Jimi Manuwa set to face Alexander Gustafsson in London on 8th March

It was announced tonight on BT Sport’s Beyond the Octagon that former light heavyweight No.1 contender Alexander Gustafsson (17-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) will fight local favourite Jimi Manuwa in the main event when the UFC returns to London on March 8^th of next year.

Gustafsson, who fought most recently at UFC 165, where he gave long time champion Jon Jones the sternest test of his professional career during an engrossing five rounds, was scheduled to fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in London. However, Lil’ Nog was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a reoccurring back injury, only five days after Dana White announced it at the UFC Fight Night 30 post-fight press conference in Manchester.

Many believed the Swede would get an immediate re-match with Jones considering just how close he pushed the champion, instead, the next shot at the 205lbs crown has been given to Glover Teixeira, with details of the match yet to be announced.

Manuwa (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) beat Ryan Jimmo in Manchester via TKO in Round 2, after the Canadian was unable to continue due to an injured leg. The Lion’s Pride MMA exponent has yet to go the distance in his professional career, earning 13 of his wins by TKO/KO and one by submission.

 By Tom Rooney – @oldmanrooney