Over the years, Alexander Gustafsson, the Swedish mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, has significantly impacted the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Born on January 15, 1987, in Arboga, Sweden, Gustafsson began his MMA career in 2006.
In this article, you will know Alexander Gustafsson’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Alexander Gustafsson’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexander Lars-Åke Gustafsson |
| Nickname | The Mauler |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1987 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Height | 6’5″ (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 205 lbs (92 kg) |
| Weight Class | Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 79″ |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Allstars Training Center |
| Current Organization | Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) |
Alexander Gustafsson is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist who has been competing in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division.
Known for his striking skills and impressive height, Gustafsson has been a prominent figure in the MMA world.
Early Career
Alexander Gustafsson’s early career in martial arts began with boxing, which he started training in around the age of 10.
He showed promise in the sport, winning the national championship at the youth-junior level in 2003 when he was 16. In 2006, Gustafsson transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) training.
Before starting his professional MMA career, he competed in shootfighting, amassing a record of 5-1, with 4 wins by KO/TKO and 1 by decision.
Professional Career
Gustafsson’s professional MMA career began in smaller promotions in Sweden and other parts of Europe. By 2009, he had built an impressive 8-0 record 6 wins by KO/TKO, 1 by submission, and 1 by decision.
Notable victories during this period included a TKO win over German prospect Florian Muller and a unanimous decision victory against Polish top prospect Krzysztof Kulak.
In his last fight before signing with the UFC, Gustafsson defeated European veteran Vladimir Shemarov by knockout in the first round at Superior Challenge 3 on May 30, 2009.
Wife
Alexander Gustafsson is married to Moa Antonia Johansson.
Their relationship began in 2015, and they got engaged in a memorable moment inside the octagon after Gustafsson’s victory over Glover Teixeira in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2017.
The couple has two children. Their first child, a daughter named Ava, was born in May 2017, just days before Gustafsson proposed to Moa.
In September 2018, they welcomed their second child, a son.
Alexander Gustafsson’s Net Worth Details
Alexander Gustafsson’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025.
Contract
Gustafsson has been with the UFC since 2009 and is still under contract. As of 2024, he’s still technically active and under contract with the UFC despite not having fought since July 2022.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Estimated Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | UFC 232 | $380,000 |
| Glover Teixeira | UFC Fight Night 109 | $180,000 |
| Jan Blachowicz | UFC Fight Night 93 | $120,000 |
| Daniel Cormier | UFC 192 | $330,000 |
| Anthony Johnson | UFC on Fox 14 | $120,000 |
| Jimi Manuwa | UFC Fight Night 37 | $172,000 |
| Jon Jones | UFC 165 | $280,000 |
MMA Fight Records
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2022 | Nikita Krylov | Loss | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:07 | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall |
| Jul 25, 2020 | Fabrício Werdum | Loss | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 2:30 | UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till |
| Jun 1, 2019 | Anthony Smith | Loss | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 4 | 2:38 | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith |
| Dec 29, 2018 | Jon Jones | Loss | KO (punches) | 3 | 2:02 | UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 |
| May 28, 2017 | Glover Teixeira | Win | KO (punches) | 5 | 1:07 | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira |
| Sep 3, 2016 | Jan Błachowicz | Win | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett |
| Oct 3, 2015 | Daniel Cormier | Loss | Decision (split) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson |
| Jan 24, 2015 | Anthony Johnson | Loss | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:15 | UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson |
| Mar 8, 2014 | Jimi Manuwa | Win | TKO (knee and punches) | 2 | 1:18 | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa |
| Sep 21, 2013 | Jon Jones | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson |
FAQs
1. Who is Alexander Gustafsson?
Alexander Gustafsson, nicknamed “The Mauler,” is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist born on January 15, 1987. He is best known for competing in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division, where he was a three-time title challenger. He has also fought in the Heavyweight division and is regarded as one of the best fighters never to win a UFC championship.
2. What is Alexander Gustafsson’s MMA record?
Gustafsson’s professional MMA record stands at 18 wins and 8 losses. Of his victories, 11 were by knockout, 3 by submission, and 4 by decision. His losses include 3 by knockout, 3 by submission, and 2 by decision. He has competed in a total of 26 fights.
3. What are some of Alexander Gustafsson’s most notable fights?
Gustafsson’s most famous bouts include his two fights against Jon Jones at UFC 165 and UFC 232, with the first being named “Fight of the Year” in 2013. He also had a memorable title fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 192 and a dominant victory over Glover Teixeira in 2017.
4. What is Alexander Gustafsson’s fighting style?
Gustafsson is known for his striking-heavy style, rooted in his boxing background. He combines excellent footwork, fast combinations, and effective use of reach. Over time, he has also developed strong wrestling and grappling skills to complement his striking.
5. Why did Alexander Gustafsson leave the UFC?
Gustafsson left the UFC after his final fight in July 2022, citing that he was no longer at the UFC level. He later signed with the Global Fight League (GFL) to continue competing while exploring other opportunities in combat sports.
6. What is Alexander Gustafsson’s connection to Alliance MMA?
Gustafsson has trained part-time at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California, alongside fighters like Phil Davis and Dominick Cruz. This collaboration helped him improve his wrestling and overall skills while maintaining his primary training base at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm.
7. Has Alexander Gustafsson competed outside of MMA?
Before transitioning to MMA in 2006, Gustafsson was an accomplished amateur boxer, winning the Swedish national championship at the youth-junior level in 2003. He briefly returned to boxing in 2008–2009 but shifted focus entirely to MMA after signing with the UFC.
8. What is Alexander Gustafsson’s nickname and why?
Gustafsson’s nickname is “The Mauler,” reflecting his aggressive fighting style and ability to overwhelm opponents with powerful strikes and relentless pressure.
9. What were Alexander Gustafsson’s early achievements in MMA?
Before joining the UFC in 2009, Gustafsson had an undefeated record of 8-0, with notable wins over European prospects like Vladimir Shemarov and Krzysztof Kulak. These victories showcased his striking prowess and earned him a spot on the UFC roster.
10. What are Alexander Gustafsson’s future plans?
Gustafsson has signed with GFL and is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). These moves indicate his desire to remain active in combat sports while exploring new challenges outside traditional MMA promotions.
