Alexander Gustafsson is coming out of retirement for a bout on UFC's Fight Island. Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Gustafsson unretires, will face Fabricio Werdum at heavyweight on Fight Island

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/5/20

Alexander Gustafsson is back in the UFC, and he's making a move from light heavyweight to heavyweight to compete on Fight Island in July.

On Friday, Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie confirmed that Gustafsson will battle Fabricio Werdum in a heavyweight bout scheduled for July 25 at the UFC Fight Island complex. UFC boss Dana White has told TMZ that Fight Island will host its first show on July 11.

Gustafsson retired from mixed martial arts with an 18-6 professional record in June 2019 after he suffered a submission loss to Anthony Smith in a fight that occurred in Gustafsson's home country of Sweden.

"The show is over," he said to the audience before dropping his gloves to the canvas at the age of 32. Gustafsson turned 33 years old in January.

Between 2013 and 2018, Gustafsson failed to capture the light heavyweight championship on three occasions. Current champion Jon Jones defeated him in 2013 and near the end of 2018. Daniel Cormier retained via split decision versus Gustafsson in Oct. 2015.

Werdum, meanwhile, will have a quick turnaround from his last contest. He lost to Aleksei Oleinik via split decision at the UFC 249 show that occurred in Jacksonville on May 9.

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