Daniel Cormier says Alexander Gustafsson ‘made the sport better’
Alexander Gustafsson has been one of the best light heavyweights over the past few years. The Swede has gotten three title fights but fell short in all of them. Although he had a super close fight to Jon Jones, then a split-decision to Daniel Cormier. He was so close to finally capturing that elusive UFC gold.
However, after losing to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm, Gustafsson announced his retirement from MMA.
“Now because… it feels like I don’t have in me anymore, to be honest,” Gustafsson said on the ESPN+ post-fight show. “It feels like I do mistakes I shouldn’t do. I just feel like, I just have the feeling like it is the time now. I don’t want to be a journeyman, I don’t want to do this because I am getting paid. I just want to do this because I love it and I want to be at the top.”
Following the announcement, the likes of Anthony Smith and Jon Jones commented on it and his career. And now, former light heavyweight champion and heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier also gave his thoughts on the Swede’s retirement.
Alex, you will forever be one of the biggest players in my journey. We’ve agreed, we have argued and bickered, but ultimately you made me better. You made the sport better. You are a warrior and will be truly missed! @AlexTheMauler #ufc192 #mauler #sweden 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/jrMIWcbZT2
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 3, 2019
“Alex, you will forever be one of the biggest players in my journey. We’ve agreed, we have argued and bickered, but ultimately you made me better. You made the sport better. You are a warrior and will be truly missed! @AlexTheMauler #ufc192 #mauler #sweden,” Cormier wrote on Twitter.
Gustafsson and Cormier as mentioned, shared the cage at UFC 192 where it was one of the toughest fights of Cormier’s career. There, the Swede took the champ to the scorecards where many thought Gustafsson had won. However, the light heavyweight champion won by split-decision and retained his title.
Ultimately, Gustafsson was one of the best to ever do it and will go down in history as that.
