Following His Win At Home, UFC on Fuel TV 2 Headliner Gustafsson Wants Top 5 Opponent

Cat--Smasher · 04-15-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

“It just motivated me more. I was super excited for this fight. I don’t feel any pressure. I just go out there and do what I love to do. The crowd was amazing. I couldn’t even hear my coaches in the corner. I’m proud fighting here at home and in the UFC. Silva is a tough guy, I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and I know he has some good power in his punches. I had my game plan to stay active, like I always do, and tried to pick him apart. I [executed] my game plan, but I’m a finisher. It was my first decision [in the UFC], so I’m still learning. I want to fight the top five guys in the world in my division, but if [the UFC] were to give me a title shot, I would be more than ready if that day comes.”

Following His Win At Home, UFC on Fuel TV 2 Headliner Gustafsson Wants Top 5 Opponent | MMA News

The_Icon · 04-15-2012, 10:50 AM

This kid has a lot of potential and his style is a lot like the current LHW champ. I'm not saying he is ready for a title shot yet, but it could definetly be in his future. I imagine his next fight will be lil Nog, but I'd love to see him fight somebody like Shogun, Machida or even the loser of Jones vs Evans (Evans)

The8thPlague · 04-15-2012, 10:54 AM

He looked damn good out there.
Very Anderson/Bones looking with his movement.

The Swedish crowd seemed to be one of the most respectful crowds I've ever heard.
I forgot what fight it was, but when the action was kind of boring they didn't boo. Instead they kinda started doing a soccer chant to motivate the fighters.

And after the main event when Kenny went to talk with Thiago they immediately cheered for him.

KevoOnTheRadio · 04-15-2012, 10:58 AM

Give him Bader

earle · 04-15-2012, 11:55 AM

Gustafsson vs. Machida.

macewen · 04-15-2012, 12:46 PM

He needs to be able to beat a wrestler to be among the elite. Bader is not top 5 but could be a hell of a test

singinkangaroooo · 04-15-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macewen

He needs to be able to beat a wrestler to be among the elite. Bader is not top 5 but could be a hell of a test

i agree.. i think we need to see some one test his grappling.. i think he should be saying he wants a top 5 but should be thinking the bottom 5 of the top 10.. Bader fits that bill perfectly

Fedorlei Gomipierre · 04-15-2012, 01:00 PM

He needs a slower build before a top 5-er. What's the rush?!

If I'm Zuffa, I give Gustafsson time to gain more experience before throwing him in the deep end and I fear people are being a tad shortsighted over the fact that for a 25 year old, he really still needs to develop his overall game to beyond where it was last night. There were several moments where Silva nearly took Gus's head off because he simply wasn't fighting smart and fell into traps that other fighters would definately capitalize on. I think if made for 5 months from now, Machida completely takes Gus to school, he really needs to shore up some aspects of his game(which he will with time).

There's also the issue of wanting to build Gus's name bigger than what it currently is, which means exposing him to more casual fans with impressive performances. Yesterday was a solid start, but he still needs more facetime to build him into a draw. If they cut him off at the knees with too big of a fight too soon, it deflates his confidence and value.

Bader is the money fight right now IMO, the perfect fighter at this juncture of Gus's run. However both Stephan Bonnar or Rich Franklin are two other ESTABLISHED names that would do wonders to build Gustafsson's name value for the casual fan to become more familiar with him.

Goldy's slew of hyperbole is unfortunately overrating a VERY GREAT fighter in Gus at the moment, and I'd hate for an Icarus situation here at such a young age, because what I saw yesterday had some areas in need of focus.