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The main event of FUEL TV’s Sweden card is set, as Ilir Latifi will face Gegard Mousasi.

Mousasi will face Iliir Latifa this Saturday live on @fueltv Latifa is from Sweden and training partner of Gustafsson.

— Dana White (@danawhite) April 2, 2013

Latifi (7-2) will be taking the place of Alexander Gustafsson in the bout. He is a training partner of “The Mauler’s,” who was forced out of the fight with a cut suffered last week.

The decision to find a replacement for Gustafsson was likely tied into finding someone who was already in Sweden.

So, the question is, will you tune in just to see how bad Mousasi destroys this guy?

Alexander Gustafsson will not be facing Gegard Mousasi this Saturday night in Sweden. The Swedish MMA Federation ruled that a cut suffered by “The Mauler” will keep him from the fight.

Here is the release sent out by the SMMAF:

According to SMMAF regulations the competitors in a match shall be examined by the certified appointed match doctor prior to the match. The examination is always carried out the day before the match, this is to safeguard that a competitor shall never be cleared for a match earlier than the day before the match.

In the case of Alexander Gustafsson there was a request for an early indicative medical examination which was immediately performed on March 30th (Easter Eve). The federation doctors that performed the examination informed Gustafsson that his injury was of such a nature that it was very unlikely that he would be medically cleared for a match in the near future. These doctors did not have a mandate to stop the match at the time of that examination.

The SMMAF Medical Committee has today reviewed the circumstances regarding Gustafsson and his injury. The SMMAF Medical Committee recognizes that a competitor cannot be medically cleared earlier than the day before the match. However, bearing in mind that a correct medical examination that met the regulatory demands has been performed, nothing in the SMMAF regulations hinders the SMMAF Medical Committee from making a decision to stop Gustafsson from competing. As it is clear that Alexander Gustafsson will not be fit to compete as planned and cannot be medically cleared on Friday the 5th of April, the SMMAF Medical Committee has today decided that Alexander Gustafsson will not be allowed to participate in the planned match on April 6th.

So, does Wanderlei Silva hop on that plane and meet Mousasi now after all? He said he “hoped” the bout would happen earlier on Tuesday.

Wanderlei Silva was thought to be playing an April Fool’s Day joke, but instead it appears the Brazilian is 100-percent honest: “The Axe Murderer” is headed to Sweden to face Gegard Mousasi.

MMAWeekly’s Ken Pishna confirmed with Silva that he will replace Alexander Gustafsson this Saturday night at UFC on FUEL TV 9. Gustafsson suffered a cut in training and is not likely to be cleared by the Swedish commission.

“UFC news my guys fight Saturday against Mousasi,” Silva posted. “What you think? UFC just contact me. I am (ready) I don’t have any injury and training a lot. Fight is fight!!!”

While this fight likely will not help to position Mousasi in the 205-pound rankings, it is sure to feature fireworks. Silva needs to end it quickly, though, as Mousasi is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the world.

According to multiple sources, Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 main event fight between Alexander Gustafsson and Gegard Mousasi is in danger.

Gustafsson suffered a cut in training, and it appears as if the Swedish commission will not clear him to compete. Nothing has been confirmed by the UFC as of late Sunday night.

The bout is slated to headline the card from Stockholm, Sweden, with the winner positioning themselves for a future UFC light heavyweight title shot.

Stay tuned to MMAConvert.com for the latest news concerning this ongoing story.

Alexander Gustafsson believes his path to the UFC light heavyweight title is laid out in front of him.

First, Gustafsson will face Gegard Mousasi next month at UFC on FUEL TV: Gustafsson vs. Mousasi.

After that, he has plans to call for a shot at the belt – something he was originally told was his after a win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

“I am going to grab the mic and I’m going to challenge the champ after this fight,” said Gustafsson, during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour. “I will (call out the champion). No more Mr. Nice Guy, no more running; it’s time.”

Gustafsson made sure to let everyone know that he isn’t overlooking Mousasi, adding, “My biggest concern right now is (him). That’s my biggest focus, that’s the only thing I think of right now.”

This will be another challenge for Gustafsson, and possibly the biggest of his career. But, “The Mauler” is built in the new-generation of MMA fighter, and Mousasi will be stepping into enemy territory with the bout taking place in Sweden.

Look for the taller Gustafsson to use his reach and silence Mousasi in his UFC debut.

Photo credit: MMAFighting.com

Despite Lyoto Machida’s claim that the winner of his bout with Dan Henderson should be the No. 1 contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, that distinction remains with Alexander Gustafsson – provided he defeat Gegard Mousasi.

Gustafsson and Mousasi will square off in April at UFC on FUEL TV 9, while Machida and Henderson meet next Saturday at UFC 157.

During a recent conference call, Machida insisted that his bout was worthy of providing the next challenger to UFC 205-pound champion Jon Jones. UFC president Dana White, though, differs from that stance.

“If Mousasi beats Gustafsson, he skyrockets right to the top of that division,” White said. “And as far as Gustafsson goes, if he beats Mousasi, he’s in line for a title shot.”

Gustafsson (15-1) cemented his status with a win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in late 2012. He is 7-1 in the UFC, with his lone loss coming to Phil Davis.

Mousasi (33-3-2) will be making his Octagon debut vs. the Swede after competing around the world. He is a former Strikeforce champion and DREAM champion, amassing a 20-1-1 record over the past seven years.

Photo credit: MMAFighting.com

Alexander Gustafsson will get the chance to compete in front of his native fans once again, as reports are circulating that Gustafsson will meet Gegard Mousasi in April.

The two light heavyweights would be the main event for UFC on Fuel TV 9, which is expected to take place in Stockholm, Sweden from the Ericcson Globe Arena. MMAViking.com first reported the bout following comments made by Gustafsson.

Gustafsson (15-1) was called the No. 1 contender by UFC president Dana White after defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua this past December, but “The Mauler” said at the time he would not sit on the sidelines and wait for a title shot.

Jon Jones, the current UFC light heavyweight champion, is scheduled to defend his belt in April against Chael Sonnen.

Mousasi, meanwhile, is 33-3-2 and would be making his Octagon debut. The veteran is 20-1-1 since 2006 and unbeaten in his last six fights overall.

Josh Barnett’s decision to stay in his Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine fight with Nandor Guelmino was a good one for his bank account, as “The Warmaster” netted $250,000 for his efforts.

The Oklahoma Athletic Commission released the fighter salaries to MMAjunkie.com on Monday. Barnett’s paycheck topped the list, followed by Gegard Mousasi’s $175,000.

The card featured Tarec Saffiedine defeating Nate Marquardt in the main event to become the last Strikeforce welterweight champion. The promotion has closed the doors, with most of the active roster heading to the UFC.

Below is the complete list of fighter salaries, which do not include any type of bonus money given to the athletes:

Tarec Saffiedine: $39,000 (includes $19,500 win bonus)

Nate Marquardt: $40,000

Daniel Cormier: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus)

Dion Staring: $8,000

Josh Barnett: $250,000 (no win bonus)

Nandor Guelmino: $12,000

Gegard Mousasi: $175,000 (no win bonus)

Mike Kyle: $25,000

Ronaldo Souza: $100,500 (includes $28,000 win bonus)

Ed Herman: $34,000

Ryan Couture: $22,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)

KJ Noons: $41,000

Tim Kennedy: $80,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)

Trevor Smith: $8,000

Pat Healy: $42,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)

Kurt Holobaugh: $9,000

Roger Gracie: $94,000 (includes $47,000 win bonus)

Anthony Smith: $10,000

Adriano Martins: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)

Jorge Gurgel: $10,000

Estevan Payan: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)

Michael Bravo: $6,000

Gegard Mousasi has traveled the world, fighting everywhere from the Dream promotion in Japan to the Netherlands to even Russia.

However, Mousasi has yet to experience the UFC’s Octagon, despite being one of the more decorated fighters of his generation.

Saturday night, Mousasi will face Mike Kyle at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. The event will be the final one for Strikeforce, and the 27-year-old would like nothing more than cement his spot in the UFC with a victory.

“I look forward to going to the UFC, but I know I have a task before me,” said Mousasi, during a recent interview with UFC.com. “I don’t overlook Mike Kyle because I have to get the job done first. Sometimes I do think about how things will look if I fight in the UFC and if I do well in the UFC what kind of things will come, and I’m looking forward to that, but I’m not overlooking Mike Kyle.”

Mousasi (32-3-2) is a former Strikeforce and Dream light heavyweight champion, along with holding the Dream middleweight title. He also claimed grand prix victories while fighting in Japan and is currently on a five-fight unbeaten streak since falling to Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in 2010.

Every fight is a very important fight, and this fight is no different,” Mousasi stated. “I know I’m not far away from title contendership, so I want to win this fight impressively, go to the UFC, and maybe in one-to-three fights I could be a contender. I’m really close.”

The door will close on Strikeforce Saturday evening, as the final event takes place on Showtime. Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine goes down in Oklahoma City.

In the main event, Nate Marquardt will battle Tarec Saffiedine with Marquardt’s Srikeforce welterweight title on the line.

The card also features Daniel Cormier, Josh Barnett, Gegard Mousasi, Ronaldo Souza and UFC fighter Ed Herman.

Weigh-ins took place earlier today, and complete results can be found below:

MAIN CARD (Showtime)

Strikeforce Welterweight Championship
Nate Marquardt (170 lbs.) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (170 lbs.) for Marquardt’s Strikeforce welterweight title

Daniel Cormier (230 lbs.) vs. Dion Staring (240 lbs.)

Josh Barnett (249 lbs.) vs. Nandor Guelmino (229 lbs.)

Gegard Mousasi (205.5 lbs.) vs. Mike Kyle (205 lbs.)

Ronaldo Souza (193 lbs.) vs. Ed Herman (193 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Showtime Extreme)

Pat Healy (156 lbs.) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (156 lbs.)

Roger Gracie (186 lbs.) vs. Anthony Smith (186 lbs.)

Tim Kennedy (186 lbs.) vs. Trevor Smith (186 lbs.)

Ryan Couture (155.5 lbs.) vs. K.J. Noons (156 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Unaired)

Jorge Gurgel (155 lbs.) vs. Adriano Martins (155.5 lbs.)

Estevan Payan (156 lbs.) vs. Michael Bravo (156 lbs.)