Den svenske UFC-stjärnan Alexander Gustafsson förlorade igår kväll huvudmatchen vid UFC Sverige mot Anthony Smith. Efter matchen lämnade svensken kvar sina handskar på mattan och efteråt bekräftade han att han nu sluta som professionell MMA-fighter.
Förlusten via submission (rear-naked-choke) blev hans sjätte i karriären och han slutar nu med ett facit på 18-6. Efter att Gustafsson tillkännagav beslutet var det flera stora namn i MMA-världen som valde att hylla svensken, även hans gamle rival Jon Jones som dock inte kunde tro på att svensken kommer stå fast vid sitt beslut.
Honestly I don’t believe you but if you’re serious, thank you for everything. You held the division to a standard and made us better. Go kick ass with that Family.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2019
Segraren Smith valde även att kommentera Gustafssons beslut efter matchen:
I just hope that he doesn’t look at a loss to me as something super negative, because I think people are having a hard time getting used to me being at the top. And I don’t think me beating him is a reflection of him falling off the wagon or losing his edge, or not being good any more. I’m just not going to be turned away. I hope that he can look at it like that.
It sounds silly, but it’s not you, it’s me.
Nedan kan ni se några av de andra reaktionerna och hyllningarna:
Wow….. @AlexTheMauler just left his gloves in the octagon for the last time. Always been a fan a man. Respect! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 1, 2019
Thank you for all the memories @AlexTheMauler! What an amazing career 👏🏼 #Legend https://t.co/BIwZEIsFIo
— BJ Penn (@bjpenndotcom) June 1, 2019
Gus is one of the greatest to ever fight at 205. He is fighting at a time when 2 of the 🐐’s of all time happen to fight at 205.
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) June 1, 2019
Congrats on a magnificent career @AlexTheMauler Incredible fighter and a true gentleman.
— michael (@bisping) June 1, 2019
Nedan kan ni se en reaktionerna på Alex förlust och Smiths seger:
Wow a little mistake by Gus cost him
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 1, 2019
People better start showing this man his respect. Congrats @lionheartasmith 👏🏽👏🏽 #UFCStockholm
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) June 1, 2019
Well calculated @lionheartasmith
Amazing job!— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) June 1, 2019