White: Gustafsson Could Fight Machida Next If Henderson Isn’t Ready

UFC light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson

Gustafsson vs. Machida Possible

Perhaps a title fight with Jon Jones  isn't in the cards for Alexander Gustaffson just yet.

Last week UFC head honcho Dana White stated that the number one contender for the light-heavyweight title would be determined in the match-up between Alexander Gustafsson and Shogun Rua at UFC On Fox 5.

Well, the fight has passed and Gustaffson picked up a decisive victory over the Brazilian thus becoming the new number one contender, right?

Not so fast. In an interview with MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani, White stated that perhaps the Sweedish Gustaffson could be up for another battle, just not against the champ.

"If I was him, I'd want to get another fight in before taking on Jon Jones. He could fight again. I'm hearing Dan Henderson's knee isn't better, so maybe Gustafsson should fight Machida next."

Gustaffson didn't seem to mind either way what was chosen next for him as he stated in the post-fight press conference.

 "I want to stay active, and I want to fight. I'll fight whenever. I was away for a long time. The last time I fought was in April, and that was too long. To wait till summer again, that would be too long. I want to fight for the belt, and if they give me one before that, it doesn't matter. I'll fight whoever the UFC gives me."

Upon hearing of "The Mauler" possibly replacing him at UFC 157, Dan Henderson offered his thoughts via twitter.

Not sure where @danawhite thinks he's hearing that my knee isn't doing ok. It's doing great. Slowly (cont) tl.gd/k9jl15

— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) December 9, 2012

With all the confusion of injuries and future title shots  it may be a bit premature to predict who Gustafsson fights next, especially when you consider that White has stated in the past that Machida and Henderson were the next to fight Jones.

For now the world will have to wait for the light-heavyweight landscape to play out with Machida scheduled to face Henderson and Jones set to battle Chael Sonnen following their stint as coaches on the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter".

Check out all the UFC 157 news here