UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier is challenging UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic for the gold this July at UFC 226.
Alexander Gustafsson is a top contender to the light heavyweight crown and he believes DC is simply playing it safe by fighting at UFC 226.
“I don’t know what to say to that just more than, I’m not the one disappearing here,” Gustafsson said on The MMA Hour. “He knows I’m here and he knows I’m waiting for him. It feels like he’s just playing it safe, and he has everything to gain in that [UFC 226] fight and nothing to lose.”
Gustafsson has challenged DC for the title once before, suffering a decision loss to him at UFC 192 in October of 2015.
The Swedish fighting star doesn’t care if DC wins at UFC 226 because he just wants the UFC Light Heavyweight Title in the end.
“It is a tricky situation,” Gustafsson said. “As it comes to now and my positioning now, I’m just feeling that it doesn’t matter what happens, I’m just here to take that belt. That’s what my focus is and my purpose is right now. And of course I’m happy for the guys. They’re winning and we have a really strong team, and that’s something that means a lot to me. But I have my goal. I have my eyes and my focus on that belt right now.”
UFC 226 takes place on Saturday, July 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
