Gustafsson: Jones won't be able to erase 'cheater stamp'

One of Jon Jones' toughest competitors says things have changed for the former light heavyweight champ.

Alexander Gustafsson, who gave Jones the greatest test of his career at UFC 165, believes the stigma around "Bones" following his positive doping test will be too much to shake.

"Obviously, I think that if it's proven that he has been cheating, he should definitely be suspended," Gustafsson told Jim Edward of FloCombat. "The sad thing for me is that if he does have to sit out two years, then I'm not sure if he will ever be able to come back.

"Even if he does come back, he will never be able to erase the 'cheater stamp.' Once you are caught, you can never wash that away."

Gustafsson lost to Jones in their only fight, a decision the Swedish fighter objects to. Despite his nearly impeccable in-ring record, he doesn't see Jones as the greatest of all time, especially after his test result, and wants another shot.

"I think he is one of the best fighters in the world, but greatest of all time? No, not for me. There have been, and still are, so many good fighters, and I think Jones still has more to prove, especially now after what has happened," he said. "Whether he was juicing or not when we fought, it doesn't matter. I believe I won that fight, and if we meet again, I know I will beat him again."

Gustafsson's next fight will take place at UFC Fight Night 93 in Hamburg, Germany, on Sept. 3 against Jan Blachowicz.