Alexander Gustafsson (18-6) will make a return to competition, while not MMA, “The Mauler” will compete in a no-gi grappling superfight on December 11 at The Theatre in Gothenburg, Sweden. The promotion announced today that the Allstars Training Center fighter will be part of the newly announced AK Fighting Championships 3 card in Alex’s old home down.
Gustafsson will be facing another Swede in prospect Anton Turkalj (3-0) that is undefeated so far in his pro MMA career at 3-0. The GBG MMA fighter will be on his home turf to face the Swedish legend. The light heavyweight fighter has had a long and successful amateur career, including wins at MMA Galla and Trophy MMA. The Swede also medaled at the 2017 and 2018 IMMAF European Championships, plus the 2017 World Championships. He even captured gold at the 2017 IMMAF Euro championships.
Gustafsson announced his retirement from the sport in his post-fight interview following his loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith in front of his hometown fans in June. However, the feeling not to fight didn’t last. “It came quite fast… I was home for a couple days, and I had itching in my hands and wanted to get back and train.”
But all signs point to “The Mauler” stepping back into the Octagon at some point. “I’m talking with the UFC, we are going back and forth” says the Swede to MMA Viking at Allstars Training Center’s open house in Stockholm.
