Gustafsson promises 'early' UFC Fight Night 37 finish, but not thinking ahead to Jones

(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

Swedish light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson admits he still thinks back to that September night when he nearly toppled the world’s current top pound-for-pound fighter, Jon Jones, to claim the UFC’s light-heavyweight title.

How could he not? After all, while he entered the fight with Jones on the wrong end of a perceived mismatch, Gustafsson shocked the world with his courageous effort and suffered a narrow decision loss. On Saturday, Gustafsson (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) returns to action in the main event of UFC Fight Night 37, where he meets undefeated British striker Jimi Manuwa (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at London’s O2 Arena. The card streams on the new digital network UFC Fight Pass (12:30 p.m. ET).

But forgetting about Jones, at least for one night, will be very important for Gustafsson.

“It was tough in the beginning to stop thinking about the fight with Jon, but when I knew I was fighting Jimi, I realized I needed to take him very serious,” Gustafsson said. “I stopped thinking about the title and started thinking about my immediate future and my next challenge.”

It’s a wise decision for the Swede, as Manuwa has proven a dangerous striker, with 13 of his 14 career wins coming by knockout, including nine first-round stoppages. Gustafsson, 27, said he’s familiar with Manuwa’s strengths after watching “Poster Boy” rise up the ranks of the European scene the past few years.

“He’s very dangerous, and I think people are underestimating him a little bit,” Gustafsson said. “I don’t. I know exactly how dangerous this guy is. He’s just sneaking around under the radar and waiting to strike. He’s a very good, dangerous fighter. I am ready. I’ve done my homework, and I have to be 100 percent in the fight.

“He’s going to throw some bombs. We all know that. He’s a very heavy hitter with his punches, his kicks and his knees. He’s very good with his striking. But wherever the fights ends up, I’m going to have an answer.”

With a win, Gustafsson could start thinking about Jones again, and what might have been different had a Jones fourth-round elbow not completely changed the momentum of that title fight. UFC President Dana White has promised Gustafsson another shot at the belt with a win on Saturday. He’d simply need to wait for Jones’ April 26 fight with Glover Teixeira, which Gustafsson admittedly would prefer the champion win.

“I want the belt, and that’s my only focus,” Gustafsson said. “But to take the belt from Jones would be the absolute best scenario.”

That process starts Saturday, in what could easily prove to be a trap fight for the slugger. thinking too far ahead and losing focus on the task at hand. The Swede insists that won’t happen.

“This will be an early finish,” Gustafsson said, “with me as a winner on Saturday night.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 37, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.