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One of the best fights in recent memory, the 2013 bout at UFC 165 stirred up the entire internet, setting them abuzz like a hornet's nest. While it is difficult to say who really deserved the win, looking back on it now, it remains one of those pure memories of any Mixed Martial Arts fan.
On the 21st of September, 2013, two of the very best in the world squared off against each other. Jon Jones was one of the indomitable fighters of the time, and Alexander Gustafsson shared the same traits as the Champion.
The bout between the two was one of the most anticipated fights of the time, as no one was sure who would be emerging from it as the winner. The fight took place five years ago from now, and since then, a lot has changed in the UFC, and for both fighters as well.
Here are 5 things to remember, looking back on Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson, the fight that was possibly one of the best and most well-matched in the history of the company.
#1. A time before the scandals:
Jon Jones has never been the purest and spotless fighters in the history of the company. He is known for using illegal elbows and even poking his opponents in the eye on occasion. However, back in those days, this was all that seemed to be wrong with him.
Don't get me wrong, he was still considered to be a selfish fighter, after refusing Dan Henderson's replacement as a potential fighter, and cancelling an entire card for the first time in the history of the UFC. But this was the limit of the scandals leading up to the fight. That, and a DUI, which would later come back to be seen as a taste of what could be coming in the next few years.
Two years after the fight, Jones was no longer considered to be the champion, and he was stripped of the title after being found to be in connection with a Hit and Run. That, combined with the fact that he tested positive for drugs multiple times, has seen him suspended for longer than he has been active in recent years.
#2. Both Fighters Had One Loss Each:
Coming into the title bout, both Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson had suffered a loss each in their UFC careers. Although both were looked upon as indestructible, in truth, both of them had suffered a loss and were not quite as strong as everyone believed them to be towards the beginning of their career with the company.
Gustaffson had lost his fight to Phil Davis at UFC 112, while at the same time, Jon Jones lost to Matt Hamill in the Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights Finale.
While Gustafsson would chalk up the second loss of his career after his fight with Jones, Jones has since remained undefeated.
#3. Gustafsson the Underdog:
Alexander Gustafsson faced Jon Jones in what was the biggest fight of either men's career till that point. Neither men knew it going into the fight.
Gustafsson was looked upon as the underdog in his fight against Jones. Neither man believed that the other would be able to defeat them, but to the audience, and the fans, Jones was the more high profile fighter.
It did not appear as if Jones would face too much problem when he faced a fighter who, despite having a good winning streak going, was thought to not have much of a chance as he did not have experience in big fights.
Jones, on the other hand, came into the fight having made short work of Chael Sonnen, and having fought the likes of Vitor Belfort, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans in previous fights.
#4. Title History:
Going into the fight, Gustafsson was the underdog for another reason.
Jon Jones had won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Mauricio Rua. He had since, defended the title on four different occasions, tying the then record for most consecutive title defences.
A win against Gustafsson would see him break the record. For Gustafsson on the other hand, he was in his first UFC Title fight against Jones, and although he too, had defeated Mauricio Rua, he was thought to be too inexperienced.
#5. The Fight:
The fight saw Jon Jones challenged in a big way for the first time in his career. He did not look as confident as he had in the lead-up to the fight, as Gustafsson was able to take Jones off his feet for the first time in his career.
As if that was not enough to shake the confidence of the champion, Gustafsson gave him a cut above the eye, which which hinder the champion for the rest of the five rounds.
But Jones is not someone who sits back when put under pressure. Instead he rallied and won the fight on significant strikes, 137-114. The fight ended in his favour by unanimous decision.
#6 The Aftermath:
After the fight was over, the internet was abuzz with controversy, like a kicked hornet's nest. While most of them agreed that Jones had won, there were a significant number of people who felt that the decision had been wrong and Gustafsson had deserved the title.
Gustafsson's fanbase increased tremendously after the fight was over, and among his takings from the fight was also Jon Jones' respect. Before he was taken away to the hospital, Jon Jones said that Gustafsson had given him the hardest fight in his career.
Their fight was awarded the 'fight of the night' bonus.
