Gegard Mousasi

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Gegard Mousasi

Gegard Mousasi in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event.
Born Geghard Movsesian
August 1, 1985 (1985-08-01) (age 26)
Tehran, Iran
Other names The Dreamcatcher
The Armenian Assassin
Nationality Armenian
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 93 kg (205.0 lb; 14.6 st)
Division Heavyweight (265 lb) (2008-present)
Light Heavyweight (205 lb) (2009–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 Club
Rank Black belt in Judo
Years active 2003–present
Kickboxing record
Total 8
Wins 8
By knockout 3
Mixed martial arts record
Total 37
Wins 32
By knockout 18
By submission 10
By decision 4
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

Geghard Movsesian (Armenian: Գեղարդ Մովսեսյան, August 1, 1985 - ), better known as Gegard Mousasi, is an Armenian 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

[edit] MMA career

[edit] 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]

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] ADCC Championships

In November 21, 2008, ADCC Europe president Marko Leistén confirmed the signing of Mousasi as 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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]

[edit] 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 returned to Strikeforce to face Ovince St. Preux on December 17, 2011 at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal.[17] . He won the fight via unanimous decision, showing improved takedown defense and wrestling.

Mousasi is expected to face Mike Kyle at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey.[18]

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.[19] 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.

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

[edit] Mixed martial arts

  • World MMA Awards
    • 2009 European Fighter of the Year
  • Inside MMA
    • 2008 Biggest Breakthrough Bazzie Award

[edit] Amateur Boxing

  • Nederlandse Boks Bond
    • Netherlands Amateur Boxing National Championship (2001)

[edit] Mixed martial arts record

Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 32–3–2 Haiti Ovince St. Preux Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal 02011-12-17 December 17, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 31–3–2 Japan Hiroshi Izumi TKO (punches) Dream: Japan GP Final 02011-07-16 July 16, 2011 1 3:29 Tokyo, Japan Defended DREAM Light Heavyweight Championship.
vDraw 30–3–2 United States Keith Jardine Draw (majority) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley 02011-04-09 April 9, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, U.S. Mousasi was deducted 1 point due to an illegal upkick.
Win 30–3–1 Japan Tatsuya Mizuno Submission (rear naked choke) Dream 16 02010-09-25 September 25, 2010 1 6:10 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan DREAM 2010 Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Final; Won inaugural DREAM Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 29–3–1 United States Jake O'Brien Submission (guillotine choke) Dream 15 02010-07-10 July 10, 2010 1 0:31 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM 2010 Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal; 212 lb catchweight bout due to O'Brien missing weight.
Loss 28–3–1 United States Muhammed Lawal Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Nashville 02010-04-17 April 17, 2010 5 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Lost Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship; Mousasi was deducted 1 point due to an illegal upkick.
Win 28–2–1 Trinidad and Tobago Gary Goodridge TKO (punches) Dynamite!! 2009 02009-12-31 December 31, 2009 1 1:34 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Heavyweight bout.
Win 27–2–1 Cameroon Thierry Sokoudjou TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers 02009-11-07 November 7, 2009 2 3:43 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, U.S. Non-title bout.
Win 26–2–1 Brazil Renato Sobral KO (punches) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg 02009-08-15 August 15, 2009 1 1:00 San Jose, California, U.S. Won Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 25–2–1 Australia Mark Hunt Submission (straight armbar) Dream 9 02009-05-26 May 26, 2009 1 1:19 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 24–2–1 Brazil Ronaldo Souza KO (upkick) Dream 6 02008-09-23 September 23, 2008 1 2:15 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Final; Won inaugural DREAM Middleweight Championship.
Win 23–2–1 Netherlands Melvin Manhoef Submission (triangle choke) Dream 6 02008-09-23 September 23, 2008 1 1:28 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 22–2–1 South Korea Dong Sik Yoon Decision (unanimous) Dream 4 02008-06-15 June 15, 2008 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan DREAM 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 21–2–1 Canada Denis Kang Submission (triangle choke) Dream 2 02008-04-29 April 29, 2008 1 3:10 Saitama, Saitama, Japan DREAM 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 20–2–1 Germany Steve Mensing TKO (punches) M-1: Slamm 02008-03-02 March 2, 2008 1 2:44 Netherlands
Win 19–2–1 Brazil Evangelista Santos TKO (punches) HCF: Destiny 02008-02-01 February 1, 2008 1 3:42 Calgary, Alberta, Canada 194 lb catchweight bout.
Win 18–2–1 Croatia Damir Mirenic TKO (punches) HCF: Title Wave 02007-10-19 October 19, 2007 1 4:46 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 17–2–1 United States Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) Bodog Fight 02007-08-25 August 25, 2007 1 4:56 Vancouver, Canada
Win 16–2–1 Russia Alexander Kokoev Decision (unanimous) M-1 Battle on the Neva 02007-07-21 July 21, 2007 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 15–2–1 France Gregory Bouchelaghem Submission (punches) CWFC: Enter The Rough House 02006-12-09 December 9, 2006 1 2:20 Nottingham, England Won Cage Warriors Middleweight Championship.
Win 14–2–1 Cuba Hector Lombard Decision (unanimous) Pride Bushido 13 02006-11-05 November 5, 2006 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Alternate Bout.
Loss 13–2–1 Japan Akihiro Gono Submission (armbar) Pride Bushido 12 02006-08-26 August 26, 2006 2 4:24 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 13–1–1 Japan Makoto Takimoto TKO (broken eye socket) Pride Bushido 11 02006-06-04 June 4, 2006 1 5:34 Saitama, Saitama, Japan PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 12–1–1 Japan Hidetada Irie TKO (corner stoppage) Deep 24 Impact 02006-04-11 April 11, 2006 2 1:29 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–1–1 Croatia Sanjin Kadunc TKO (punches) Future Battle 02006-03-05 March 5, 2006 1 0:35 Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
Win 10–1–1 Netherlands Andre Fyeet TKO (punches) 2H2H: Mixed Fight 02005-12-17 December 17, 2005 1 0:40 Netherlands
Win 9–1–1 Japan Tsuyoshi Kurihara KO (knee) Deep 22 Impact 02005-12-02 December 2, 2005 1 0:10 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–1–1 Netherlands Stefan Klever TKO (punches) Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble 02005-10-09 October 9, 2005 1 3:39 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 7–1–1 Netherlands Chico Martinez Submission (rear naked choke) JE: Holland vs Russia 02005-04-24 April 24, 2005 1 4:39 Netherlands
Win 6–1–1 Republic of Ireland John Donnelly Submission (armbar) Rings: Bushido Ireland 02005-03-12 March 12, 2005 1 1:02 Ireland
Loss 5–1–1 Lithuania Petras Markevičius Submission (armbar) Fight Festival 13 02005-02-28 February 28, 2005 2 1:49 Helsinki, Finland
Win 5–0–1 United States Erik Oganov Submission (rear naked choke) M-1: International Fight Night 02005-02-05 February 5, 2005 1 2:16 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 4–0–1 Netherlands Rody Trost TKO (punches) IMA: Mix Fight 02004-12-19 December 19, 2004 1 3:18 Landsmeer, Holland
Win 3–0–1 Finland Niko Puhakka Submission (rear naked choke) Fight Festival 11 02004-09-11 September 11, 2004 2 2:17 Helsinki, Finland
vDraw 2–0–1 Brazil Gilson Ferreira Draw Together Productions: Fight Gala 02003-11-15 November 15, 2003 2 5:00 Zaandam, Netherlands
Win 2–0 Netherlands Xander Nel TKO (punches) IMA: Mixfight Gala 02003-10-12 October 12, 2003 1 1:05 Badhoevedorp, Netherlands
Win 1–0 Netherlands Daniel Spek TKO (punches) 2H2H: 1st Open Team Mixfight Championships 02003-04-27 April 27, 2003 1 3:40 Amsterdam, Netherlands

[edit] Kickboxing record

Gegard Mousasi kickboxing record
5 wins (3 (T)KO's)

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Gegard Mousasi". Fighters. United States: MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/gegard/mousasi/786/. Retrieved 2011-09-18. 
  2. ^ "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. 
  3. ^ Loretta Hunt. "Mousasi Leaves M-1 Global". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mousasi-Leaves-M-1-Global-22601.html. 
  4. ^ a b Interview with MMA Mail Magazine at Seni 2010 in London http://mmamail.com 2010-05-30
  5. ^ "About Gegard". http://www.mousasi.com/about/. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  6. ^ 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. 
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Gegard Mousasi". M1mixfight.com. 2008-09-19. http://m1mixfight.com/info/interviews/2008/9/19/gegard-mousasi-exclusive/. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  8. ^ 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. 
  9. ^ "Gegard Moussasi Plans to Move Up from Middleweight". MMAUniverse.com. 2009-01-20. http://www.mmauniverse.com/news/SS3913. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  10. ^ 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. 
  11. ^ "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. 
  12. ^ 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. 
  13. ^ "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. 
  14. ^ "Gegard Mousasi Respectfully Dispatches Gary Goodridge". headkicklegend.com. http://www.headkicklegend.com/2009/12/31/1227917/gegard-mousasi-respectfully. Retrieved 2009-12-31. 
  15. ^ "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. 
  16. ^ http://www.fighters.com/04/11/strikeforce-ceo-scott-coker-mousasi-vs-jardine-ii-likely
  17. ^ "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. 
  18. ^ http://mmajunkie.com/news/27097/mike-kyle-vs-gegard-mousasi-confirmed-for-strikeforce-tate-vs-rousey.mma
  19. ^ http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/sport/news/60518/Geghard_Movsisian_launches_qualification_process_to_join_Hollands_Olympic_team

[edit] External links


New championship 1st Dream Middleweight Champion
September 23, 2008 - May 26, 2009		 Vacant
Mousasi move to light heavyweight
Title next held by
Incumbent
New championship 1st Dream Light Heavyweight Champion
September 25, 2010 - Present		 Current holder
Preceded by
Renato Sobral		 3rd Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
August 15, 2009 - April 17, 2010		 Succeeded by
Muhammed Lawal
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gegard_Mousasi&oldid=474281448"
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