Coach explains why Alexander Gustafsson is back at Alliance MMA

Alexander Gustafsson currently doesn’t have a fight booked inside the Octagon, however in the wake of his controversial split decision loss to Daniel Cormier back at UFC 192, Gustafsson is back training at Alliance MMA in California under Eric Del Fierro.

With Anthony Johnson’s recent win over Ryan Bader this past weekend in New Jersey at UFC on FOX 18, he likely has earned himself a title shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II later this year.

That leaves Gustafsson ranked #3 behind Jon Jones & Anthony Johnson in a division that needs title contenders. With the possibility of a fight with either Ryan Bader or Glover Teixeria on the horizon, Gustafsson has gone back to Alliance MMA in California.

Alliance MMA head coach Eric Del Fierro spoke to MMAFighting to discuss Gustafsson returning to Alliance.

“I think he just wanted to get away and try to spend more time in the U.S., kind of take a break from being in the spotlight over there more than anything,” Del Fierro told MMA Fighting. “I don’t think it’s necessarily any different type of training, just trying to get out of the spotlight a little bit. In Sweden, he’s huge. He’s just a huge athlete. He is super famous over there.”

“His full game is amazing,” the coach said. “We’re always looking to improve every aspect of his game, not just his footwork. But at that level, the level he’s fighting at, he needs the full game.”