Alexander Gustafsson injured, unable accept Anthony Smith callout

On Sunday afternoon, Anthony Smith dispatched of another MMA legend, clubbing former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua with first-round strikes in the UFC Hamburg main event.

In the wake of this incredible knockout, Smith could have called out pretty much anybody, from Corey Anderson, who won in the UFC Hamburg co-main event, to Jimi Manuwa, who sat cage-side for the card. Instead of calling out either of these men, however, he targeted a showdown with top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson.

Gustafsson was briefly scheduled for a scrap with recent title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227 on August 4 in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for the Swede, Oezdemir withdrew from the fight with an injury — which opened the door for Smith to attempt to step in.

"Gustafsson, I'll see you in LA!"

Who wants to see @LionheartSmith vs @AlexTheMauler at #UFC227?#UFCHamburg pic.twitter.com/EGDk6CsrdQ

— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2018

“Gustafsson, I’ll see you in LA,” Smith said in this clever callout.

Regrettably, Gustafsson has apparently sustained an injury of his own, and will not be able to fight at UFC 227. This, according to MMAjunkie’s John Morgan.

Well, before everyone gets too excited about Gustafsson-Smith, I’m told by multiple UFC officials that Alex is actually hurt and out of 227.

— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) July 22, 2018

“Well, before everyone gets too excited about Gustafsson-Smith, I’m told by multiple UFC officials that Alex is actually hurt and out of 227,” Morgan said in a Tweet moments after Anthony Smith’s post-fight callout of Gustafsson.

So, as exciting as the prospect of a short notice, Anthony Smith vs. Alexander Gustafsson UFC 227 was, it sounds like it won’t be happening. At least not yet.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/22/2018.