Alex Gustafsson told Telegraph Sport Wednesday he was “devastated” when he found out that medical staff in Sweden had ruled him out of his No. 1 contender fight against Gegard Mousasi on Saturday due to a cut eye.
Although the gash sustained in training last week does look very serious, the light heavyweight had the stitches out today, and the cut appears to have closed.
“I’m really disappointed. It has been a circus,” he said on Wednesday. “I was wrestling, it was not even hard, I slipped, I hit my head, and I hit the eye and I got this cut.
“Today they have taken out the stitches, but I am very disappointed. I was praying every day that they would let me fight. The whole team have been fighting to get me in there. I would have fought with a broken hand, for example. It’s been tough, but I have to accept it, and move on.”
Medical rulings in Sweden are extremely strict. When Tom Watson, the British MMA fighter, heard the decision and knew the stitches had come out, his belief is that “in other territories, he may have been able to fight.”
Gustafsson looked crestfallen, have gone through an entire camp and worked his way to within striking distance of the UFC 205-pound title held by Jon Jones.
The Arena here in Stockholm is also a sellout as the UFC returns here for a second time. Gustafsson headlined here and enjoyed a victory over Thiago Silva a year ago.
Gustafsson added: “I feel for Gegard Mousasi, the fans. I’m sorry to them all, I’ve worked my a– off, and this is a lesson. But this won’t stop me. I will look forward, look for a new fight.
“I have to respect the view of the medical advisers. I’m an athlete. I’m a sportsman it’s what I do for a living, if they say ‘no’, I have to accept it. It is not in my hands any more. It is what it is. I have to look forward,” he explained, having been prepared to go through to weigh-in day to have a final medical to be able to fight, if it had been possible.
The UFC have not yet discussed when he will fight again.
“Let’s see what happens. I’m always training, I’m always in shape,” he added.
Training camp teammate Ilir Latifi steps in to fight Gegard Mousasi in the main event.
“Ilir Latifi will give Gegard a good fight. The guy is a beast,” added Gustafsson.
