Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson has been watching fellow 205-pound slugger Anthony Johnson get his groove back, following "Rumble's" return to the Octagon earlier this year.

And he doesn't sound too impressed.

"The Mauler" is hoping to get a crack at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier, who battle for "Bones" belt at UFC 182, but isn't convinced that Johnson should be in the conversation just yet, according to comments he made to Sweden's Expressen:

"I have fought both worse and better opponents. Had that (Johnson) fight taken me somewhere, I would have been the first to accept. Since his return to the UFC after being kicked out, he has beaten Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, who passed his expiration date a long time ago, and Phil Davis. He needs at least a couple wins more. We are not in the playground anymore, it's not about who is the toughest, it's about my career. I want to have a long and successful career. You have to think tactically and you can't just go in and swing against the first best opponent."

He may not have a choice.

Gustafsson was injured last July and forced to withdraw from his UFC 178 title fight against Jon Jones. Unfortunately, "Bones" was also injured while preparing for late-replacement Daniel Cormier, and their grudge match was postponed until January.

With several months between now and a potential title fight, the UFC brass have been encouraging Gustafsson to take another fight and according to UFC President Dana White, fighting Johnson "makes sense."

Anyone disagree?