JRE MMA Show #23 with Alexander Gustafsson

Gustafsson’s shoulder and collarbone injury forced a six‑month layoff, during which he focused on boring but essential rehab, footwork, and conditioning; he came out of it feeling 100% and even more committed to his movement-heavy style.

He identifies movement and footwork as his “key thing,” noting that in the Glover Teixeira fight he could have fought ten rounds with the same pace because he stayed out of range, hit, and exited instead of trading in the pocket.

Gustafsson repeatedly critiques his own performances, saying he always wants to improve, often has to “take a beating first before I win,” and still fixates on tactical mistakes against DC and Jones despite those fights being classics.

He credits coach Andreas Michael’s old-school, brutally hard but smart programming—and a deep trust-based relationship—for his development, alongside high-level partners like Phil Davis, Jimi Manuwa, Ilir Latifi, and a steady influx of tough Russian wrestlers.

Gustafsson eats almost exclusively wild game he hunts himself, arguing it’s nutritionally superior to farmed meat and leaves him energized rather than sluggish; he also avoids sugar because he gains weight quickly when he eats it.