Shogun Rua vs. Alexander Gustafsson Determines Number One Contender At Light Heavyweight

A pivotal light heavyweight bout takes place this Saturday in the UFC between former champion Shogun Rua and rising contender Alexander Gustafsson.  The bout just got a little more interesting because Dana White, at the UFC on Fox 5 Pre-Fight Press Conference, said that the winner of this bout will be next in line to challenge for the title.

“Look at the fights that Shogun has had — his past two or three fights.  This is definitely, there is no doubt about, he [Mauricio Rua] is the gatekeeper to that title. If Alexander can beat Shogun, he’d get the shot. If Shogun wins, he gets it.”

Both fighters have a lot on the line in this fight.  For Shogun, he wants to prove that he still has what it takes to compete with the young lions in the division, and he also would love another crack at Jon Jones, who is set to defend his belt against the always entertaining Chael Sonnen.

For Gustafsson, this will be his biggest fight to date and also his toughest.  Thus far in his career, his most challenging fight was against Phil Davis, who was able to submit him via anaconda choke in the first round.  Since that loss, he has gone 5-0, stopping four of his opponents by way of submission or TKO.

Both fighters are ready for a war come fight time, and this fight has fire works written all over.  Fans should expect a stand up war from start to finish, and the winner will finally get their chance to capture UFC gold.