Swedish UFC star Alex Gustafsson says Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic could have cut in MMA
The former Sweden striker wanted to be an MMA fighter growing up but his dad told him to study law
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC could have cut it in the UFC according to Swedish light-heavyweight mate Alex Gustafsson.
The Man United star and MMA fan was called out by British UFC fighter Danny Roberts last year after the 6ft welterweight heard about the Swede’s taekwondo skills.
And the injured striker revealed in 2015 that while his father wanted him to be a lawyer growing up, he fancied a fight career in the octagon.
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And Gustafsson – who fights Glover Teixeira on Sunday – says the 35-year-old’s Premier League success came as no shock to him as he remains a warrior.
The 30-year-old Mauler said: “I am not surprised, he is one of the best football players in the world and he just shows what he is capable of at Manchester United.
“He is a strong guy and he is a fighter too.
Could he have been a UFC fighter? Who knows, maybe.
“He is a footballer and that is what he does best but he is strong guy, he is tall and he is a fighter on the field, so perhaps yes.”
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The Friends Arena where Zlatan & Co collected the Europa League title on Wednesday night is just a 17-minute drive from The Ericsson Globe where Gustafsson fights this weekend.
But he hasn’t been asked for an octagon-side ticket for the A-lister but he would appreciate his backing.
The MMA star said: “I haven’t spoken to him at all. I don’t know if he is coming to the fight but I hope he does it gives his support.”