UFC 316 supplied an evening of fireworks, with bonus-worthy fights flooding the cardboard from begin to end. Many deserving fighters missed out on the additional 50,000-dollar bonus because of the sheer variety of unimaginable moments. New stars appeared, former champions light, and wars have been had. One man who impressed specifically was Swedish welterweight fighter, Andreas Gustafsson.
Dealing with his second weight lower in as many weeks, in addition to his third opponent in that point, Gustafsson had all the chances stacked in opposition to him. “Bane” went into the cage, pushed his chips to the center of the desk, and went all-in, wowing the viewers along with his gung-ho type. Matched up with knockout artist Khaos Williams, Gustafsson confirmed no indicators of worry, displaying the Viking mindset he strives to own. “Bane’s” gasoline tank confirmed no indicators of slowing, regardless of three rounds of outstanding tempo. Gustafsson amazed followers along with his relentless soiled boxing and clinch work, leaving Williams a bloody mess by the point the ultimate bell rang.
The query is, who’s subsequent for the surging Swede?
Choice #1 – Nicholas Dalby
Sweden versus Denmark, warrior versus warrior, this matchup is one for the followers. Dalby not too long ago suffered a devastating knockout loss to Randy Brown a bit over a month in the past and might have a while to get better. Nevertheless, if Dalby have been keen to step again into the cage later this summer season, Gustafsson would make the right opponent. Two Scandinavians who actually embody the Viking method, this may be a conflict match for a battlefield. Dalby’s type enhances Gustafsson’s, with each males counting on strain and a ferocious mindset, with neither understanding the that means of quitting. Simply writing about this matchup makes me excited, with a possible combat of the 12 months contender within the making.
Nevertheless, as beforehand acknowledged, Dalby suffered a heavy loss, breaking his nostril within the course of. Different choices have to be assessed if the Danish daredevil is just too wounded to return to motion so quickly.
Choice #2 – Themba Gorimbo
Themba Gorimbo represents a brand new problem for Gustafsson, a uncommon case of a person who can match “Bane’s” superhuman gasoline tank and strain. Gorimbo could maintain the important thing to slowing down the Swede’s gathering momentum. Carrying a 4-2 report within the UFC, Gorimbo earned himself a possibility to search out himself within the rankings heading into his final combat with Vicente Luque. Nevertheless, as so many have earlier than, Gorimbo got here unstuck vs the skilled Luque, being choked unconscious within the first spherical. For Gorimbo, Gustafsson would current a possibility to regain his misplaced momentum. For Andreas, a combat with Gorimbo could be the most important of his profession, testing his expertise in opposition to one of many division’s finest.
Choice #3 – Santiago Ponzinibbio
For our third and closing potential choice, Gustafsson will get the chance to face a UFC legend, with 20 fights within the promotion. Santiago Ponzinibbio has been a mainstay of the welterweight division since coming into the promotion in 2013. The Argentine has turn out to be an actual fan favorite, identified for his ending potential, having seven within the promotion. Ponzinibbio is all the time keen to tackle a problem, having not too long ago confronted Geoff Neal, Kevin Holland and Carlos Prates. A win over “The Argentine Dagger” could be large for Gustafsson, pushing to inside touching distance of a top-15 opponent.
Andreas Gustafsson has the potential to be a fan favorite within the UFC, along with his fearless, relentless type instantly successful over the lots. His subsequent combat have to be chosen rigorously by the UFC brass. Every of those choices — Dalby, Gorimbo, or Ponzinibbio — would supply “Bane” with an ideal platform to maintain his momentum rolling and carve out a spot within the welterweight hierarchy.
