Jimi Manuwa didn’t make things easy on Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa, but the outcome was what many expected nonetheless.
The two came out and traded on the feet briefly, a body kick from Gustafsson getting a head nod acknowledgement from Manuwa. Moments later the two fighters were on the floor after a Gustafsson takedown. Rather than opening up with offense from the half guard, Gustafsson repeatedly fished for a kimura before eventually getting sucked into full guard and seeing the fight eventually go back to the feet.
Manuwa’s best moment came before the end of the first round, landing a hard body shot that got Gustafsson to back off and take a light jog away from the action.
The second round saw Gustafsson comfortable on the feet again, but brief inside exchange saw him push Manuwa away with an open hand to the face that resulted in an eye poke. After a recovery beak, Gustafsson opened up with a big flurry, hurting Manuwa with a knee to the head and dropping him to the canvas where it was only the matter of a few punches to get the referee to jump in and call a halt to the action.
Dana White tweeted after the fight that if Jon Jones wins his next fight fans will be treated to a “nasty rematch,” essentially confirming his earlier statements that Gustafsson would earn his second chance at the title with a victory.