Smith submits Gustafsson in fourth to win UFC in Sweden main event

The main event of UFC on ESPN+11 featured a lightheavyweight bout between two former title contenders in Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith.

Anthony Smith beat the odds again and in doing so, may have put an end to the career of one of the light heavyweight division’s longtime standouts.

Heading into the home country of an opponent who has thrice competed for UFC gold, Smith proved that he is a legitimate force at 205 pounds with a fourth-round submission of Sweden’s own Alexander Gustafsson in the main event of UFC Stockholm at Ericsson Globe on Saturday.

The end came when Smith locked in a rear-naked choke that forced Gustafsson to tap out and while he was pleased with his performance, he took no great pleasure in dispatching a respected foe like Gustafsson.

I know that I was coming into enemy territory, but you guys all week long didn’t make me feel like an enemy, Smith said post-fight. I think you guys have seen that me and Alex respect each other, it’s kind of a crappy deal, one of us has to win and of course I want it to be me.

source: mmafighting.com

https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1134909704784830464

Official Result: Anthony Smith defeated Alexander Gustafsson by Submission (RNC, Round 4, 2:38)

Play-By-Play

Round 1 – Gustafsson moving laterally early as Smith closes. Knees extended from Gustafsson to keep Smith at distance. Big right winged by Smith, and Gustafsson resets and moves. Another big overhand right whizzes by Gustafsson’s head. Gustafsson working kicks now. Left hooks from Smith catch Gustafsson off guard. Another stutter step attack from Smith, who follows up with a kick as Gustafsson moves laterally. Gustafsson advances with left hands, but he’s short. Feints from both. Another clubbing right hand misses, and Gustafsson resets. They attack each others legs, and Gustafsson paws with a jab. Smith tries to counerpunch, and he lands a left hook. Gustafsson resumes his leg attacks. Smith replies in kind. Gustafsson lands a left and follows with a pair of kicks, and it appears his shin is cut badly. MMA Junkie scores the frame 10-9 for Smith.

Round 2 – Gustafsson attacks early with front kicks low and high, and Smith wings his right hand. Gustafsson back on his lateral movement. Smith waiting on the jab to counter with his right. He’s wide on an overhand, and Gustafsson resets. Smith backs off, and now, Gustafsson is starting to put together combos. Smith’s right hand is short. Gustafsson tags the body and goes back to the legs. Smith looses a high kick as Gustafsson moves to a corner, and it’s blocked. He punches the body and fires perhaps his first combo of the fight. Lots of single shots from both fighters. Gustafsson attacking the legs, and Smith grabs one before giving it up. Smith in on a combo, and Gustafsson avoids the worst of it before circling out. Nice left hook from Smith. Gustafsson goes low and high with his lead hand. Smith again with his overhand right. More leg kicks from Gustafsson as Smith advances. Lead body shot from Smith, and Gustafsson comes back with his own attempts that are a bit short. Nice one-two from Gustafsson, who appears to be finding his stride late in the round. Still a very tentative fight so far. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Smith, who’s up 20-18.

Round 3 – Gustafsson active with low kicks and he follows with a jab. Big rights from Smith as Gustafsson sits down on his punches. Gustafsson goes back to the legs and then follows with jabs. Different look here as Gustafsson appears to be in rhythm. Gustafsson tries a standing trip, and Smith pushes him back. Smith with a hard right, and Gustafsson circles off. Back to the legs for Gustafsson. Smith digs the body with a kick. Jabs and low kicks from Gustafsson. Smith replies in kind. Gustafsson short to the head on a combo, but body is good. Back to the legs. Nice jabs from Gustafsson, and Smith misses on an elbow over the top. Nice one-two from Gustafsson, who goes back to the legs. Nice body kick sets up takedown for Gustafsson, who lands in side control and holds on with short time. They pause with Smith trying to wrap the head. Gustafsson closes with a smattering of ground and pound, and he takes the frame 10-9, putting Smith up 29-28.

Round 4 – Gustafsson back to the legs early. Smith sits down on a right off a Gustafsson kick. Smith walking down Gustafsson, trying to replicate round one. Fake into a head kick, and Gustafsson comes back with a left hook. Low kicks from Gustafsson. Takedown attempt opens up clinch, and Smith gets to the back in the susbsequent scramble. Smith pounds with his right, but he’s too high on the back. Just a matter of time as Gustafsson hangs in with his legs up. Finally, Gustafsson is forced to return to the ground, and Smith pounds away with elbows. Choke attempt in, and Gustafsson taps.

source: mmajunkie.com

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