The UFC took a break over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the United States, but it’s back this Saturday with a card from Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith. Because of the time difference, the main card starts at 1pm ET so the main event should begin around 3pm ET.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
Whenever the UFC heads outside the United States, it tries to populate the card with as many fighters as possible from that country. Sweden isn’t exactly an MMA hotbed, with Gustafsson (18-5) likely the best-known fighter from there. The light heavyweight champion is arguably the baddest man on the planet after Jon Jones. Gustafsson is ranked second in the division and is a -305 favorite Saturday. He hasn’t fought in his native country in two years.
“The Mauler” was last in the Octagon in a title fight against Jones at UFC 232 in December and lost by third-round TKO (punches) as a +125 underdog. That was Jones’ return from a 15-month suspension for yet another positive drug test. It was Gustafsson’s third loss in a light heavyweight title fight. He was beaten by current heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound king Daniel Cormier via split decision at UFC 192 and by Jones via unanimous decision at UFC 165. When Gustafsson wins, it’s usually (61 percent) by KO or TKO.