Swedish MMA Federation: Alexander Gustafsson not cleared for UFC on FUEL TV 9

The Swedish MMA Federation today announced that Alexander Gustafsson has not been cleared to fight at Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 event due to his facial cut.

He’ll no longer headline the FUEL TV-televised event, where he was scheduled to fight fellow light heavyweight and promotional newcomer Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC).

The cut, which Gustafsson (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) suffered near his eyebrow during a recent training session, was deemed too substantial, and the SMMAF, which is Sweden’s local regulatory body, won’t allow clear him to fight. An initial examination took place on Saturday, and today’s exam sealed the deal.

“The SMMAF Medical Committee has today reviewed the circumstances regarding Gustafsson and his injury,” a statement read. “The SMMAF Medical Committee recognizes that a competitor cannot be medically cleared earlier than the day before the match.

“However, bearing in mind that a correct medical examination that met the regulatory demands has been performed, nothing in the SMMAF regulations hinders the SMMAF Medical Committee from making a decision to stop Gustafsson from competing. As it is clear that Alexander Gustafsson will not be fit to compete as planned and cannot be medically cleared on Friday the 5th of April, the SMMAF Medical Committee has today decided that Alexander Gustafsson will not be allowed to participate in the planned match.”

UFC officials haven’t made a formal announcement. It’s unknown if Mousasi will get a late-replacement or opponent if the card will be shuffled, though an update is expected shortly.

Gustafsson was scheduled to headline a UFC card in his home country for the second time in a year. Saturday’s event takes place at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm.

For more on UFC on FUEL TV 9, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Alexander Gustafsson)