UFC 192 Poster (Photo : Photo: UFC)
At only 28 years young, Alexander Gustafsson has seen and been through a lot inside the octagon.
The Swede has dominated legitimate UFC veterans such as Vladimir Matyushenko, Thiago Silva, and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
He also suffered heartbreaking losses to Phil Davis via an anaconda choke, and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson by technical knockout.
These setbacks - including the defeat to Johnson in Sweden - however, still pale in comparison to the agony of losing razor-thin championship fights to two of best 205-pounders the UFC has ever seen.
Before the recently concluded UFC 192, Gustafsson was best known as the only fighter to push Jon Jones to the limit. Their epic fight was regarded as one of the best - if not the best - championship matches in the company's history.
Two years later, the Arboga, Sweden native was on the same stage again; this time facing Daniel Cormier - whose only loss came from the aforementioned, Jones. Once more, "The Mauler" failed to secure the title in another close decision loss.
A lot of people know by heart quotes that pertain to losses and how this stumbling block is just another painful step toward an ultimate goal.
But imagine putting someone in Alexander Gustafsson's shoes.
Think of a person who can go through the same ordeal, fight the same wars, and lose in the same manner.
Yes, it's easy to lay out all the superlatives and use a variety of sports clichés to alleviate the pain that comes from losing those types of matches.
But really, does it have any effect on a fighter's psyche?
Does it actually erase the scars of defeat?
Do kind words take Gustafsson's mind off of things that are beyond his control?
Does he now assume the role of the division's upper tier gatekeeper?
No one will ever really know. Anyone's guess is probably as good as the next person's.
A couple of things are clear, though: Alexander Gustafsson is an elite fighter who pushes pound-for-pound kings to the limit, a more-than-capable contender who churns out instant classics, and a warrior who always leaves his heart inside the cage - win or lose.
In the end, Daniel Cormier might have said it best: "This sport needs guys like Alexander Gustafsson who can go out there and lay it all on the line against the best fighters in the world."
