Alexander Gustafsson isn’t impressed with all of the media attention Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are receiving for their brief scrap in the MGM Grand lobby Monday.
For those living under a rock, UFC 178 media day ended with an intense staredown between Jones and Cormier before quickly escalating into thrown punches, a flying shoe and UFC Senior Director of Public Relations Dave Sholler getting tossed into the set piece.
Cormier shoved Jones after receiving an “intimate” head-butt during the stare down, and the light heavyweight champ quickly responded by pushing his way through Sholler and throwing several punches. All hell broke loose as the brawl spilled onto the lobby floor in a dog pile of UFC personnel and venue security attempting to break up the action.
The incident turned an already big fight into one of the most anticipated title bouts in UFC history. Gustafsson, on the other hand, believes the entire ordeal was “ridiculous” and “childish.”
“What can I say? I think it’s childish at this level,” Gustafsson told Swedish outlet TV SVT Sport, according to David St. Martin of MMAFighting.com. “We are all professional and must be shown by example and represent the sport as best we can. Just think it’s ridiculous.”
Gustafsson admitted Jones could be a bit “annoying” at times, but he never let the UFC champ’s antics get to him.
“Yes, if you are receptive to such so far,” Gustafsson said. “But he has never managed to come so just around me. I have never been affected by anything like that.”
Gustafsson, who was originally slated to fight Jones at UFC 178, underwent a procedure Tuesday to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee that forced him to pull out of the fight.
It isn’t easy sitting on the sideline, watching all of the hype surrounding Jones and Cormier for Gustafsson, who nearly dethroned Jones in an unforgettable light heavyweight clash a year ago.
For now, he is just trying not to worry about things that aren’t in his control. He plans to use this down time to focus on his health and getting stronger to challenge the winner of Jones vs. Cormier.
“I really want to have a title, have a chance again on the belt,” Gustafsson said. “That’s where my focus lies. It is my goal but right now my thoughts on becoming as strong as possible.”
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon.
