Jon Jones and Alexander Gustaffson continue to trade words at each other despite the cancellation of their match-up, with "Bones" staying on the harsher end by declaring that he owes his former challenger a "severe beating."
Jon Jones and Alexander Gustaffson were slated to face each other at UFC 178 for a rematch of their previous encounter at UFC 165 in September 2013. However, "The Mauler" was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a knee injury he sustained during training, and Daniel Cormier subsequently replaced him.
But for the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, the unfinished business with his former adversary is something he must deal with.
"I'm excited to silence some critics," Jones explained in his appearance on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour. "You know, the Chael Sonnen situation with UFC 151, beating him after canceling UFC 151 was the greatest feeling I've ever had. I'm excited to have a similar feeling when I official close off the Alexander Gustafsson chapter."
Alexander Gustaffson, for his part, feels the same way, as he believes that given the damage he was able to inflict upon Jon Jones during their first fight, he can come out victorious the second time around.
"I want to fight Jones again for the title," Gustafsson said in a separate interview. "I know I can beat him. I know I have the tools to beat him. I know I can take that belt. So it was very hard for me not having that fight."
But when asked about whom he was rooting for as Jon Jones faces Daniel Cormier, "The Mauler" went on to side with the champion.
"No respect to DC, I think he's a very great opponent and a great athlete, I think he's a very tough fighter and a hard-working guy, but I believe Jones will win the fight," Gustaffson said.
Meanwhile for Jon Jones, Alexander Gustaffson is one of the roadblocks he wants to get rid of.
"I feel that I have something to prove to the MMA community when it comes to Gustafsson," Jones added. "I wasn't able to perform to my greatest ability [in the first fight], so I do owe Gustafsson a severe beating."
