At UFC Stockholm, Anthony Smith defeated Alexander Gustafsson and moments later, Gustafsson announced his retirement. Luke Rockhold wasn’t impressed by Anthony Smith’s performance, as he believes Gustafsson had lost the will to fight.
“It looked like he retired before that fight started, a long time before,” Luke Rockhold told Submission Radio, speaking of Alexander Gustafsson (transcript via MMA Fighting). “. . . So, I don’t know where his head’s at. His head wasn’t there, he had a family and he just… he found an easy exit in Stockholm and found a way out in the fight obviously.
“He had a great career, put up some amazing fights, pushed DC to a split decision and Jon Jones to a split decision. The guy made his mark. Good for him, good for him. But he didn’t come to fight that night, I’ll tell you that.
“My feelings have not changed whatsoever. Gus didn’t come to fight. Anybody who has any time for the sport could see that he didn’t do a damn thing in that fight and he found a way out when the opportunity presented itself. It was an easy exit for him. So, that’s that. Obviously, the guy can fight. He could fight, but he just doesn’t want it anymore.”