A key light heavyweight bout between former division title challengers Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith headlined today’s UFC Stockholm event.

Both Smith and Gustafsson enter tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after each man fell short in their respective bids to dethrone reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Alexander Gustafsson (18-5 MMA) was defeated by “Bones” via third round knockout in his most recent octagon appearance at UFC 232. Prior to that, “The Mauler” had scored back to back wins over Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz respectively.

Meanwhile, Anthony Smith was last seen in action at April’s UFC 235 event, where he lost to Jon Jones via unanimous decision. The setback snapped a three-fight winning streak for “Lionheart”, who had previously scored stoppage victories over Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir.

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Round one of the UFC Stockholm main event begins and Smith takes the center of the cage. Gustafsson circles along the outside. Smith closes the distance and lands a right hand over the top. Anthony with a low kick. Gustafsson moves to his right. He lands a low kick but Smith counters with a right hand. Gustafsson with low kick and then an oblique kick. Anthony Smith comes forward and throws a left hand that just misses the mark. Gustafsson continues to circle along the cage. He lands a nice low kick as Smith attempts to step into the pocket. Another low kick from Gus. Smith continues to press the action. He swings and misses with an overhand right. Both men connect with low kicks. ‘The Mauler’ lands a stiff jab. Smith responds with a front kick to the body. Another jab lands for Gustafsson. Thirty seconds remain. Gus lands a pair of low kicks. Smith returns fire with one of his own. Alexander Gustafsson with a big left hand. That appears to stun Smith. The horn sounds to end round one.

Round two of the UFC Stockholm main event begins and Smith lands a short left hook to start. Alexander Gustafsson with a left hand. He circles along the cage to create some distance. Gus with a low kick and then another. ‘Lionheart’ steps in with a right hand but misses by a country mile. ‘The Mauler’ appears to be settling in now. Smith connects with a nice inside low kick. Gustafsson goes to the body with a punch. Smith is forcing the issue now. He throws a head kick which is partially blocked by the hometown favorite. Anthony Smith with a nice hook to the body of Gus. The Swede looks to respond with one of his own but Anthony is wise to it. Smith with a good uppercut followed by a kick to the body. ‘Lionheart’ with a nice left hook. Gus lands a low kick. Smith replies with a right hand over the top. One minute remains. Gustafsson with a low kick. He circles to his right. Smith cuts him off and lands a nice body shot. Gustafsson misses with an uppercut but lands a follow up left. Smith gets off the cage and lands a body kick. Gustafsson has taken control of the cage here. Round two comes to an end.

Round three begins and Alexander Gustafsson lands a front kick to the body to get things started. The fighters exchange big shots in the pocket. Both fighters landed some clean shots there. Smith throws a jab to the body. Gus with a low kick and then another. He looks for a trip but Smith avoids. Anthony comes forward now. Gustafsson keeps him at bay with his jab. Alexander with a nice right hand. Smith continues to press forward. He lands a nice right hand. Gustafsson gets off the cage and fires off a hook. Smith goes to the body with a kick. He lands a low kick but Gus counters nicely with a left hook. Another good exchange in the pocket. Gustafsson lands a left hook to the body. Smith with a low kick. Gus lands a jab and then another. The Swede lands a low kick now. He follows that up with combination. A good body kick from Gustafsson leads to a takedown. He immediately moves to side control. Twenty seconds remain in round three. Smith does a good job to hang on and the horn sounds

Throwing HEAT in the third! #UFCStockholm pic.twitter.com/AmWPNZ2tkq

— UFC (@ufc) June 1, 2019

MASSIVE body shot into a takedown!@AlexTheMauler looks to take control as we head to the fourth. #UFCStockholm pic.twitter.com/kWD4aywuYW

— UFC (@ufc) June 1, 2019

Round four of the UFC Stockholm main event begins and Gustafsson lands a low kick. He attempts to go to the body but Smith catches him with a right. Alexander pumps his jab. Smith comes forward with a head kick that misses. Gustafsson lands a pair of kicks. He shoots in for a takedown. Smith scrambles and winds up getting on top of the Swede. He takes Gustafsson’s back and looks to secure a rear-naked choke. He switches to punches and elbows. Gus is in trouble. Anthony Smith goes back for the choke and this time it is there. This one is all over!

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Official UFC Stockholm Result: Anthony Smith def. Alexander Gustafsson via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 4