UFC on FUEL TV 9: April 6, 2013 Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Alexander Gustafsson (-260) Profile: Alexander Gustafsson (15-1) has made his mark on the UFC light heavyweight division in the last few years. The 26-year-old Swede’s single loss comes to another light heavyweight youngster who is also working his way to the top of the rankings in Phil Davis back in April of 2010. Since then, Gustafsson has used his size and superlative MMA boxing to amass another six-fight winning streak, with four of those wins ending via submission or strikes. In his past two bouts, Gustafsson looked somewhat hesitant against Thiago Silva yet still scored a unanimous decision win, and then he came out much more aggressive vs. Shogun Rua in earning another UD victory for the biggest W of his young career. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Gegard Mousasi (+180) Profile: One of MMA’s best-kept secrets, Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2) is a well-known name for fans of the Japanese fight scene. Mousasi has been in the backstage locker room of just about every MMA organization outside of the UFC or Bellator, including Pride, Dream, M-1and Bodog just to name a few, and he has dominated in most promotions. From 2006 to 2009, Mousasi amassed a 14-fight winning streak, beginning with a win over Hector Lombard in Pride and ending when King Mo took his Strikeforce light heavyweight title from him at the end of a five-round decision. Technically, he’s still the Dream light heavyweight champion and owns wins over Mark Hunt, Jacare Souza, Babalu, Ovince St Preux, and most recently Mike Kyle in the final Strikeforce event. His only other blemish from recent battle comes from a draw with Keith Jardine two years ago, which many viewed as a poor decision. Opening UFC on FUEL TV 9 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Gustafsson a solid -260 favorite (bet $260 to win $100) while Mousasi opened as a +180 underdog (bet $100 to win $180) at Several Bookmakers. The line has come down on Gustafsson to as low as -225 since it was revealed on Sunday that he suffered a cut above his eye during training that will reportedly take weeks to heal. There are severe doubts that this fight will go on as scheduled, as even if the cut miraculously heals in time for weigh-ins on Friday, he may still not be cleared due to the heavy scar tissue near his eye. UFC president Dana White has come out and said he has no plans to cancel the bout, although it might not be his decision. Whatever happens, the injury has definitely put a damper on what looked to be an exciting matchup between two of Europe’s top light heavyweight contenders. It would not be wise for Gustafsson to risk losing this fight with so much on the line as arguably the top title contender after Lyoto Machida. Meanwhile, Mousasi has been waiting for an opportunity like this in the UFC for years and was viewed by some as one of the top MMA underdogs worth betting in April. If the bout does go on, it would be very hard for bettors to back Gustafsson, making a wager on Mousasi possibly even more valuable.
UFC Cuts Continue: Examining The Trend
