Gustafsson outwrestles Blachowicz for decision win at UFC Hamburg

After two heartbreaking losses, Alexander Gustafsson not only regained some confidence, he raised Jan Blachowicz's stock.

Instead of wreaking bodily destruction as expected, Gustafsson relied on the tried and true wrestler's playbook, repeatedly taking Blachowicz down en route to a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 93 on Saturday.

For the near entirety of the light heavyweight tilt, "The Mauler" had to rely on his grappling as opposed to his unorthodox movement and techniques against the Pole, who showed surprising striking prowess in what limited time they spent standing. He may have taken the safe route, but Gustafsson smartly resorted to ground-and-pound for the much-needed victory, his first in over two years.

Before Saturday's fight, the Swede was twice a hair away from becoming a veritable world-beater, giving Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier their fiercest UFC tests in each of his title fights with them. The split decision loss to Cormier came after a pounding at the hands of Anthony Johnson, leaving Gustafsson with more questions than answers concerning his future. While the conservative path to victory over Blachowicz will surely fuel some doubters' fires, it puts "The Mauler" one step closer to his third shot at the division strap.

In a fight only his loved ones predicted he'd win, Blachowicz earned Gustafsson's respect early after landing several hard shots in the opening exchanges. His solid striking prompted "Gus" to adjust on the fly and take the fight to the ground instead.

Had Gustafsson chosen to stand and bang and the MMA gods intervened, Blachowicz could have stolen a victory, but exited the cage with his third loss in four fights. Nonetheless, the striking flashes he displayed against a foe of Gus' clout should earn him some stout competition.

Gustafsson improves to 9-4 in the UFC, ending his streak of losses to Johnson and Cormier.