Alexander Gustafsson (pictured) was deemed medically unfit to perform in Saturday’s UFC card due to a cut he sustained in training. Photo used courtesy of MMAjunkie.com.
UFC President Dana White is firmly against the decision by the Swedish Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) to deem Alexander Gustafsson unfit to fight Saturday, according to a post the president made on Wednesday.
White slammed the SMMAF with a Twitter post that included a picture of Gustafsson taken Wednesday that, according to White, doesn’t allow one to see a cut.
“This pic was taken of Gustafsson today and u can’t even see the cut!!!” White posted on the social media website. “Worst decision I have EVER seen to pull fight.”
The SMMAF decided on Tuesday that Gustafsson would not be medically cleared to participate in Saturday’s UFC on Fuel TV 9 main event against Gegard Mousasi due to a cut the Swedish fighter sustained in training.
As a replacement to Gustafsson, the UFC inserted his training partner, Ilir Latifi, to contest Mousasi in this weekend’s featured bout.
Gustafsson released a statement early Tuesday via MMANytt.se that explained how his laceration happened — an unfortunate mishap in wrestling practice.
“I am extremely sorry for this and I feel [for] Gegard Mousasi.” Gustafsson said in the statement. “I also suffer with the fans who have been looking forward to this event and this match.”
Gustafsson’s withdraw from the card has forced UFC officials to change the main event from a five-round to a three-round fight, which stems from the fact that Latifi is taking the fight with four days notice, according to various reports.
UFC on Fuel TV 9 is scheduled take place Saturday, April 6, in Stockholm, Sweden.
