Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Smith Verbally Agree to Bout at UFC Stockholm

UFC Stockholm has its main event.

According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Swedish light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson will be fighting once again on home soil against Anthony Smith at the Ericsson Globe arena in Stockholm, Sweden on June 1.

Gustafsson is coming off of a third-round TKO loss to Jon Jones for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 232. It marked his second loss to Jones and his third loss challenging for the title. Now, in order to get another title shot, “The Mauler” will need to put together a string of wins, with his first chance coming against Smith.

“Lionheart,” meanwhile, is also coming off a loss to Jones for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 235 last week. Smith went the distance but was dominated the entire fight and needs to get back into the win column if he wants another shot at Jones.

The news was surprising given the fact Gustafsson agreed to fellow 205-pound contender Corey Anderson’s callout for UFC Stockholm just hours earlier. Ultimately, he and Smith verbally agreed to the fight and will get to meet in Sweden.