ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON VS. ANTHONY SMITH HEADLINES UFC FIGHT NIGHT 152

Two of the top-ranked light heavyweight contenders in the entire world are set to square off in the spring, and here are my first thoughts on this critical matchup in 205lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith, UFC Fight Night 152
With both guys coming from reductions to Jon Jones in their last respective outings, the UFC matchmakers have gone ahead and matched up Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith to the main event of UFC Fight Night 152. The card takes place June 1 at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, and this five-round headlining bout was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
At first glance, this is a struggle that makes sense with the two men needing to rally after their losses to Jones. Gustafsson suffered a TKO defeat to Jones at the primary event of UFC 232, while Smith lost a lopsided decision to Jones at UFC 235. With the UFC needing a principal event because of its return to Sweden, it naturally made sense for Gustafsson to headline the card, also for Smith it has a chance to get another major event fight after years of being a journeyman from the sport.
At precisely the same time, however, it is very surprising to see Smith get back into the cage so soon and sign up a bout agreement not even two weeks after having beat up real good by Jones at UFC 235. Smith did not mount much crime in that struggle and bore the brunt of 25 minutes of Jones’ strikes, and afterwards said he wished to take time away to rest and unwind after a busy schedule in 2018 and 2019. Certainly, though, the allure of getting another main event slot against a leading contender like Gustafsson was too much for Smith to pass on.
Gustafsson (18-5) is 10-5 overall in the UFC and prior to the reduction to Jones had won back-to-back conflicts over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Always a bridesmaid, Gustafsson has been among the best contenders at 205lbs for much of the 2010s but has never been able to win the title despite three cracks in itagainst Jones and one against Daniel Cormier. Smith (31-14) is 7-4 overall in the UFC but is 3-1 since moving up to light heavyweight, with wins over Mauricio”Shogun” Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir winning him a shot Jones. He showed against Jones that he is just not about the champ’s degree, but he still remains a very solid contender at 205lbs.
As for the opening betting line with this fight, I feel the oddsmakers will set Gustafsson as the favorite here, though I doubt he unlocks over 2-to-1. Smith has shown since moving up to light heavyweight he has more knockout power and endurance in his new weight class, and I wouldn’t totally count him out of the struggle. However, Gustafsson is the skilled fighter and will of course be fighting in his hometown which should give him an increase. Regardless of who wins, this should be a rather exciting matchup between two of the greatest dogs in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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