• UFC

Gustafsson left waiting by Jones injury

ESPN staff
April 30, 2013
Alexander Gustafsson wants Jon Jones but needs to fight while the champion is sidelined © Getty Images
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Alexander Gustafsson has moved himself into contention for a title shot against Jon Jones, but plans to take on Lyoto Machida while the UFC light-heavyweight champion recovers from a broken toe.

President Dana White pledged to put Gustafsson next in line to face Jones had he beaten Gegard Mousasi at UFC on FUEL 9, before a cut to his eye forced the Swede into a last-minute withdrawal.

But while Machida looked set to take on Jones next after beating Dan Henderson at UFC 157, the champ called out Gustafsson before breaking his big toe in his first-round TKO of Chael Sonnen at UFC 159.

With Jones sidelined and Gustafsson having not fought since beating Mauricio Rua in December, the 26-year-old has lined up Machida for his return to action should the champ be ruled out until September.

"I want to fight Jones," Gustafsson told the MMA Hour. "I want to fight for the title, that's what I want to do, but I am not going to wait for a long time because I fought in December. I fought 'Shogun' [Rua] in December and I want to fight soon. I want to fight in a couple of months, at least.

"If Jones can't fight, which I would understand because [his injury] looked very nasty and could be out for a while, then I will fight Machida, too. But, if Jones can fight in a few months, I would love to fight him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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