Many were surprised when UFC president Dana White announced that Alexander Gustafsson will face newly-crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier later this year. But the Swedish MMA is optimistic and ready to prove he's back after he revealed that he almost walked away from the octagon a few months back.

The fighter, also known as "The Mauler," admitted that he nearly quit the sport after his devastating loss against Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at the UFC on FOX 14 event in April. Johnson defeated Gustafsson with a knock out on the first round of the match.

"It was really bad. I lost fights before, but this was the fight I couldn't lose," the Swedish fighter told MMA Junkie. "I was supposed to win this fight, but I didn't. I was thinking about that, to quit the sport. I was really depressed after the fight."

His loss to Johnson took away his motivation and it became difficult for him to train and prepare for other fights. At that time, Gustafsson wanted to be away from the public and not be hounded by the media.

But as his life went on a downward turn, the 28-year-old fighter began to see the people who sincerely cared about him and this pushed him to get back on track.

It also helped that he will be given a shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight belt sometime this year.

Gustafsson was chosen to fight Cormier instead of No. 3 contender Ryan Bader who had been very vocal in expressing his desire to have a chance to go against the new champion.

Many expected Bader to be lined up against the new champion after he almost figured in an altercation with Cormier. The fighter, also called "Darth," rushed towards the champion during the post-fight conference of UFC 187, wrote MMA Mania. DC called out Bader for being "disrespectful" and called him one of the "easiest" fighters in the division.

But with Bader out of the running and Gustafsson next in line, the Swedish is grateful and enjoying the title chance.

"I just see this as a second chance, as an opportunity for me," said the fighter. "I won't even go into why it happened or why I should fight him. I'm just enjoying my time."

The Swedish mixed martial artist promised to make the most out of the second chance he had been given.

"I will do the best that I can and show everybody that I can be the best guy in the world," he added.

UFC has yet to announce when the fight between Gustafsson and Cormier will happen.