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, Iran |
| Other names | The Dreamcatcher, The Armenian Assassin |
| Nationality |  Armenian  Dutch |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 93 kg (205 lb; 14.6 st) |
| Division | 185 205 (2009–present) |
| Style | Judo, Kickboxing and Boxing |
| Fighting out of | Leiden, Netherlands |
| Team | Team Jurojin |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 7 |
| Wins | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 32 |
| Wins | 28 |
| By knockout | 17 |
| By submission | 9 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Gewik Mousasi, brother |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Gegard Mousasi (born August 1, 1985) is a professional Dutch-Armenian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is fighting out of Team Jurojin in Leiden, Netherlands and is a member of Red Devil Sport Club. He is the former Dream Middleweight Champion, Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion and the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Both Sherdog.com and MMAweekly.com rank Mousasi as the sixth best light heavyweight in the world.[1][2] His last loss was to Muhammed Lawal at Strikeforce: Nashville.
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]
Biography
Early life and career
Mousasi was born in Tehran[4], Iran to ethnic Armenian parents during the Iran-Iraq War. At the age of 8[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[8] and later boxing at age 15; twelve months later he became the amateur boxing champion of the Netherlands. He then switched to kickboxing and then eventually to mixed martial arts.[6]
Dream
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.[9] 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.
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.
Move to light-heavyweight and heavyweight
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.[10][11]
Mousasi submitted Mark Hunt in the first round of the Super Hulk Grand Prix at Dream 9.
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.[12] 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.[13] 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. At M-1 Breakthrough, an exhibition grappling match between new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Mousasi and Fedor Emelianenko took place in which both showed great grappling throws and sweeps, but ended by Fedor submitting Mousasi by armbar with one and a half minutes left in the first round.
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.[14]
Mousasi quickly defeated journeyman Gary Goodridge under MMA rules at Dynamite!! 2009.[15]
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.
Championships and accomplishments
- World MMA Awards
- European Fighter of the Year 2009
- Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
- 2008 Dream Middleweight Champion
- 2008 Dream Middleweight GP Champion
- 2006 Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion
Mixed martial arts record
| 32 matches | 28 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 17 | 0 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 28–3–1 |  Muhammed Lawal
|
Decision (Unanimous) | Strikeforce: Nashville | April 17, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
|
Lost Strikeforce LHW Championship |
| Win | 28–2–1 |  Gary Goodridge
|
TKO (Punches) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 1 | 1:34 |  Saitama, Japan
|
Fought at Heavyweight |
| Win | 27–2–1 |  Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
|
TKO (Strikes) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers | November 7, 2009 | 2 | 3:43 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, U.S.
|
Non title fight |
| Win | 26–2–1 |  Renato Sobral
|
KO (Punches) | Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg | August 15, 2009 | 1 | 1:00 | San Jose, California, U.S.
|
Won Strikeforce LHW Championship |
| Win | 25–2–1 |  Mark Hunt
|
Submission (Kimura) | DREAM.9 FWGP 2009 Second Round | May 26, 2009 | 1 | 1:20 | Yokohama, Japan
|
DREAM Super Hulk GP Quarter Final |
| Win | 24–2–1 | Ronaldo Souza
|
KO (Upkick) | DREAM.6 MW GP 2008 Final Round | September 23, 2008 | 1 | 2:15 | Saitama, Japan
|
Dream MW GP Final; Won Dream MW GP |
| Win | 23–2–1 | Melvin Manhoef
|
Submission (Triangle Choke) | DREAM.6 MW GP 2008 Final Round | September 23, 2008 | 1 | 1:28 | Saitama, Japan
|
Dream MWGP Semi-Final |
| Win | 22–2–1 |  Dong Sik Yoon
|
Decision (Unanimous) | DREAM.4 MW GP 2008 Second Round | June 15, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan
|
Dream MWGP Quarter-Final |
| Win | 21–2–1 | Denis Kang
|
Submission (Triangle Choke) | DREAM.2 MW GP 2008 First Round | April 29, 2008 | 1 | 3:10 | Saitama, Japan
|
Dream MWGP Opening Round |
| Win | 20–2–1 |  Steve Mensing
|
TKO (Punches) | M-1: Slamm | March 2, 2008 | 1 | 2:43 | Holland
| |
| Win | 19–2–1 | Evangelista Santos
|
TKO (Punches) | HCF: Destiny | February 1, 2008 | 1 | 3:42 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
| Win | 18–2–1 |  Damir Mirenic
|
TKO (Punches and Elbows) | HCF: Title Wave | October 19, 2007 | 1 | 4:46 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
| Win | 17–2–1 | Kyacey Uscola
|
TKO | Bodog Fight: Vancouver | August 25, 2007 | 1 | 4:56 | Vancouver, Canada
| |
| Win | 16–2–1 |  Alexander Kokoev
|
Submission (Choke) | M-1 Battle on the Neva | July 21, 2007 | 1 | 0:58 | St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
| Win | 15–2–1 |  Gregory Bouchelaghem
|
Submission (Strikes) | CWFC: Enter The Rough House | December 9, 2006 | 1 | 2:20 |  Nottingham, England
|
Won Cage Warriors Middleweight title |
| Win | 14–2–1 |  Hector Lombard
|
Decision (Unanimous) | Pride Bushido 13 | November 5, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan
|
PRIDE 2006 WW GP Alternate Bout |
| Loss | 13–2–1 | Akihiro Gono
|
Submission (Armbar) | Pride Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 2 | 4:24 | Nagoya, Japan
|
PRIDE 2006 WW GP Quarterfinal |
| Win | 13–1–1 | Makoto Takimoto
|
TKO (Broken Eye Socket) | Pride Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 1 | 5:34 | Saitama, Japan
|
PRIDE 2006 WW GP Opening Round |
| Win | 12–1–1 | Hidetada Irie
|
TKO (Punches) | Deep 24 Impact | April 11, 2006 | 2 | 1:29 | Tokyo, Japan
| |
| Win | 11–1–1 | Sanjin Kadunc
|
TKO (Strikes) | Future Battle | March 5, 2006 | 1 | 0:35 | Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
| |
| Win | 10–1–1 | Andre Fyeet
|
TKO | 2H2H: Mixed Fight | December 17, 2005 | 1 | 0:40 | Holland
| |
| 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, Holland
| |
| Win | 7–1–1 | Chico Martinez
|
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | JE: Holland vs Russia | April 24, 2005 | 1 | 4:27 | Holland
| |
| 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 | St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Rody Trost
|
TKO (Strikes) | 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, Holland
| |
| Win | 2–0 | Xander Nel
|
TKO (Strikes) | IMA: Mixfight Gala | October 12, 2003 | 1 | 1:05 | Badhoevedorp, Holland
| |
| Win | 1–0 | Daniel Spek
|
TKO (Cut) | 2H2H: 1st Open Team Mixfight Championships | April 27, 2003 | 1 | 3:40 | Amsterdam, Holland
|
Kickboxing record
| 4 Wins (4 (T)KO's, 1 decisions), 0 Losses | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
| 2008-12-31 | Win | Musashi
|
Dynamite!! 2008 | Saitama, Japan | TKO (Referee stoppage) | 1 | 2:32 | K-1 debut (K-1 rules 3 X 3) |
| 2004-10-16 | Win | Enrico Grootenhuis
|
Muaythai & Mixfight Gala | Emmen, Netherlands | KO | 1 | 0:35 | Muaythai (B-class 5 X 2) |
| 2003-06-14 | Win | Surinder Baghola
|
Muay Thai Warrior | Rhoon, Netherlands | TKO | 1 | 1:04 | Muaythai (C-class 3 X 2) |
| 2003-01-25 | Win | Arno Hilckmann
|
Muay Thai Gala | Alkmaar, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | Muaythai (C-class 3 X 2) |
References
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/3/Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-21717
- ^ http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/topten.asp?articleid=15&zoneid=15
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mousasi-Leaves-M-1-Global-22601.html
- ^ Interview with MMA Mail Magazine at Seni 2010 in London http://mmamail.com 2010-05-30}}
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi at Seni 2010 in London". MMA Mail Magazine. 2010-05-30.
- ^ a b Leidecker, Tim. ""Europe's Best-Kept Secret"". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
- ^ "Exclusive: Gegard Mousasi". M1mixfight.com. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ Interview with MMA Mail Magazine at Seni 2010 in London http://mmamail.com 2010-05-30}}
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Fight Finder - Dream 4 - Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Quarterfinals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ "Gegard Moussasi Plans to Move Up from Middleweight". MMAUniverse.com. 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ Hunt, Loretta (2009-02-14). "Middleweight Mousasi To Take Heavyweight Leap". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Stupp, Dann. "Mousasi refuses Affliction III middleweight bout, challenges Belfort to catch-weight". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou completes Strikeforce's Nov. 7 CBS lineup". mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Gegard Mousasi Respectfully Dispatches Gary Goodridge". headkicklegend.com. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
External links
- Armenian mixed martial artists
- Dutch mixed martial artists
- Middleweight mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Dream champions
- Strikeforce champions
- Dutch people of Armenian descent
- Dutch people of Iranian descent
- Iranian Armenian people
- Armenian judoka
- Armenian kickboxers
- Living people
- 1985 births