Gustafsson, ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira to Headline UFC on Fuel TV 2
Alexander Gustafsson looks to continue his roll against
‘Minotoro’ in his native Sweden. | Photo: Dave Mandel
Rising Swedish light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson will have the chance to propel his career into the next strata before a partisan crowd this spring, but he’ll have to do it against one of the division’s toughest veterans.
UFC officials Tuesday announced that Gustafsson will square off against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 2, which takes place April 15 at Ericsson Globe Arena in the Swede’s hometown of Stockholm. The bout is scheduled for three five-minute rounds, unlike recent UFC main events which have shifted to five rounds, even for non-title fights.
Also added to the bill was a bantamweight contest between two hard-hitting 135-pounders, Brad Pickett and Damacio Page. Additionally, officials confirmed several previously rumored bouts, including a welterweight matchup pitting submission ace Paulo Thiago against former Shooto champion Siyar Bahadurzada, and a middleweight affair between Alessio Sakara and Brian Stann.
Gustafsson, 24, has become one of the hottest prospects in the 205-pound division on the strength of four straight wins in a 14-month span. Since being submitted by fellow up-and-comer Phil Davis in April 2010, “The Mauler” has notched impressive finishes against a quartet of solid opponents, a streak which included a second-round knockout of Matt Hamill and, most recently, a two-minute decimation of Vladimir Matyushenko on Dec. 30.
A 10-year veteran with nearly twice the experience of his opponent, 35-year-old Nogueira comes fresh off a first-round stoppage of Tito Ortiz. The win snapped a two-fight losing skid which saw “Minotoro” outpointed by Davis and then-unbeaten Ryan Bader.
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