- Gegard Mousasi
-
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event.Born Geghard Movsesian
August 1, 1985
Tehran, IranOther names The Dreamcatcher Nationality Dutch Armenian Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Weight 93 kg (205.0 lb; 14.6 st) Division Light Heavyweight (205 lb) (2009–present)
Heavyweight (265 lb) (2008–present)
Middleweight (185 lb) (2003–2008)Reach 76 in (193 cm)[1] Style Boxing, Kickboxing, Judo Fighting out of Leiden, Netherlands Team Red Devil Sport Club
Team Jurojin
Golden Glory
Hayastan Studio
Main Event Gym
Glendale Fight ClubRank Black belt in Judo Years active 2003–present Kickboxing record Total 8 Wins 8 By knockout 3 Losses 0 Mixed martial arts record Total 36 Wins 31 By knockout 18 By submission 10 By decision 3 Losses 3 By knockout 0 By submission 2 By decision 1 Draws 2 Amateur boxing record Total 13 Wins 12 By knockout 12 Losses 1 Other information Notable relatives Gewik Mousasi (brother) Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog Gegard Mousasi, born Geghard Movsesian (Armenian: Գեղարդ Մովսեսյան, August 1, 1985 - ) is an Armenian-Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is fighting out of Team Jurojin in Leiden, Netherlands and is a member of Russian Red Devil Sport Club and Netherlands' Golden Glory. He is the current Dream Light Heavyweight champion, former Dream Middleweight Champion, Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion and the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. His last loss was to Muhammed Lawal at Strikeforce: Nashville. Mousasi is currently ranked as the #8 light heavyweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.[2]
In February 2010, Mousasi left M-1 Global Management. Mousasi was quoted as saying "After careful consideration, I have decided that it is in my best interest to part ways with M-1 Global," Mousasi wrote in the e-mail. "During the time I spent under their wing, M-1 Global, as a promoter and management company, allowed me to achieve many great things. I appreciate all they have done for me. My management is being taken care of by someone close to me."[3]
Contents
MMA career
Early life and career
Mousasi was born in Tehran,[4] Iran to ethnic Armenian parents during the Iran-Iraq War. At the age of 4,[5] Mousasi and his family relocated to Leiden, Netherlands, where he finished grade school before developing an interest in martial arts.[6]
He started practicing Judo[7] at the age of 8[4] and later boxing at age 15; twelve months later he became the amateur boxing champion of the Netherlands with a 12-1 record, earning 12 knockouts. He then switched to kickboxing and then eventually to mixed martial arts.[6]
Pride FC Welterweight Grand Prix
In 2006 Mousasi signed with Pride FC to take part in Pride's Welterweight Grand Prix. In the opening round Mousasi faced Makoto Takimoto, at Pride Bushido 11, beating the Japanese fighter by TKO (broken eye socket) in the 1st round. In the quarter-finals Mousasi went on to face Akihiro Gono, in a losing effort, being defeated late on the 2nd round by submission (Armbar). After losing to Gono, Mousasi was scheduled to face Hector Lombard in the Grand Prix Alternate bout, Mousasi took a unanimous decision victory over the Cuban fighter.
Dream Middleweight Grand Prix
In the first round of the Dream's 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix at Dream 2, he defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Denis Kang by triangle choke. In the second round of the tournament, at Dream 4, he won a decision victory over Dong Sik Yoon and advanced to the final round which took place at Dream 6.[8] There he fought and submitted K-1 veteran Melvin Manhoef in the semi-finals before meeting up with submission specialist Ronaldo Souza in the final. Mousasi defeated Souza by an upkick after being taken down by the Brazilian, thus becoming the first Dream Middleweight Champion and 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix tournament winner.
ADCC Championships
In November 21, 2008, ADCC Europe president Marko Leistén confirmed the signing of Mousasi has one of 2009's ADCC championships. it was rumored he would fight in the under 88KG. For unknown reasons Mousasi never participated in the ADCC 2009 championships.
K-1 Dynamite!! 2008
In somewhat of a surprise to the MMA world, Mousasi agreed to take on Japanese K-1 fighter Musashi in a K-1 rules fight at Dynamite!! 2008. Being an open weight fight Mousasi weighed in at 97.8 kg/216 lb, all but confirming his desire to move up in weight classes. Mousasi stated after winning the Dream Middleweight Grand Prix he would no longer fight at middleweight due to the large weight cut. Mousasi was the rank outsider to win the match against the more experienced Musashi, but came out fast and scored a first round KO. Mousasi went undefeated in 2008, going 6–0 in MMA, and 1–0 in K-1.
M-1 Global
Gegard Mousasi next made an appearance at M-1 Global's Breakthrough event at August 28, 2009, where he sparred former Pride Heavyweight and current WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko in an exhibition match, where Mousasi was defeated with a straight Armbar.
Dream Super Hulk Grand Prix
In interviews from early 2009, Mousasi stated the weight he put on after winning Dream's middleweight tournament was too much for him to cut back down to middleweight and that his next fights would be at light-heavyweight and eventually heavyweight instead.[9][10]
Then he signed for a place at Dream's openweight Grand Prix, the Super Hulk Grand Prix, being schedule to face Mark Hunt in the opening round. Mousasi submitted Hunt in the first round of the Super Hulk Grand Prix at Dream 9. Mousasi was then expected to face Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou but he had to step down due to injury.
Affliction
Mousasi was set to fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral at Affliction: Trilogy on August 1, 2009, but the event was cancelled after losing its main event 10 days prior to the event.[11] It was originally planned for him to face Vitor Belfort at that event, but there was a disagreement between both fighters over which weight class the fight would be fought at.[12]
Strikeforce and Dream
On Monday July 27, 2009 it was announced that the cancelled bout between Sobral and Mousasi would take place on the August 15 Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg card and the fight became a contest for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight championship. Mousasi defeated Sobral via KO in the first round to become the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion.
Mousasi would go on to win his second Strikeforce bout by TKO (strikes), three minutes and forty-three seconds into the 2nd round against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou on November 7, 2009 at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.[13]
Mousasi quickly defeated journeyman Gary Goodridge under MMA rules at Dynamite!! 2009.[14]
On April 17, 2010, Mousasi lost the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship belt in his first defense to Muhammed Lawal by way of unanimous judge's decision.
Mousasi was expected to face Mike Kyle on April 9, 2011 at Strikeforce 33. However, Kyle was forced off the card with an injury and was replaced by Keith Jardine.[15] The fight resulted in a Draw (majority), mainly due to an illegal upkick which cost Mousasi a point in the first round; even though Mousasi outstruck Jardine 146 to 21 according to FightMetric. After the fight in an interview with Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated “I’ve got a lot of respect for Keith Jardine, but I think Gegard won the fight.”[16] In the same interview Coker also stated that a rematch between Mousasi and Jardine was definitely a possibility for the future.
Mousasi is currently scheduled to return to Strikeforce to face Ovince St. Preux on December 17, 2011 at Strikeforce 37.[17]
Dream Light Heavyweight Grand Prix
The 1st round took place at Dream 15, where Mousasi faced Jake O'Brien, who came overweight to their bout. Dream officials made it a catchweight fight, but allowed the fight to be part of the tournament. Mousasi won the fight early in the 1st round by submission via guillotine choke. In the final Mousasi faced Tatsuya Mizuno, Mousasi dominated the whole fight and finished the Japanese fighter in the 1st round by submission via rear naked choke.
K-1 Dynamite!! 2010
After a lot of speculation about Mousasi's opponent for 2010 New Year's Eve, Mousasi was set to face Kyotaro, the K-1 heavyweight champion, in a K-1 rules bout. The Armenian brought the fight to Kyotaro and in the second round Mousasi knocked the Japanese fighter down, almost finishing him. Mousasi then won a unanimous decision victory from the judges.
2012 Summer Olympics
It was revealed on January 31, 2011 that Mousasi was considering trying out for the 2012 Summer Olympics at the category of boxing. Mousasi will try to qualify himself through Netherlands qualifiers.[18] His management said that it would make him a better fighter. Mousasi is already known in amateur boxing, being a former Netherlands amateur boxing champion.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Strikeforce
- Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Dream
- DREAM Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; First; Current)
- DREAM Middleweight Championship (One time; First)
- 2010 DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion
- 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Champion
- First combatant to win DREAM championships in multiple weight classes
- First combatant to win DREAM Grand Prix in multiple weight classes
- Cage Warriors Fighting Championship
- Cage Warriors Middleweight Championship (One time)
- World MMA Awards
- 2009 European Fighter of the Year
Amateur Boxing
- Nederlandse Boks Bond
- Netherlands Amateur Boxing National Championship (2001)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 36 matches 31 wins 3 losses By knockout 18 0 By submission 10 2 By decision 3 1 Draws 2 Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Ovince St. Preux Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 San Diego, California, United States Win 31–3–2 Hiroshi Izumi TKO (punches) Dream: Japan GP Final July 16, 2011 1 3:29 Tokyo, Japan Defended Dream Light Heavyweight Championship Draw 30–3–2 Keith Jardine Draw (majority) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley April 9, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States Mousasi got deducted 1 point due to an illegal upkick. Win 30–3–1 Tatsuya Mizuno Submission (rear naked choke) Dream 16 September 25, 2010 1 6:10 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Dream Light Heavyweight GP Final; Won Dream Light Heavyweight Championship Win 29–3–1 Jake O'Brien Submission (guillotine choke) Dream 15 July 10, 2010 1 0:31 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Dream Light Heavyweight GP Semifinal; 212 lb catchweight due to O'Brien missing weight. Loss 28–3–1 Muhammed Lawal Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Nashville April 17, 2010 5 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Lost Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship Win 28–2–1 Gary Goodridge TKO (punches) Dynamite!! 2009 December 31, 2009 1 1:34 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Heavyweight bout. Win 27–2–1 Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers November 7, 2009 2 3:43 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Non-title bout. Win 26–2–1 Renato Sobral KO (punches) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg August 15, 2009 1 1:00 San Jose, California, United States Won Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship Win 25–2–1 Mark Hunt Submission (straight armbar) Dream 9 May 26, 2009 1 1:19 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Dream Super Hulk Grand Prix Quarterfinal Win 24–2–1 Ronaldo Souza KO (upkick) Dream 6 September 23, 2008 1 2:15 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Final; Won Dream Middleweight Championship Win 23–2–1 Melvin Manhoef Submission (triangle choke) Dream 6 September 23, 2008 1 1:28 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal Win 22–2–1 Dong Sik Yoon Decision (unanimous) Dream 4 June 15, 2008 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal Win 21–2–1 Denis Kang Submission (triangle choke) Dream 2 April 29, 2008 1 3:10 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round Win 20–2–1 Steve Mensing TKO (punches) M-1: Slamm March 2, 2008 1 2:44 Netherlands Win 19–2–1 Evangelista Santos TKO (punches) HCF: Destiny February 1, 2008 1 3:42 Calgary, Alberta, Canada 194 lb Catchweight Win 18–2–1 Damir Mirenic TKO (punches) HCF: Title Wave October 19, 2007 1 4:46 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win 17–2–1 Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) Bodog Fight August 25, 2007 1 4:56 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win 16–2–1 Alexander Kokoev Decision (unanimous) M-1 Battle on the Neva July 21, 2007 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Win 15–2–1 Gregory Bouchelaghem Submission (punches) CWFC: Enter The Rough House December 9, 2006 1 2:20 Nottingham, England Won Cage Warriors Middleweight Championship Win 14–2–1 Hector Lombard Decision (unanimous) Pride Bushido 13 November 5, 2006 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Pride 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Alternate Bout Loss 13–2–1 Akihiro Gono Submission (armbar) Pride Bushido 12 August 26, 2006 2 4:24 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Pride 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal Win 13–1–1 Makoto Takimoto TKO (broken eye socket) Pride Bushido 11 June 4, 2006 1 5:34 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Pride 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round; Takimoto suffered a broken orbital bone. Win 12–1–1 Hidetada Irie TKO (corner stoppage) Deep 24 Impact April 11, 2006 2 1:29 Tokyo, Japan Win 11–1–1 Sanjin Kadunc TKO (punches) Future Battle March 5, 2006 1 0:35 Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands Win 10–1–1 Andre Fyeet TKO (punches) 2H2H: Mixed Fight December 17, 2005 1 0:40 Netherlands Win 9–1–1 Tsuyoshi Kurihara KO (knee) Deep 22 Impact December 2, 2005 1 0:10 Tokyo, Japan Win 8–1–1 Stefan Klever TKO (punches) Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble October 9, 2005 1 3:39 Rotterdam, Netherlands Win 7–1–1 Chico Martinez Submission (rear naked choke) JE: Holland vs Russia April 24, 2005 1 4:39 Netherlands Win 6–1–1 John Donnelly Submission (armbar) Rings: Bushido Ireland March 12, 2005 1 1:02 Ireland Loss 5–1–1 Petras Markevičius Submission (armbar) Fight Festival 13 February 28, 2005 2 1:49 Helsinki, Finland Win 5–0–1 Erik Oganov Submission (rear naked choke) M-1: International Fight Night February 5, 2005 1 2:16 Saint Petersburg, Russia Win 4–0–1 Rody Trost TKO (punches) IMA: Mix Fight December 19, 2004 1 3:18 Landsmeer, Holland Win 3–0–1 Niko Puhakka Submission (rear naked choke) Fight Festival 11 September 11, 2004 2 2:17 Helsinki, Finland Draw 2–0–1 Gilson Ferreira Draw Together Productions: Fight Gala November 15, 2003 2 5:00 Zaandam, Netherlands Win 2–0 Xander Nel TKO (punches) IMA: Mixfight Gala October 12, 2003 1 1:05 Badhoevedorp, Netherlands Win 1–0 Daniel Spek TKO (punches) 2H2H: 1st Open Team Mixfight Championships April 27, 2003 1 3:40 Amsterdam, Netherlands Kickboxing record
Gegard Mousasi kickboxing record 5 wins (3 (T)KO's)Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
See also
- List of current mixed martial arts champions
References
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi". Fighters. United States: MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/gegard/mousasi/786/. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- ^ "Light Heavyweight MMA Top 10". MMAWeekly.com. July 06, 2011. http://mmaweekly.com/light-heavyweight-division-205-pound-limit-mma-top-10. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ Loretta Hunt. "Mousasi Leaves M-1 Global". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mousasi-Leaves-M-1-Global-22601.html.
- ^ a b Interview with MMA Mail Magazine at Seni 2010 in London http://mmamail.com 2010-05-30
- ^ "About Gegard". http://www.mousasi.com/about/. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
- ^ a b Leidecker, Tim. "Europe's Best-Kept Secret". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/europes-best-kept-secret-10092. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
- ^ "Exclusive: Gegard Mousasi". M1mixfight.com. 2008-09-19. http://m1mixfight.com/info/interviews/2008/9/19/gegard-mousasi-exclusive/. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Fight Finder - Dream 4 - Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Quarterfinals". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/events/Dream-4-Middleweight-Grand-Prix-2008-Quarterfinals-6647. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ "Gegard Moussasi Plans to Move Up from Middleweight". MMAUniverse.com. 2009-01-20. http://www.mmauniverse.com/news/SS3913. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ Hunt, Loretta (2009-02-14). "Middleweight Mousasi To Take Heavyweight Leap". Sherdog.com. http://sherdog.com/news/articles/middleweight-mousasi-to-take-heavyweight-leap-16215. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 2009-07-24. http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news/mma/4043/affliction_releases_official_statement_on_cancellation. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Stupp, Dann. "Mousasi refuses Affliction III middleweight bout, challenges Belfort to catch-weight". MMAjunkie.com. http://mmajunkie.com/news/15001/mousasi-refuses-affliction-iii-middleweight-bout-challanges-belfort-to-catch-weight.mma. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou completes Strikeforce's Nov. 7 CBS lineup". mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-09. http://mmajunkie.com/news/16435/gegard-mousasi-vs-rameau-thierry-sokoudjou-completes-strikeforces-nov-7-cbs-lineup.mma. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi Respectfully Dispatches Gary Goodridge". headkicklegend.com. http://www.headkicklegend.com/2009/12/31/1227917/gegard-mousasi-respectfully. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
- ^ "Jardine replaces injured Kyle, faces Mousasi at "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley"". mmajunkie.com. http://mmajunkie.com/news/23087/jardine-replaces-injured-kyle-faces-mousasi-at-strikeforce-diaz-vs-daley.mma. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
- ^ http://www.fighters.com/04/11/strikeforce-ceo-scott-coker-mousasi-vs-jardine-ii-likely
- ^ "Ovince St. Preux vs. ex-champ Gegard Mousasi booked for Dec. 17 Strikeforce event". mmajunkie.com. 2011-09-20. http://mmajunkie.com/news/25320/ovince-st-preux-vs-ex-champ-gegard-mousasi-booked-for-dec-17-strikeforce-event.mma.
- ^ http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/sport/news/60518/Geghard_Movsisian_launches_qualification_process_to_join_Hollands_Olympic_team
External links
- Gegard Mousasi Official Web Site
- Profile at K-1
- HyeFighters - Armenian Combat Sports Athletes
- Dream profile
- Luta Gegard Mousasi
- Professional MMA record for Gegard Mousasi from Sherdog
- Biography of Gegard Mousasi
Heavyweight VacantLight Heavyweight Middleweight VacantWelterweight Lightweight Featherweight New championship 1st Dream Middleweight Champion
September 23, 2008 - May 26, 2009Vacant Mousasi move to light heavyweightTitle next held byIncumbentNew championship 1st Dream Light Heavyweight Champion
September 25, 2010 - PresentCurrent holder Preceded by
Renato Sobral3rd Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
August 15, 2009 - April 17, 2010Succeeded by
Muhammed LawalCategories:- Armenian mixed martial artists
- Dutch mixed martial artists
- Middleweight mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Dream champions
- Strikeforce champions
- Armenian judoka
- Dutch judoka
- Armenian kickboxers
- Dutch kickboxers
- Heavyweight kickboxers
- Armenian Muay Thai practitioners
- Dutch Muay Thai practitioners
- Dutch Armenians
- Iranian Armenian people
- People from Leiden
- People from Tehran
- Living people
- 1985 births
- Strikeforce
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