Return of ‘The Mauler’ - Alexander Gustafsson is ‘coming back stronger than ever’

You can add Alexander Gustafsson to the list of inactive fighters ready to make a comeback.

Gustafsson hasn’t fought since July 2020, suffering a quick armbar loss to Fabricio Werdum in “The Mauler’s” much-hyped debut at Heavyweight. That came one year after his last bout at Light Heavyweight — a fourth round submission loss to Anthony Smith that led to Alex announcing his retirement.

With another long layoff after the Werdum loss, there were questions as to whether Gustafsson would come back or fade away. But, it sounds like he’s ready to recommit:

“I have spent hours and hours in preparation,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “This summer I will dig deep inside myself. Warning – I’m coming back stronger than ever. Stay in touch. I will offer you the possibility to follow me all the way.”

That’s all the news we have ... no word on whether Gustafsson will fight at Heavyweight or go back down to Light Heavyweight, but he certainly looks pretty chonky in his “comeback” post. Either way, we think he’ll do well, so long as he’s got his head sorted. Even if it’s only enough to know that losses at this level happen and you can’t let it mess with you.