Jones-Gustafsson To Be Inducted Into The UFC Hall Of Fame

On the night one of the best fights in UFC history took place in Weili Zhang v. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, another fight was being honored for its claim to that name.

At UFC 248 it was announced that Jon Jones v. Alexander Gustafsson from UFC 165 in 2013 will be the latest bout inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place during International Fight Week starting on July 9.

Taking its rightful place in the #UFCHOF 👏

🏆 @JonnyBones vs @AlexTheMauler joins immortality on July 9. pic.twitter.com/hV8MVWgvu6

— UFC (@ufc) March 8, 2020

“Going into the first Jones vs. Gustafsson fight, fans and media didn’t care about the fight, because they didn’t believe Gustafsson deserved a title shot, and this thing ended up being the greatest light heavyweight title fight in UFC history,” UFC President Dana White said. “To be there and watch it live was amazing. It was an incredible fight and both athletes gave everything they had for all five rounds. This fight was such a classic it was named the 2013 Fight of the Year and will always be considered one of the greatest fights in combat sports history.

“This fight showed what a true champion Jon Jones was, as this was the first time he was taken into deep waters and truly tested. This fight also put Gustafsson on the map and showed his true potential. Congratulations to Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson on being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame ‘Fight Wing’ for such an epic fight.”

The sixth Light Heavyweight Title defense for Jon Jones highlighted Gustafsson’s Canadian debut. It was a true test for Jones, something that was rare to see prior to this bout. When the later rounds hit, things really kicked into gear.

When FIGHT SPORTS reviewed the fight before his bout against Dominick Reyes, this was how it was described: 

“When the championships rounds hit, the first time Gustafsson made it there, art was being created. “The Mauler” hit lefts and right jabs that blooded the face of Jones. While an elbow by Jones wobbled him, Gustafsson stopped multiple takedown attempts, making Jones realize this would be the toughest challenge of his career.

“If art was being created in round four, round five was the Mona Lisa. Gustafsson just throttled Jones with uppercuts and elbows. Jones finally got a takedown in the tenth, after ten tries, but Gustafsson got right back up. He no-sold a head kick by Jones and hit him with spinning elbows. Jones returned the favor and ended the fight with a flying knee.”

Members of UFC’s Fight Wing include Forrest Griffin v. Stephan Bonnar from The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale, Shogun Rua v. Dan Henderson from UFC 139, Matt Hughes v. Frank Trigg from UFC 52, Diego Sanchez v. Clay Guida from The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale and Mark Coleman v. Pete Williams from UFC 17.