clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

UFC 165: Gustafsson talks smack in Swedish, aspires to be like Chris Weidman

UFC Light Heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson challenges Jon Jones for the title at UFC 165, he's elected to start trash talking to outlets in his native Sweden.

By Nate Wilcox
USA TODAY Sports

So far in his four year UFC career, Swedish Light Heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson has managed to avoid controversy while working his way up the ladder. Now that he's finally got his title shot at UFC 165 on September 1 he's decided to open up and let us know what he really thinks about champion Jon Jones.

First he had some fairly vanilla comments for the English-language press via Fighters Only:

"I take inspiration from what Chris Weidman did against Anderson. This could be the year when a lot of title belts change hands. This is a totally different fight, of course, but Weidman proved that nobody is invincible. Hendricks versus GSP is also a good fight that could end with a new champion too."

Fortunately for those hoping to read something interesting coming from Gustafsson he also spoke to the Swedish media. Here's what he said about Jon Jones via Kimura.se (translation via Google):

"He's a little brat in an adult's body. Jones is a very immature boy in a grown man's body.

"It is not always that a person is himself in front of the cameras, and that's Jones. If you're with him for a week, as I did at UFC World Press Tour ... you see the way he behaves. He is a real bully.

"It's like you spoil a kid. You just say yes, yes, everything that a kid ask for. Since there are no limits. It is all haywire. No, his behavior then ... No, I'm not a fan of it if I say so.

"We would do an interview together in England. Me and Andrew (Michael) had to sit and wait for Jones was delayed. When he comes in 45 minutes late, he asks not even apologize. Neither me or to those who would do the interview.

"I am a professional and have great respect for Jones as a fighter. There are not many who can do what he has done and he deserves all the respect. But as a person, as a role model, I'm really not a fan."

It will be very interesting to see what the reaction is to Gustafsson's comments from Jones.

SBN coverage of UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson

More from Bloody Elbow:

Get the latest gear

More From Bloody Elbow