Alexander Gustafsson Next Fight: 'The Mauler' Answers Rashad Evans' Challenge 'Absolutely' [VIDEO]

After his bout with Anthony Johnson fell through, former top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson is still without an opponent for when he returns from injury early next year, but the Swede has no plans of remaining inactive while he waits for a title shot.

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"Well, the [Anthony] Johnson fight didn't go as planned," Gustafsson said at a fan question-and-answer session in Stockholm, Sweden according to MMAFighting.com. "I really wanted that fight. Of course, I want that belt, that's my goal, but I won't stay and wait for that. I want to stay active, so I hope to get a fight before this year has ended or early next year."

Rashad Evans, who hasn't fought since November while recovering from injury, said he is close to 100 percent and hopes to face Gustafsson when he returns to the UFC.

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"I've been very impressed with how his development has gone," Evans said last Saturday. "I would definitely like to fight him when I return. Definitely. When I left, I was at the top and Alexander Gustafsson has been getting better with every single fight. Dana (White), set it up."

Gustafsson welcomed the possibility of facing the former light heavyweight champion on Friday.

"Absolutely," he said when asked if he was interested in facing Evans next. "I want to fight Rashad, too."

Gustafsson was originally supposed to face Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title on Sept. 27 at UFC 178 but a torn meniscus forced him to withdraw from the fight. He was replaced by Daniel Cormier, but Jones then suffered a knee injury and their fight was rescheduled to Jan. 3.

Initially upset at the UFC's decision not to reinsert him into the title bout, Gustafsson threatened to sit out and await the winner but changed his mind after getting called out by Johnson. The fight was all but finalized until reports surfaced that Johnson was allegedly involved in multiple domestic violence incidents in his past and the UFC immediately suspended him indefinitely.