UFC on ESPN+ 29 free fight: Anthony Smith chokes out Alexander Gustafsson in enemy territory

After failing to capture the UFC light heavyweight title, Anthony Smith bounced back into the win column in a big way.

Smith (33-14 MMA, 8-4 UFC) faced three-time title challenger Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on ESPN+ 11 in Stockholm looking to get back to winning ways in enemy territory.

Smith pressed forward from the very start, as Gustafsson came out typically light on his feet, circling around the octagon. The big Swede tried to hinder Smith’s movement by stabbing at his legs with low kicks, but Smith continued to command the center of the octagon and threatened with big overhand shots.

In Round 2, Smith started to find a home for some of his strikes and backed Gustafsson against the cage with a flurry of punches. “Lionheart’s” high-output, high-aggression approach saw him take the initiative. That aggression was matched by Gustafsson in Round 3 as the two traded heavy shots in the pocket for much of the round.

Round 4, saw Gustafsson switch his attack as he looked to clinch with Smith, but “Lionheart” proved the stronger man at close quarters and dragged the Swede to the mat. Smith then took Gustafsson’s back, flattened him out and sunk in a rear-naked choke for the win.

Smith returns to action for the first time since last June when he headlines UFC on ESPN+ 29 vs. Glover Teixeira this Wednesday night. The event takes place Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card streams on ESPN+.

Before he faces Teixeira, relive Smith’s stoppage win over Gustafsson in the video above.