

“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,” said Gustafsson, adding that he had been looking to train in the US “before this coronavirus (expletive) happened.” When Gustafsson was active, he would spend his camps at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California.

However, Gustafsson, like many others, is in lockdown in his native Sweden as the efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Gustafsson feels that he can still compete in the UFC light heavyweight division, but he has not committed to coming back just yet; merely that he wants to get back in the habit of hard training. “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,” said the former contender.

“It’s a mental thing,” Gustafsson said. “That’s why we’re looking – not even for a fight camp – just go out there to America and train.”