By Jorge Hernandez.
When mainstream mixed martial arts touched down in Stockholm, Sweden for the second time for UFC on Fuel TV 9 earlier this month, the marquee fight between Alexander Gustafsson and Gegard Mousasi was advertised as a match with title implications on the line, for “The Mauler”.
But unfortunately, Gustafsson was cut in the final days of training and the Swedish Athletic Commission wouldn’t allow him to perform.
Gustafsson said once his eye heals, he either wants a title-shot at 205 — or Lyoto Machida — who just defeated Dan Henderson at UFC 157 to determine the number one contender for “Bones” Jones’ belt.
This is where things get mixed up.
Now Lyoto Machida’s manager claims the fight has already been scheduled, and that it is impossible for Chael Sonnen to win at UFC 159 later this month.
“Lyoto is on stand-by list waiting for the winner of Jon Jones vs Chael Sonnen. I think it is almost impossible for Chael to win this bout but anything may happen. A fight is a fight but it has already been scheduled.”
Sounds like a sure thing, according to “The Dragon’s” manager. He also has more to say about the mindset of his fighter:
“Lyoto is the number one contender and he is only waiting to see who is going to be the winner of this fight. He is not convinced about Jones. He is not convinced from that loss.”
So why doesn’t a possible match between Gustafsson vs. Machida make sense to the “The Dragon’s” camp? Machida’s manager with more on why a possible fight between Lyoto and Gustafsson to determine who’s number one contender is not going to happen.
“The fight between Jones and Sonnen is going to happen now, it doesn’t make sense to fight Alexander. We’re almost there. If it were a little before, this fight could have already happened, but he just fought. Dana White has made it clear that Lyoto is the number one. We’ll be waiting.”
There is only one way to solve this problem.
Much like the bracket at 145 lbs, “The Bully” Ricardo lamas and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung both want a crack at the champion Jose Aldo, both deserve it — so they will fight for a shot at UFC 162 this July at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That’s the only ideal solution we have here.
Unless it’s a fact that the masses already count out the rabid wrestling game of Chael Sonnen and Lyoto is on deck to rematch Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight strap?
We will just have to wait to see what gets put together.
