UFC contender Alexander Gustafsson wraps up knee surgery in Sweden

Light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson was forced to withdraw from the UFC 178 main event against Jon Jones due to a knee injury. Today, he went under the knife for corrective surgery.

Gustafsson had minor surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. That surgery happened Tuesday morning in his home country of Sweden, and apparently was a success, according to “The Mauler,” who posted on his Instagram account in the aftermath.

“Done, just woke up!” Gustafsson wrote. “Never been more motivated my friends!”

News broke in late July that Gustafsson would be unable to compete in his highly anticipated rematch with Jones at the Sept. 27 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. Daniel Cormier stepped in as a replacement and is now scheduled to challenge Jones for the 205-pound title at the event.

Gustafsson pushed Jones to the limit in their first matchup at UFC 165, losing a unanimous decision to “Bones” after five highly competitive rounds in what was one of 2013’s most memorable title bouts.

The 27-year-old rebounded from the loss in spectacular fashion, as he scored a second-round knockout of Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 37 in March to earn a rematch with Jones.

Unfortunately, the injury sustained in training caused enough damage to push Gustafsson out of the fight, opening the door for Cormier to take on Jones in another intriguing matchup.

Gustafsson remains in line to face the winner of Jones and Cormier, who on Monday clashed in a heated brawl at a UFC 178 press event.

Gustafsson’s withdrawal from UFC 178 marked the second time in his nearly five-year tenure with the organization that he’s been forced out of a scheduled bout. He was also unable to compete in a UFC on FUELTV 9 main event against Gegard Mousasi after a cut near his eye caused the local commission to scratch him from the event just days before the fight.

For more on UFC 178, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.