Following his second consecutive loss in the octagon, Alexander Gustafsson surprised fans by hanging up his gloves. However, the 33-year-old Swedish fighter feels he still has more to offer. Though he will not step back into the octagon unless he s at the top of his game.

The three-time title contender announced his retirement in June 2019 following his loss to Anthony Smith(32-14-0). The pair were headlining UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs Smith and the latter was able to force a submission out of The Mauler(18-6-0).

Several rumors about Gustafsson’s return to the octagon started surfacing towards late 2019. However, the Swede remained rather tight-lipped about the issue. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Gustafsson hinted at a return to fighting ways. No promises were made, however, the winds of retirement have changed towards a more favorable direction.

“I’m (going to be) honest with you. I’m 33 years old and I feel like I’ve got a couple more years in me. I just have to do it correctly this time. I was actually looking to go to American before this coronavirus (expletive) happened. To go there and train just to get the feeling again and change the environment. Can’t give a yes or a no, but I’m training and it feels good.”- Alexander Gustafsson

The Coronavirus pandemic may have tossed a wrench in the way of his comeback plans. For Gustafsson, just like the rest of the world in holed up at home. The Mauler claims he has been getting in some workouts here and there, but nothing that will help him make the return he desires.

Alexander Gustafsson Hopes To Travel Stateside

Allstars Training Center in Sweden is the gym he calls home. He claims there are a lot of tough fighters in his gym however, training with the same fighters has made it easier for him to predict their next move.

“It’s a mental thing. I love to be at home and I feel very comfortable being at home around my kids, and I go to the gym. We have some really tough guys in the gym. But you train with the same guys too long and you start knowing what the guys are going to do. That’s why we’re looking – not even for a fight camp – just go out there to America and train.

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Gustafsson did travel to the United States to train at times in the past. Alliance MMA in San Diego, California was the American haven he went to. However, making a trip to the States is not in the cards right now considering the travel restrictions all over the world.

“I want to get tested again and get that feeling of being in deep waters. It motivates me a lot, too. It’s definitely a mental thing for me. I’m always prepared – my conditioning is always there and my strength, but it’s a mental thing. It’s not about age in this sport. I feel like I need to get out there in the deep waters again and test my skills against many guys and get better as a fighter, then see what’s next.”- Alexander Gustafsson

As of now, Gustafsson does not doubt his skills at all. He is confident that he can take on any light heavyweight in the game right now and come out on top. Even though he has not stepped foot into the octagon since June 2019 and won a fight since May 2017.

Who do you think Gustafsson should take on for his comeback fight?