UFC
UFC on Fuel 2 Results: Alexander Gustafsson continues light heavyweight ascension with decision win over Thiago Silva
Apr 14, 2012 - 6:05:46 PM UFC on Fuel 2 Results: Alexander Gustafsson continues light heavyweight ascension with decision win over Thiago Silva

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Alexander Gustafsson's progression in the light heavyweight division continued on Saturday in front of a fantastic hometown crowd in Sweden at UFC on Fuel 2, as he defeated Thiago Silva by unanimous decision in the night's main event.

The fight was spent almost entirely on the feet, with Gustafsson effectively using his reach advantage to keep Silva at Bay. The biggest strike of the fight came early in the first round, when Gustafsson dropped Silva with a perfectly placed strike, but Silva recovered quickly and Gustafsson couldn't end things.

However, while stopping the fight grew out of question, Gustafsson continued controlling the striking action through the second and third rounds, and he never let Silva get comfortable in the cage.

With the win, Gustafsson has now won five straight fights in the Octagon, and will put his name in the mix in the light heavyweight title picture. Silva has lost three of five fights, and with injuries, suspensions, and a no contest in recent memory, he hasn't won a fight in almost three years.

Penick's Analysis: This was a great performance from Gustafsson. He showed great patience, excellent skills, and he pulled off a one-sided decision against a really good fighter in Thiago Silva. I think he still needs at least one more fight before he gets pushed to a title fight, and he may need another fight after that before he's ready for that leap, but he's on his way. He's a very good fighter, and he continues to impress and improve upon each of his performances, and I can't wait to see him fight again.