Gustafsson nearly quit after Anthony Johnson loss
Alexander Gustafsson: “I was supposed to win this fight, but I didn’t. I was thinking about that, to quit the sport. I was really depressed after the fight.”
UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson won six in a row, and gave Jon Jones the fight of his life. He then came back from the loss with a Fight of the Night performance over Jimi Manuwa. Gustafsson’s next fight was in January, against Anthony Johnson, and he had to win to get another shot, and lost. The loss was so big, he wanted to quit.
It was really bad, said Gustafsson to Chamatkar Sandhu and Abbey Subhan for MMAjunkie. I lost fights before, but this fight was the fight I couldn’t lose.
I was supposed to win this fight, but I didn’t. I was thinking about that, to quit the sport. I was really depressed after the fight.
It was a really bad blow for me – for my career and my personal life. It was a tough hit to take. The fight I couldn’t lose, I actually lost.
My motivation was gone, basically, so that was the toughest part, to keep on training with no motivation. I just wanted to escape from everything, escape from Stockholm, from the media, from everything. I didn’t want to see the gym. It was tough.
Gustafsson said there is truth in misery however.
You know who the real people are when it’s going really bad, he said. When it’s going downhill, then you know how it really is for you.
It was pretty bad, but now I’m here. I’ve got my family. I’ve got my friends, my teammates. I’ve got real support, and now I’m back and feeling great – better than ever, actually.
My motivation is on top. I feel great. I feel great to be back in training, and everything is so much fun.
I’m just a happy guy right now. Everything is fun. Training is fun. Doing everything that comes with MMA is fun right now. So I’m just enjoying my time.
Gustafsson’s next fight is against UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, although a date has yet to be announced.
I just see this as a second chance, as an opportunity for me, said Gustafsson. I won’t even go into why it happened or why I should fight him. I’m just enjoying my time.
I just know that I got a second chance, and I will do the best that I can and show everybody that I can be the best guy in the world.