UFC 178: Injured Gustafsson expects Jones to beat Cormier

In the aftermath of a knee injury that has forced him out of a UFC 178 title rematch against Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson spoke to UFC.com.

"I was sparring and I felt my knee pop twice, but it didn't hurt, it just felt strange," he said. "I finished training and came home and then I woke up the next morning and I could barely walk on my right leg. Then I felt the knee right away."

Doctors are telling Gustafsson that he will need to rehab for up to six weeks following the surgery to fix his knee.

As for the chances of the man who's stepping up in his place to face Jones? Let's put it this way: Gustafsson expects to challenge Jones for the title, not Daniel Cormier.

"It's an interesting matchup. Both are great athletes and it's going to be a tough fight for sure. But Jones has his height and reach advantage over DC, so I think that will be the key thing in this fight. I think Jones by decision."