ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON VS. ANTHONY SMITH HEADLINES UFC FIGHT NIGHT 152

Two of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the world are set to square off at the spring, and here are my initial thoughts on this critical matchup in 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both men coming from losses to Jon Jones in their last respective outings, the UFC matchmakers have gone ahead and matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith to the primary event of UFC Fight Night 152. The card occurs June 1 in Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, also this five-round headlining bout was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
At first glance, this is a struggle which makes sense with both men needing to rally following their losses to Jones. Gustafsson endured a TKO defeat to Jones at the primary event of UFC 232, while Smith dropped a lopsided decision to Jones in UFC 235. With the UFC having a principal event for its return to Sweden, it naturally made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, also for Smith it’s a chance to get another main event fight after years of being a journeyman in the game.
At the same time, nevertheless, it’s very surprising to see Smith get back in the cage soon and sign up a bout agreement not two weeks after getting beat up real good by Jones in UFC 235. Smith did not mount much crime in that fight and bore the brunt of 25 minutes of Jones’ strikes, and later said he wanted to take time away to rest and relax after a hectic schedule in 2018 and 2019. Clearly, though, the allure of becoming another main event slot against a top competition like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to maneuver on.
Gustafsson (18-5) is 10-5 overall in the UFC and before the reduction to Jones had won back conflicts over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Always a lady, Gustafsson has been one of the top contenders in 205lbs for much of this 2010s but has never been able to acquire the title despite three cracks in itagainst Jones and one against Daniel Cormier. Smith (31-14) is 7-4 overall in the UFC but is 3-1 since moving up to light heavyweight, with wins over Mauricio”Shogun” Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir winning him a shot Jones. He revealed against Jones that he’s just not about the champ’s level, but he remains a very good contender at 205lbs.
As for the opening betting line for this fight, I believe the oddsmakers will set Gustafsson as the favored here, although I doubt he unlocks over 2-to-1. Smith has shown since moving up to light heavyweight that he has more knockout power and endurance in his new weight class, and I would not totally count him from this fight. Still, Gustafsson is the more skilled fighter and will obviously be battling in his hometown which should provide him an increase. Regardless of who wins, this ought to be a very exciting matchup between two of the greatest dogs at the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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