Alexander Gustafsson: UFC did Jon Jones a favor
Alexander Gustafsson: “This is a favor to him. That you show that this is not acceptable, that you can’t continue doing this while you’re having the world title.”
Top UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson gave Jon Jones the toughest fight of career, and wanted a rematch with the title on the line. Now he says Jones stole that from him.
“I want to say that he is the best guy in the world, he is the champion and he is the best pound for pound, no doubt about that,” said Gustafsson on Facebook, as transcribed by Jeremy Brand for MMASucka. “It’s also very tragic because all of the fighters are working very hard to get to that position to face him for the title and to become the world champion.
“So, he hasn’t lost that title from competition; he lost it because he did stupid things. Even if I go up there and I compete and I win the world title, it’s not the same because you want to get that belt from the best guy in the world, so I think it’s very tragic.”
Gus also expressed the belief, as did Brian Stann, that the UFC’s suspension was a gift to the former champion.
“I think [the UFC] did the right thing. That was the only thing that they could have done, because so many things Jon Jones has been doing and he’s been getting away with stuff, so how far can he go? It doesn’t do him a favor doing that. This is a favor to him. That you show that this is not acceptable, that you can’t continue doing this while you’re having the world title. You have to represent the sport well, you have to be a role model for young kids. You’re the ambassador for the sport globally basically.”
