Alexander Gustafsson wants return fight against Ovince St Preux after Ben Rothwell’s shocking UFC release

Ovince St. Preux- Alexander Gustafsson
Looks like upcoming UFC heavyweight and former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson has to make some adjustments on his return to an upper weight class. Gustafsson, who last fought in 2020, had a brief moment of glory in 2021 when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame 2021 for his title fight against former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

In his career, Gustafsson came short in title fights thrice, against Jones twice and another former champion, MMA Legend Daniel Cormier. Regardless, it cannot be denied that the resume of wins Gustafsson has is the reason he is considered one of the best fighters to ever win a UFC belt. In the past, Gustafsson had wins over those that went on to become light heavyweight champions themselves such as Jan Blachowicz and Glover Texeira.
Alexander Gustafsson wants Ovince St. Preux, but St. Preux already got a fight before Gustaffson’s debut date

As first reported by MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, the famous sports journalist wrote in a tweet “With Ben Rothwell out (and subsequently released from UFC), Alexander Gustafsson’s team tells me they want OSP now.” Gustafsson was expected to return inside the Octagon and debut in the heavyweight division against a veteran heavyweight legend in Ben Rothwell. But Rothwell turned out to be released by the UFC and the reason for the release is not cleared yet.
Now Gustafsson wants to fight another exciting fighter in UFC light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux. St. Preux has prior experience fighting in the heavyweight, so there’s a reason Gustaffson would want to fight him. But there’s a problem Gustafsson might not be aware of. St. Preux is already lined up to fight former UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua which is happening before Gustafsson’s originally scheduled debut.
What do you make of Gustafsson’s demand to fight St. Preux now that Rothwell is released? Who do you think wins between Gustafsson and St. Preux if that fight takes place? What do you think are the other good alternatives for Gustafsson if the St. Preux fight doesn’t happen? To find someone who can give a relatively easier comeback as compared to the top-ranked heavyweights, and is a huge name in itself, Gustafsson can go for a fight against former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.