Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson is one of the UFC’s top light heavyweights, a former title challenger, and one of the division’s fiercest fighters.

Gustafsson made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2007 fighting for the Shoot organization. In the next eighteen months he would fight a total of eight times and finished seven of those fights by submission, technical knockout, or knockout. The impressive streak caught the eye of the UFC and earned him a debut. Gustafsson debuted in the Octagon at UFC 105 and defeated Jared Hamman by technical knockout.

Gustafsson would lose his next UFC fight to standout wrestler Phil Davis by submission choke, but then put together a six fight win streak in the Octagon and earning a shot at the light heavyweight title. He fought champion Jon Jones at UFC 165, but lost by unanimous decision. Many fans had thought he had actually done enough to take the title and showed that he belonged near the top of the division.

Coming off the title loss, Gustafsson was put into the main event at UFC Fight Night 37 which took place in his home country of Sweden. Gustafsson TKO’d Jimi Manuwa in the second round.

With another shot at the title of the line, Alexander Gustafsson fought top contender Anthony Johnson and suffered the worst loss of his career, a first round knockout. However, when Johnson was unable to fight for the title, Gustafsson got the call. Again he would fall short of winning UFC gold, dropping a split decision to champion Daniel Cormier.

More About Alexander Gustaffson

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started to train MMA in 2006 and before that I trained in boxing. It feels so real when you’re standing in the cage next to your opponent. I just like it a lot.

What ranks and titles have you held? No titles.

Do you have any heroes? My idol is Fedor Emelianenko.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me; it is my goal to be a part of the show.

source: ufc.com