Alexander Gustafsson on Improving

In Fight Magazine, Alexander Gustafsson was asked what changes he has noticed about himself on the journey from becoming a contender to the number one contender for the UFC light-heavyweight title. He answered with the following:

I've learned that I need to work harder every day and never be satisfied. You can't be too comfortable. I have to keep pushing myself to be a better fighter every step of the way.

Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre hug it out at UFC press conference

Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre hug it out at 31:40 into this video. This was at the UFC World Tour New York City Press Conference

Quotes from the above fighters linked below:

Alexander Gustafsson
Jon Jones
Johny Hendricks
Georges St-Pierre
Cain Velasquez
Junior Dos Santos
Ronda Rousey
Miesha Tate

 

 

 

 

Focusing on breathing and the present moment

In the book Winning Habits: Techniques for Excellence in Sports by B. P. Bam, the author notes that focusing on your breathing (in and out breaths) can be a very effective tool in being focused on the present moment. That focus allows one to not fear what is happening in the future, or regret what has happened moments ago:

Swedish UFC superstar Alexander Gustafsson also in an interview with Karate by Jessie that breathing can be a vital in the elevation process to success:

My best advice for mental training is simply to create good habits, in order to build a sense of security and calm around you. Also, you could try to distance yourself emotionally from the whole situation. In my case, I just look at it objectively: We are two guys going inside a cage to work. That’s it. Try to de-escalate the pressure. Take a couple of deep breaths. Don’t hype things up. And stay positive, even if you’re fighting for your life.

UFC 165: Alexander Gustafsson on fighting Jon Jones

For Alexander Gustafsson it's an important tool to humanize your opponent, even if he is a great fighter such as Jon Jones. I don't think fighters enjoy looking at other peoples' faults and trying to pick apart their weaknesses, but it's something that can be pivotal in achieving success. If a fighter is idolizing his opponent and watching their highlight reels that increases the propensity for him to end up being edited into that highlight package. But if a fighter focusses on his opponent's weaknesses and tries to direct his or her mental energy on what needs to be done to achieve victory, that is a more fruitful train of thought which leads to success. It's something that Jon Jones did in the past to defeat tough opponents such as Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Lyoto Machida, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Rashad Evans. Now Jones is on that lofty pedestal of being the top pound for pound fighter in the sport and it's Alexander Gustafsson who is dissecting Bones' weaknesses and magnifying them to the highest degree. While oddsmakers aren't showing the love to Gustafsson, by putting the Swedish slugger at a 8 to 1 underdog position, he is looking to prove all the MMA pundits and gaming speculators wrong.

Chris Weidman's Ultimate Goal in MMA

Once you reach the pinnacle of the sport of mixed martial arts and become a UFC champion, you have to continue to set new goals to stay hungry and motivated. That is what Chris Weidman is doing. It's something that Jon Jones has done in trying to become the record holder for having the most title defenses in UFC history at light-heavyweight. He has tied Tito Ortiz's record with five, and is looking to eclipse it at UFC 165 in Toronto when he defends his title against Swedish superstar Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafssson.

Additionally, you have Benson Henderson, the champion at 155, who has made it a goal to defend his title 11 times, which is one more time than Anderson Silva defended his. Keeping that goal in mind helps him stay motivated and excited for that new challenge.

Next European UFC champion

Dutch fighting legend Bas Rutten made history in May 1999 when he defeated Kevin Randleman at UFC 20 to become the first European champion in the UFC. Who is the next champion of European descent? Here are three fighters with the best shot:

1. Alexander Gustafsson

This Swedish light-heavyweight force of nature has the best shot right now because he's the only European to be fighting for a title right now. Alexander Gustafssson takes on Jon Jones at UFC 165 in Toronto and his striking will be his best asset in this fight.

2. Michael Bisping

England's Michael Bisping has always been hovering around the top of the middleweight class and has been a win away from a title shot on multiple occasions. If Chris Weidman can retain his UFC middleweight title in a rematch with Anderson Silva, it opens up the weight class for unique scenarios, and one of them would be a fight between Weidman and Bisping. Weidman has great wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, and his striking has come a long way too. Bisping however has good takedown defense, and amazing skills getting back to his feet. The English fighter's striking is very strong and his cardio is so good that he gets better as the fight goes on, because his opponents usually fade. Would be an interesting fight with Chris Weidman.

3. Conor McGregor

Ireland's Conor McGregor has made a huge name for himself at featherweight, and is looking to take the 145 pound division in the UFC by storm. The affable Irish fighter has a strong belief in himself, is obsessed with mixed martial arts and improving, has a very calm mindset in the cage, has exceptional talent and work ethic. The Irish fighter is destined for big things in the UFC.

UFC 165: Jon Jones on setting the record for most title defenses vs Alexander Gustafsson

A victory over Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 in Toronto will give Jon Jones six title defenses at light-heavyweight, and making him the record holder for most wins at 205, surpassing Tito Ortiz. For Jones it's a big motivator, and these types of goals is what keeps him focused, hungry, and motivated:

It's extremely important to set this record. Keeping goals in mind is what drives me...It's what motivates me to keep striving for higher and bigger and better things

UFC 165 (Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson) press conference pictures

 

 

Click for more quotes by Alexander Gustafsson
Click for more quotes by Jon Jones

UFC 165: Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson staredown

Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson square off for the cameras at the UFC 165 press conference at the Real Sports Bar in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:





Click for more quotes by Alexander Gustafsson
Click for more quotes by Jon Jones

UFC® LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION JON JONES FACES ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON AT UFC® 165

UFC^® LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION JON JONES FACES ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON AT UFC^® 165

IN TORONTO ON SEPTEMBER 21

 

INTERIM BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE ALSO ON THE LINE AS

RENAN BARAO DEFENDS BELT AGAINST EDDIE WINELAND

 

UFC^® 165: JONES vs. GUSTAFSSON

Air Canada Centre^®

On sale Thursday, July 11

 

*Press Conference on Tuesday, July 9 in Toronto*

 

Toronto, Canada – UFC^® light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones returns to Air Canada Centre^® in Toronto on Saturday, September 21 to defend his title against Swedish contender Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson. The Ultimate Fighting Championship^® announced today that tickets for this five-round championship bout will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, July 11 at 10 a.m. EST.

 

At just 25 years old, Jones is one the most dominant fighters in UFC light heavyweight history. His 12 wins are 2^nd most in the division’s history while his five consecutive title defenses tie him with UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz’s light heavyweight record.

 

Gustafsson, 26, enters the bout with a near spotless record, having won six straight while holding a 15-1 all-time record (7-1 in the UFC). Injury forced him off an April card in his native Sweden however his previous bout saw him earn a unanimous decision over former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua in December 2012.

 

“Jon Jones is re-writing the record book for the light heavyweight division,” UFC President Dana White said. “He is one of the pound-for-pound best in the world with a record-tying five straight title defenses by age 25. This bout with Gustafsson is an awesome fight. Alex is a big man plus he’s mean and hungry – and excited for the opportunity to fight Jones.”

 

Jones and Gustafsson will join Tom Wright, UFC Director of Canadian Operations, at a public press conference at Real Sports Bar & Grill^® (15 York St., Toronto) on Tuesday, July 9 at 12p.m. EST.

 

In addition to the Jones-Gustafsson showdown, Toronto will also see another UFC belt on the line as interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao (32-1, 1NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will look for his second straight title defense against No.4 ranked contender Eddie Wineland (20-8-1, fighting out of Chesterton, Indiana). The pair were to meet at UFC 161 in June but injury forced Barao off the card as he now brings his impressive unbeaten streak (30 victories, 1 no-contest) against the former WEC bantamweight champion.

 

Other bouts for UFC 165 include two heavyweights making their Octagon^® debut and four Canadians in action:

·       Heavyweights Daniel Omielanczuk (15-3-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) vs. Nandor Guelmino (11-4-1, fighting out of Vienna, Austria)

·       Welterweights Stephen Thompson (7-1, fighting out of Simpsonville, South Carolina) vs. London, Ontario’s Chris Clements (11-4-0, 1 NC)

·       Brazilian lightweight Michel Prazeres (16-1) vs. Woodbridge, Ontario’s Mark Bocek (11-5)

·       Lightweight Myles Jury(12-0, fighting out of San Diego, California) vs. Montreal’s Mike Ricci (9-3)

·       Japan’s Norifumi Yamamoto (18-6, 1 NC) vs. Montreal’s Ivan Menjivar (25-10) in a bantamweight contest

 

Tickets for UFC^® 165: JONES vs. GUSTAFSSON go on sale Thursday, July 11 at 10 a.m. EST and are priced at $450, $300, $200, $150, $95 and $75. Tickets will be available at the Air Canada Centre^® box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-5000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.