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[Cat--Smasher]

UFC's Alexander Gustafsson targeting summer return, predicts Jones over Henderson

Gustafsson, who today shot down unsubstantiated reports of a broken hand, recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (MMAjunkie.com Radio | MMAjunkie.com) he's targeting a summer return to the cage.

If it just so happens to coincide with UFC 151's championship headliner between light-heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones and Dan Henderson, all the better.

After all, Gustafsson has won five straight fights, including his UFC on FUEL TV 2 headliner with Thiago Silva back in April. Few top-level light heavyweights remain, and he recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio the UFC has given him few hints.

"No idea yet actually," he said when asked what's next. "I hope I can fight the end of the summer or somewhere around there."

With another victory, Gustafsson (14-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) could be in line to fight the winner of the Sept. 1 Jones (16-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) vs. Henderson (29-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) title fight. Then again, as Frank Mir did in his recent UFC 146 headliner with heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, Gustafsson could step in line for either Jones or Henderson should one become injured or unable to fight.

Mir got the unexpected title fight when Alistair Overeem failed a pre-fight drug test. Would such a replacement scenario appeal to the 25-year-old Swede?

"Yeah, absolutely," he said. "I wouldn't say no to that. That's what I train for: a shot at the title. That's why I do this. I want to win a belt.

"(But I have) no idea what the UFC will do. I take it one fight at a time, and I don't what the UFC has planned for me. I don't know what the plans look like. Hopefully I'll fight somewhere around that time, though."

"I think Jones will win that fight," he said. "I think it'll be a decision."

UFC's Alexander Gustafsson targeting summer return, predicts Jones over Henderson | MMAjunkie.com

[lwbrewer]

I don't think Hendo will make it to a dec. Earning title fights don't always work out, but being ready for others injuries and failed drug test can work out for sure.

[CtGreat]

It Jones gets Hendo to the ground, its night night for Hendo. Plain and simple.