UFC Stockholm: Anthony Smith Silences Crowd, Alexander Gustafsson Announces The “Show is Over”

Anthony Smith isn’t leaving the top of the 205 division anytime soon, as “Lionheart” silenced the crowd today at UFC Stockholm, by tapping out Swedish star Alexander Gustafsson.

Smith pressed forward right out of the gate as expected, while Gustafsson circled away. Neither fighter threw much in the first minute, but then Smith winged a couple of big punches. Gustafsson picked up the pace with kicks and whether it was on a kick or checking a kick, he opened up a cut on his left shin. Gustafsson also started firing his jab more often before the first round came to a close.

In between rounds the replay showed the cut on Gustafsson’s shin was opened by checking a kick by Smith. Not long into the frame, Smith missed with a huge, overhand right and he did so again moments later. Gustafsson continued to counter the pressure of Smith with kicks and jabs. The latter fired in a head kick attempt that Gustafsson blocked. Mid-round, Gustafsson started to move forward more often but Smith responded with a nice flurry of strikes. Before the round ended, Smith threatened with a couple of winging punches.

Gustafsson started loading up on his punches early into round three and Smith fired back with shots of his own. Gustafsson planted a nice right a couple of minutes in but once again, Smith offered back. Gustafsson continued to pick away at Smith with kicks, and then he appeared to stun the latter with a stiff jab. Moments later, Gustafsson planted a hard kick to the body and then took Smith to the floor before the round ended.

Smith came out aggressively in round four but missed with some big punches and kicks. Gustafsson attempted another takedown but Smith countered it nicely and took the contender’s back. Smith flattened Gustafsson out and landed a couple of shots from the top. Moments later, Smith sunk in a rear-naked-choke that forced “The Mauler” to tap-out. Huge win for Smith.

In his post-fight interview, Smith relayed that he broke his left hand earlier in the fight. Then, Gustafsson announced he was retiring from the sport, by stating the “show is over” and leaving his gloves in the Octagon.

Here are the complete results for UFC Stockholm.

Anthony Smith def. Alexander Gustafsson via submission (rear-naked-choke) R4, 2:38

Aleksandar Rakic def. Jimi Manuwa via KO (head kick) R1, 0:42

Makwan Amirkhani def. Chris Fishgold via submission (Anaconda Choke) R2, 4:25

Christos Giagos def. Damir Hadzovic via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)

Daniel Teymur def. Sung Bin Jo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Sergey Khandozhko def. Rostem Akman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lina Lansberg def. Tonya Evinger via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)

Leonardo Santos def. Stevie Ray via KO (punch) R1, 2:17

Frank Camacho def. Nick Hein via TKO (strikes) R2, 4:56

Bea Malecki def. Eduarda Santana via submission (rear-naked choke) R2, 1:59

Devin Clark def. Darko Stosic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)