As more and more UFC combatants line up to take potshots at pound-for-pound king Jon "Bones" Jones, the man who pushed the light heavyweight champion to the limit at UFC 165 has taken a classier approach to getting another crack at the belt.
Phil Davis: "Bones" will back out of Glover fight
While Phil Davis and Daniel Cormier have spouted off repeatedly about Jones' fear of fighting top competition, Alexander Gustafsson marched in the opposite direction.
"The thing is he knows -- he knows I'm a really bad matchup for him. He knows that," Gustafsson said. "I don't think Jones is scared or he's trying to run or anything like that. He just knows that I'm a really bad matchup and he knows that we will fight one day. He knows that, but he's trying to avoid it as long as he can."
Jones wants Cormier, Gustafsson to fight with winner taking on champ
According Fox Sports, Gustafsson has been assured by UFC brass that he's next in line for a title shot against Jones if he beats Glover Teixeira at UFC 172. If Jones were to lose, however, he might get an immediate rematch and push Gustafsson back.
Gustafsson also made a prediction for UFC 172, and his call would lead to a title shot sooner rather than later.
"He's a very dangerous opponent. I think he's a good fighter in every aspect -- he's a good striker, good wrestler and he puts everything together and he hits very hard," Gustafsson told FOX Sports about Teixeira. "My prediction is I think Jones will win because I think Glover's a typical opponent for Jones. Jones wants to fight him because it matches up very good style wise."
His tact was far more respectful than Davis has been, who called Jones a "shortbread cookie" two weeks ago.
"I don't dislike Jon Jones. I quite like him. I think of Jon Jones as a shortbread cookie," Davis said. "He's soft, he's sweet, but when I get my hands on him he's going to crumble in the palm of my hand, that's what I think about Jon Jones. But that's just me, and that to me doesn't mean I dislike him."
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