Newark, NJ — Andreas Gustafsson finally made his long-awaited debut at UFC 316 on Saturday night. Originally scheduled to face Jeremiah Wells and then Trevin Giles at UFC Vegas 107, Gustafsson faced setbacks when both opponents withdrew from the fights. Shifting his focus to UFC 316, Gustafsson earned a unanimous decision victory in the welterweight division against Khaos "The Ox Fighter" Williams.
"It’s been a troubling two weeks," Gustafsson said after successfully debuting in the UFC. "Two pullouts, two weight cuts, two fight weeks. So I’m really happy to be here, I’m happy to get the win. I feel super." With this victory, Gustafsson now holds a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses.
Representing Sweden, Gustafsson aims to embody the Viking spirit in his approach to fighting. Influenced by notable Swedish MMA athletes like Alexander Gustafsson and Jack Hermansson, he brought a unique mindset to his preparation for UFC 316.
"I never watch tape. Never. I never watch my opponents, I never study them, I just do my things," he explained during a media interaction at the Prudential Center in Newark. "Like I told some people before, back in the day when the Viking wakes up in the morning, they don’t go study their opponents before they get out in the battlefield. They just grab their axe and go berserk. Live or die."
After experiencing the intensity of his first UFC fight, Gustafsson plans to take some time off to recharge before returning to the gym. He emphasized the importance of family during this period: "Of course I want to stay active, but a couple of weeks now, vacation, absolutely. I just want to go home now to my wife and kid. I know they miss me, I think they want to keep me home for a couple of weeks."
Despite his plans for a brief hiatus, Gustafsson remains ambitious for his future in MMA. With a fiery determination, he stated, "I’m always going to bring full retard. That’s the way I am." This firm resolve contributes to his exciting reputation as a fighter.
Overall, Andreas Gustafsson’s impressive debut at UFC 316 sets the tone for his future in the octagon. Fans can look forward to what this determined athlete from Sweden will accomplish next as he embraces the journey of an MMA fighter.
For an in-depth look at Gustafsson's performance and the event highlights, check out the full UFC 316 post-fight media appearance featuring Andreas Gustafsson.
