Dana White confirms former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson plotting UFC return

Alexander Gustafsson has admitted to having second thoughts about his retirement from MMA earlier this year. Now it’s confirmed it won’t stick.

Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) announced he was hanging up his gloves following a submission loss to Anthony Smith at UFC on ESPN+ 11 in June. The disappointing result took place in Stockholm, and the Swede decided to declare his final fight just happened in front of his hometown fans.

Since then, however, Gustafsson has expressed a desire to return to the octagon. He’s scheduled for a submission grappling match in December, and that will seemingly serve as a table setter for his return.

UFC president Dana White recently revealed he’s communicated directly with “The Mauler,” and while no date or opponent is set, Gustafsson will indeed have another UFC fight.

“We definitely talked to him, and he definitely wants to fight again,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 244 post-fight news conference this past weekend. “No (timeline for when).”

Gustafsson, 32, is just 2-4 in his past six fights. He’s fought for the UFC light heavyweight title three separate times over the past six years, but has fallen short twice to Jon Jones and once to Daniel Cormier, respectively.

The last time Gustafsson picked up a win was at UFC Fight Night 109 in May 2017 when he scored a brilliant knockout of Glover Teixeira.