UFC: Alexander Gustafsson's manager says Gustafsson is out of his UFC 227 fight due to a 'minor injury', says next fight should be for the 'meaningful result of the title'

Just as we thought we have a fight for Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 227, the fight is officially off.

Earlier today in the main event of UFC Hamburg, Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith took on legend Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua on short notice. Smith caught Rua with a shot and topped off with a nasty elbow to ice him mid air to win the fight KO. With two back to back finishes of legends in Rashad Evans and Rua, Smith was willing to take another shot notice fight to take on Alexander Gustafsson. However the call out is in vain.

Alexander Gustafsson’s manager Nima Safapour confirmed Gustafsson is out of the fight due to a minor injury, however claimed that ‘The Mauler’ wanted to fight badly on hhis card. The news was first revealed by MMAjunkie’s John Morgan (via Twitter):

Alexander Gustafsson's manager Nima Safapour has confirmed Gustafsson is off UFC 227 with a "minor injury." He wanted badly to be on the card, but wasn't meant to be. Safapour says Gustafsson will be fighting again "very soon." @MMAjunkieJohn first reported Gus off 227.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 22, 2018

Safapour also revealed that they were ready to accept a fight with Khalil Rountree if Gustafsson was fit. Safapour also said Gustafsson’s next fight should be for the ‘meaningful result of the title’. (via Twitter):

Gustafsson's agent Nima Safapour also adds, "Had Alex been fit to fight, we were prepared to face [Khalil] Rountree or anyone else the UFC had asked us … We don't care who opponent is, but whomever we face [next], it should be for the meaningful result of the LHW UFC title."

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 22, 2018