Alexander Gustafsson: Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson hits harder than Jon Jones
When Alexander Gustafsson fought UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in 2013, he got closer to truly beating "Bones" than anyone had done before or has done since. Theirs was an epic five-round fight that was so close it still has MMA fans arguing over who deserved to get the nod.
In the end, Jones won the decision. When Gustafsson fought Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, in January, he couldn't get out of the way of the surging contender's big punches and didn't make it out of the first round.
Having gone to battle against both Jones and Johnson -- who will meet in the main event of UFC 187 on May 23 -- Gustafsson knows them both well. On Monday, Gustafsson told MMA Fighting that one of those former foes of his has a clear power-punching advantage.
"Oh, (Johnson) hits harder than Jones, yeah," the Swede said.
"'Rumble,' when he connects, you feel it. That's what Jones has to be careful of -- his power. When he comes with the pressure, he has really good pressure. He's really dangerous as a light heavyweight."
When it came time to make a prediction on who will win between Jones and Johnson, however, Gustafsson picked the champion. Though "The Mauler" said it was a "tough call," he thought that the title-holder's diversity of skills and leverage will serve him well against the heavy-handed Johnson.
"I think Jones will win the fight because he has more leverage and he has a little bit more, he mixes things up," he said.
"So I think he will win this fight. But, that said, 'Rumble' is a great fighter and a great person and he's heavy-handed. So, you know, anything can happen in a fight. You have to keep your chin down and your hands up. I'm very excited for that fight."
As was reported earlier today, Gustafsson himself will next fight June 20 in Berlin in a UFC main event opposite fellow former world title challenger Glover Teixeira.
