Cepeda: Gustafsson was not defeated
In an excellent piece for FOX Sports Elias Cepeda argues that Alexander Gustafsson once again lost the decision, yet he was not defeated.
The Bigfoot vs. Hunt draw felt like biblical justice. But every of other great fight the past few years ended up with a winner and a loser.
However, on Saturday night Alexander Gustafsson fought so hard, so long, and so well that you wish there was another word for it. In an excellent piece for FOX Sports Elias Cepeda argues that Gustafsson once again lost the decision, yet he was not defeated.
Alexander Gustafsson proved once again Saturday night in the UFC 192 main event that he is one of the very best and most well-rounded fighters in MMA history.
Unfortunately, for all that he is, he still doesn’t own a world championship.
It has to all be dishearteningly familiar for the challenger. In 2013 he went through something very similar when he lost a decision to then champion Jon Jones.
Gustafsson admitted to having considered retirement after the loss to Johnson. The title shot against Cormier motivated him to get back to work.
If Gustafsson once again considers retirement, hopefully it is because he’s got enough money to do so, or because he knows his body and brain can use the rest after a lifetime of hard training. It shouldn’t be out of darkness or disappointment.
Fighting Alexander Gustafsson tests the best in the world like they never were before, and makes them better men. Watching “The Mauler” fight makes us all better fans.
There may not be enough title belts or treasure to go around, but there were no losers in Saturday’s championship fight. Daniel Cormier has the strap after his own incredible effort, and he is indeed the division’s “legit” champion as the challenger said, afterwards.
However, belt or no belt, Gustafsson is no less a champion than he or anyone else we’ve ever seen.