Alexander Gustafsson On Jon Jones’ Injury: I Want The Fight As The Number One Contender

In an odd bit of parallel fates, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was forced out of his highly anticipated title fight against Daniel Cormier at September’s UFC 178 from Las Vegas.

The fight was rescheduled for January 3, 2015, and “Bones” cited a torn meniscus in his knee and an ankle injury suffered in wrestling practice just one week after he and Cormier took the world by storm with their UFC 178 Media Day brawl last week.

Interestingly enough, No. 1 contender Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson pulled out of UFC 178’s main event after requiring surgery for the same injury as that of Jones, a torn meniscus.

While initial scheduling has Cormier retaining his title shot (no surprise there), “The Mauler” took to Facebook to call out for the rematch he earned by taking Jones to the absolute limit at UFC 165 last September:

“I just heard the news that Jones is injured and the fight is rescheduled to January 3????
Until then, I will be more than ready, it was MY fight to begin with and I WANT the fight as the number 1 contender. End of story!!”

Gustafsson continues his recent trend of brash trash talk, and even Jones recently said he has unfinished business with the Swedish superstar.

Never one to stand by idly, Cormier hopped on Twitter to wish Jones a speedy recovery in anticipation of their January match:

Heal up @jonnybones see u in January! DC

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 13, 2014

It’s clear that Gustafsson has earned his rematch, yet he may be left out in the cold for the time being. With the UFC light heavyweight title scene full of heavy drama but not much actual fighting, when will Gustafsson have his next shot at gold?

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski for USA Today Sports