Gegard Mousasi Talks About Fedor Emelianenko

by Kid Nate on Oct 28, 2009 7:46 PM EDT in News Comment 44 comments

Photo by Esther Lin via All Elbows

Heavy.com gets the quote:

"Standing next to Fedor, I feel so much bigger than him," Mousasi said. "When you train with him, he feels like a middleweight. He's as strong as a heavyweight but as fast as a middleweight, so I think that makes him special. If I can take my speed as a middleweight, have that explosiveness and mobility and move up to heavyweight, I think that's something a lot of them don't have."
...
He doesn't intend to move up into the heavyweight division as long as Emelianenko is still fighting at a top level. "We won't fight each other," he explains. "I am still a light heavyweight and he is the best heavyweight. It wouldn't make any sense."

For now he is content, both at 205 pounds (where he is the Strikeforce champion) and in Strikeforce. Mousasi made some waves earlier this year and discussed his desire to fight in the UFC. Today, he dismisses the controversy out of hand. "I am happy with M-1, Strikeforce and CBS, it doesn't matter who I fight," he said, diplomatically diffusing any remaining tension and focusing on the test at hand, a November 7th fight against a dangerous Ramaeu Sokoudjou on CBS.

Mousasi is the hottest prospect that the UFC doesn't have under contract. Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal is a close second but needs a great deal more seasoning to be ready for the bigs. Mousasi is someone many believe could walk into the UFC's murderous 205 lb class and immediately contend for the belt.

M-1 Global may only have a few fighters under contract, but between having the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings #1 heavyweight in the world in Fedor Emelianenko and the fastest rising star at light heavyweight, they are a force to be reckoned with.

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Top 10 p4p. Would he be the first guy to win a title at 185, 205, and Heavyweight? Not all in the UFC, obviously, but I’m talking about in general.

Twitter: @FlyByKnite

by FlyByKnight on Oct 28, 2009 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure someone’s done that.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Oct 29, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

3rd?

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/10/27/1103641/karls-amousssou-signs-with-dream

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 28, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Karl Amoussou (11-2)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 28, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jumping the gun a bit there, aren’t you? Compared Amoussou to Gegard and Fedor?

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Oct 28, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s just saying Amoussou might be the third top fighter under contract with M-1. And you re right, that means M-1 “only” has Fedor and Mousasi.

by bawzz on Oct 28, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Those are M-1’s top three fighters/prospects. In response to:

M-1 Global may only have a few fighters under contract, but between having the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings #1 heavyweight in the world in Fedor Emelianenko and the fastest rising star at light heavyweight, they are a force to be reckoned with.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 28, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that's in response to that, then

Vadim likes candied plums is in response to you.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Oct 28, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Gegard Mousasi is an amazing fighter

I think he has gone to decision twice? On a given day i think he could beat any UFC light heavy. I would love to see him fight Anderson Silva

by Crookswood on Oct 28, 2009 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

"He's so hot right now!"

Dana rates Mousasi a “7” on a 1-5 scale of desirability—11:42:

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/08/ufc_102_an_interview_with_dana.html

by casey manrique on Oct 28, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who says Dana shits on every fighter not in his ranks?

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Oct 28, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to post this.

Mousasi said recently that he eventually wants to become the UFC LHW Champ, but he is content with Strikeforce now. He said that was his eventual goal though.

by ChiCubs23 on Oct 28, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

M-1 Global may only have a few fighters under contract, but between having the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings #1 heavyweight in the world in Fedor Emelianenko and the fastest rising star at light heavyweight, they are a ~~force~~ nuisance to be reckoned with.

fixed

by ufc4 on Oct 28, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

You Will Love This Statement

"I am extremely grateful to the UFC, to Strikeforce, and to M-1 Global for what they have done to grow mixed martial arts in America and the world over during the past ten years," said Englebrecht. "I just felt that if the sport of MMA was to really become mainstream and greatly enlarge its footprint to consumers, sponsors, and regulatory bodies that a minor league system needed to be established. Over the past three years, young MMA fighters just didn’t have the proper stage to perform on, and that club promoters had great difficulty in making it a viable business.

http://promma.info/index.php/2009/10/28/roy-englebrecht-announces-creation-of-new-pro-mixed-martial-arts-league-pmmal/

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 28, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just threw up in my mouth a little. UFC? Yes. Strikeforce? Yes. M-1 Global? Not so much. Affliction did more for the sport in their 1 year of business than M-1 will in their entire existance.

by ufc4 on Oct 28, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

You’re very one sided, and obviously haven’t seen many M-1 fights. They hosted thousands of fights, and are extremely popular in Russia and eastern Europe. It’s pretty much the UFC of that large region. Over there, it’s a pretty big thing, here, not so much.

by ontite on Oct 29, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Fedor’s own people have said he is unknown in his own country, I guess they have a long long way to go before they are the UFC of Russia.

by who me on Oct 29, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fedor and M-1 are trying to get MMA more recognized in Russia. His fight against Fedor will mostlikely be televised on national tv overthere. It was going to broadcast for the Barnett fight.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 29, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bravo Sierra

While I cannot speak for Russia, although I highly doubt M-1 is big there given the media situation in that country, M-1 is DEFINATELY not big in eastern Europe. Sorry.

'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko

by Well Read Idiot on Oct 29, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they are so big over there why do they have to steal all of Fedor’s money?

by ufc4 on Oct 29, 2009 9:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

If they are pretty much the UFC of that region, why does Fedor keep signing with other orgs?

If they’re that big, they should have been able to sign Sylvia, AA, and Barnett to fight Fedor on their own. Why use Affliction and Strikeforce to get the matchups done?

That’s the key to the whole problem. If they were as big as they claim they are, they wouldn’t need to work well with others.

by Phildo on Oct 29, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’ve got to be kidding me with this logo.

Don’t we want MMA to stop being known as the sport of beating on the cowering and defenseless?

by JRN on Oct 28, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko

by Well Read Idiot on Oct 29, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true. But it's the most distinctive logo that would ID MMA - If they showed, say, a fighter with his hands and one leg up, it would look like kickboxing.

by Cunny on Oct 29, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Surely they could have depicted a submission hold.

by JRN on Oct 29, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. Preferably not an RNC.

by Cunny on Nov 3, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mousasi is a great fighter and really seems to have a good head on his shoulders when it comes to giving quotes and doing all the parts of the job that don’t involve fighting.

Dana says he’s a 7 in public, but I bet he wants him badly, especially because signing him would deal a big blow to m1 and strikeforce.

by Phildo on Oct 28, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He said 7, but the scale was 1-5. So I think you’re right.

by superap on Oct 28, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

5X=10
5X/5=10/5
X=2
7*2=14
Mousasi=14

by casey manrique on Oct 28, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure that is a big part of it but Dana also has an eye for future stars and Mousasi is only 24 years old and getting better every fight.

by who me on Oct 28, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mousasi is only 24 years old and getting better every fight.

This.
It’s amazing how seasoned this kid is at such a young age, it’s going to be fun watching him continue to improve over the next 10 years or so (or at least over the next 5).

by Estrada on Oct 28, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by ufc4 on Oct 28, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a really interesting fight. Two years ago, Sokoudjou WAS Mousasi. He was the young, explosive, can’t miss prospect. He’s really a great cautionary tale for young fighters, especially ones who succeed so early. Think you don’t have to learn anything new? Want to be a Sokoudjou?

He’s only 25 though. Can we afford to write him off?

by JonathanSnowden on Oct 28, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

No

But he really shouldn’t be fighting guys like Mousasi right now, he should be fighting guys lower on the totem pole that he can improve his game against instead of being dominated and losing in the first round. But I’m sure the money and big stage that SF offered was very hard to resist.

by ufc4 on Oct 28, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except he had about 20 less wins ;-)

by brad23 on Oct 28, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is true. But two more against top ten competition. ;)

Just the feel is the same. Both were being held up as potential future champions. I think Mousasi will prove better able to stand up to that scrutiny.

by JonathanSnowden on Oct 28, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gegard Mousasi has had 29 fights, even now Sokoudjou has only had 11 (two years ago he only had 6). Mousasi already has more seasoning than a lot of the guys currently making waves in the UFC, I think sometimes we forget that he’s been around since 2002 because of how young he is.

by who me on Oct 28, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

“they are a force to be reckoned with”

Maybe you want to rethink that statement. They have 2 very talented fighters signed to their “promotional group” that does nothing other than latch onto a real promotion and take an unearned portion of the profits.

by mjw2e on Oct 28, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yea Affliction had all sorts of very talented fighters signed to their roster and they were far from ever being a force to be reckoned with. There is more that goes into it than just having a couple of guys signed.

by who me on Oct 29, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs