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Tag: gegard mousasi

  • Yoel Romero Announces ‘Shogun’ Rua Out, Gegard Mousasi In For GFL Fight On June 22

    Yoel Romero Announces ‘Shogun’ Rua Out, Gegard Mousasi In For GFL Fight On June 22

    It seems that former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero has a new target in his sights for this year’s Global Fight League launch.

    After years of preparation, the GFL is expected to stage events for the first time this year, as the promotion looks to succeed in the fight game with a team-based format and season structure. The organization initially claimed that 15 cards are planned up until August, after which two playoff events and one final will take place before the year’s end. 

    Following the release of the six city teams, as well as a manager and head coach for each, 120 fighters were picked as part of the inaugural draft toward the start of 2025. And while little is known about dates and venues for the first events, which were originally slated for April, the matchups have begun to roll out.

    Among the first to emerge was a clash between Team Miami’s Romero and fellow former UFC veteran Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, of Team São Paulo. That bout, however, looks to be no more.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Romero announced that his fight with Rua is off and he will instead collide with Team London’s Gegard Mousasi. “Soldier of God” also revealed a date and location for the clash.

    “(Rua’s) out, he is out. And now, I moved for middleweight again and I am fighting Gegard Mousasi,” Romero said. “That is happening June 22 in New York. That is the fight that is coming for me. I don’t know what happened with ‘Shogun,’ but my manager called me last week. … I said, ‘Okay, beautiful, I am ready.’

    “For me, both guys are legends. I have very good respect, big respect for both guys,” Romero continued. “Both have a very good history in MMA. For me, it is a great honor to fight now Gegard. But I (was) very excited when the people said ‘Shogun.’ … This is a medal for me. Because when I finish in my career, I’d say, ‘I fought with that guy.’”

    First-round matchups taking place in June would seemingly disrupt the GFL’s original plan of 15 events up until August. And with March coming to its end, the goal of April cards also appears to have been scrapped.

    The legitimacy of the new organization has also been brought into question due to a number of fake announcements. Both Rashad Evans and Jeremy Stephens were drafted in January but have since rejected claims they signed contracts. “Lil Heathen” has now re-signed with the UFC instead.

    While 48 years old, the game doesn’t appear to have left Yoel Romero as of yet. Since a loss in his Bellator debut, the Cuban has won three out of four fights in the cage, most recently defeating fellow former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos under the PFL banner last February.

    He’s currently days away from returning to action under the banner of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship this weekend.

  • Former Champion Files Lawsuit Against PFL-Owned Bellator Shortly After His Release

    Former Champion Files Lawsuit Against PFL-Owned Bellator Shortly After His Release

    Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has filed a complaint against the promotion, and the PFL, after being released from his contract in May.

    The 39-year old was granted his release earlier this year after he spoke incredibly negatively of the promotion in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. In that interview, he said that if it was up to him, he would like to just leave and move on with his career but his team wanted to pursue legal action after the way he had been treated.

    The breakdown in relationship between the two parties stems from Mousasi’s Bellator contract and the PFL being unhappy to honor it after they acquired the promotion and it’s roster last year. This is explained in the documents, including several interactions between Mousasi’s team and the PFL regarding his expensive contract.

    This saga appeared to have come to an end when PFL’s Mike Kogan, who previously worked with Mousasi at Bellator, announced that he had been released, writing: “We wish him all the best fighting in his next chapter.”

    However, as Mousasi stated back in May, his team wanted to progress things even further with John S. Nash reporting that the complaint alleges a breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, a claim for relief for Monopsonizaton.

    The detailed complaint provides lots of information about Mousasi’s Bellator contract and how the PFL did not want to pay him that much money to fight considering that he wasn’t a champion or a PPV draw.

    It also goes into the other issues, including a claim that Mousasi was misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.

    All of the information, including the conversation back and forth from Mousasi’s management and the PFL can be found via Nash’s X account below:

  • Report: Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen In The Works For June

    A Bellator middleweight title fight between champion Gegard Mousasi and top contender Johnny Eblen is in the works for June.

    News of the targeted bout was first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

    Mousasi had teased a potential move to light heavyweight by the end of 2022, but that plan appears to be on hold at the moment. He is coming off one of the most dominant wins of his career over Austin Vanderford at Bellator 275 in a quick TKO victory.

    Mousasi earned the belt by defeating Douglas Lima for the then-vacant title at Bellator 250. He went on to successfully defend it against John Salter and most recently against Vanderford.

    Mousasi also had a brief title reign by defeating Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in a second-round ground-and-pound barrage.

    Mousasi will face a tough test in Eblen, who has been on a roll and is undefeated in his MMA career. The former NCAA wrestling standout and American Top Team trainee most recently earned lopsided wins over Salter and Collin Huckbody.

    Eblen made his Bellator debut back at Bellator 218 following his full-time transition to MMA. He has also earned wins over Taylor Johnson and Mauricio Alonso on the way to the title shot.

    As Helwani reported, the Mousasi vs. Eblen matchup is tentatively in the works for sometime in June. The venue and exact date regarding the planned fight could be announced within the coming weeks.

    What is your prediction for the rumored Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen fight?

  • Mousasi Gives Inside Scoop On How UFC Negotiates With Fighters

    Bellator middleweight champion and former UFC fighter Gegard Mousasi gave a recent first-hand account of how the UFC negotiates with fighters.

    Mousasi, arguably one of the most underrated fighters in MMA today, has embraced his new home at Bellator since leaving the UFC. He earned the Bellator middleweight title over Douglas Lima at Bellator 250 and is coming off of back-to-back TKO finishes.

    Once thought of as a potential future UFC champion, Mousasi’s rise in the UFC came to a halt following some alleged tension-filled contract negotiations. He ended up signing with Bellator and is now pursuing titles in multiple weight classes.

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Mousasi revealed what it was like doing business with the UFC when he first joined the promotion.

    “The first contract, they said because I was coming off Strikeforce, okay, I wasn’t doing very well in the UFC but they said you sign it or you leave,” Mousasi claimed. “They said no negotiation, you sign or you leave.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    Mousasi fought in the UFC from 2013-2017, with his last victory with the promotion coming against former champion Chris Weidman at UFC 210. He would then sign with Bellator in free agency and make his promotional debut just six months later.

    Mousasi went on to detail how the UFC is perceived when it comes to negotiations, compared to the reality of how they handle business.

    “UFC can be hard in negotiations,” Mousasi said. “People think it’s all kisses and hugs, believe me they can be brutal. If they need you, Dana White will call you… If they don’t need you, you’re gonna find out on Sherdog that you’ve been released.”

    Mousasi’s comments come at a time when the UFC has been at odds with some of its biggest stars, most notably UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. In the leadup to Ngannou’s win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, his negotiations with the UFC were a hot topic of conversation.

    The UFC and president Dana White have yet to respond to Mousasi’s comments.

    What are your thoughts on Gegard Mousasi’s comments?

  • Bellator’s Gegard Mousasi Considers Triple-Champ Status

    Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi wants a shot at the promotion’s light heavyweight title by the end of 2022.

    Mousasi is fresh off his dominant win over Austin Vanderford at Bellator 275. After a flurry of strikes from both men in the opening minute, Mousasi got the fight to the ground and finished Vanderford with a ground-and-pound barrage in the first round.

    Mousasi has now won four straight since falling to Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 223. He earned the Bellator middleweight title by defeating Douglas Lima at Bellator 250.

    Mousasi went on to defend his title against John Salter at Bellator 264 before his recent dismantling of Vanderford. The former UFC standout has become a household name in Bellator despite being in the latter stages of his career.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Mousasi teased his plans for 2022, including a move to light heavyweight and maybe even heavyweight after that.

    “I’m going to do a weight up in Bellator,” “Even heavyweight maybe. If I win the light heavyweight belt, maybe it’s nice also to fight for the heavyweight belt. Let me get the light heavyweight belt first, and dream even bigger. At the end of the year is what my manager thinks [for light heavyweight]. To achieve something no one else [has].”

    Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov will face off with former UFC contender Corey Anderson at Bellator 277. The fight will conclude the promotion’s Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix.

    Mousasi has previously competed at 205 pounds but hasn’t fought at light heavyweight since beating Ilir Latifi at a UFC Fight Night in 2013. He earned a light heavyweight title in Dream by defeating Tatsuya Mizuno at Dream 16.

    Bellator President Scott Coker has also hinted that he would like to see Mousasi compete at light heavyweight.

    Mousasi has previously hinted at retirement after a few more MMA fights. Before he calls it quits, he plans on attempting to mark a few goals off his MMA bucket list and cement his legacy as arguably an all-time great.

    Do you think Gegard Mousasi could beat Bellator light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov?

  • Bellator 275 Results & Highlights: Mousasi TKOs Vanderford

    Bellator 275 went down at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland today with a middleweight title fight between Gegard Mousasi and Bellator MMA’s No. 1 ranked middleweight,  Austin Vanderford.

    The 31-year-old Vanderford is known to casual fans of the sport for being the husband of Paige VanZant, but for anyone that has been paying attention, he’s definitely a world-class fighter.

    Mousasi is only a few years older than Vanderford but his experience in mixed martial arts competition was considered a key factor by pundits ahead of his title defense against Vandeford at Bellator 275.

    You can peep the highlights from the main event below followed by the Bellator 275 quick results!

    Gegard Mousasi def. Austin Vanderford

    https://twitter.com/VMSportIE/status/1497353383627403274

    Bellator 275 Quick Results

    Main Card

    Gegard Mousasi def. Austin Vanderford via TKO (punches): R1, 1:25

    Sinead Kavanagh def. Leah McCourt via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

    Ciaran Clarke def. Abou Tounkara via TKO (shoulder injury): R1, 5:00

    Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Jose Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27×2)

    Jornel Lugo def. Brian Moore via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

    Preliminary Card

    Brett Johns def. Khurshed Kakhorov via TKO (strikes): R3, 3:00

    Davy Gallon def. Charlie Leary via TKO (punches): R2, 3:01

    Stephanie Page def. Danni McCormack via TKO: R1, 1:46

    Darragh Kelly def. Junior Morgan via submission (guillotine choke): R1, 1:47

    Vladimir Tokov def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Gokhan Saricam def. Kirill Sidelnikov via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Nathan Kelly def. Scott Pedersen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

    Lee Hammond def. Jamie Hay via TKO: R1, 3:32

  • Gegard Mousasi Would Be Open To A Boxing Match With Anderson Silva

    Gegard Mousasi could be the next MMA fighter to move to boxing.

    Gegard Mousasi has had a long and successful MMA career. From the UFC to now in Bellator, Mousasi isn’t closing the door on new opportunities. He is getting ready for his Bellator middleweight title defense against Austin Vanderford. That fight will go down at Bellator 275 this Friday night.

    During a Q and A with the media prior to the event, Mousasi explained how he would like to try out boxing. He also has a very big name in mind if he does.

    “We were aiming for Anderson Silva because of Showtime and boxing and he was boxing,” Mousasi told the media via MMA Junkie. “I wanted to do something different, but I don’t know. I want to do it, but it is up to them. Boxing because MMA [he] is a bit too old. Boxing he is doing well, he beat a former champ I think. And I think it is something different. Or they give me another fighter, a boxing fighter, but I think Anderson is a bigger name.”

    Silva was a longtime UFC champion. He is known in some circles as the greatest fighter of all time. With a reputation like that, he is bound to be the target for many other fighters, no matter the sport.

    After his UFC career came to a close, Silva decided to make his way to the squared circle. He has had four professional boxing fights so far, winning three of them, including most recently going 2-0 in 2021, with an upset win over Julio César Chávez Jr. and defeating fellow UFC legend Tito Ortiz. Silva is showing that he still has the skill and drive to continue fighting, even if it is in another manner.

    Although both Silva and Mousasi spent the majority of their careers in the UFC at the same time, in the same division, they never fought each other. They do have some former opponents in common, so it would be interesting to see who would get the win between them.

    Taking the opportunity to fight in the boxing ring seems fashionable at this point. Lately, a few former MMA fighters have been taking their talents to the ring in order to continue their careers and make some money. Silva is still a draw and having him face any other MMA fighter would be entertaining, especially if it is the current Bellator middleweight champion.

    Would you like to see a boxing match between Anderson Silva and Gegard Mousasi?

  • Gegard Mousasi Defends MW Title Against Austin Vanderford Feb. 25

    Gegard Mousasi will attempt to pick up a fourth consecutive victory against the undefeated Austin Vanderford in February.

    As originally reported by MMA Junkie, Mousasi is set to defend against Vanderford inside the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Mousasi is ranked #4 in the Bellator pound-for-pound rankings. Vanderford is the #1-ranked middleweight.

    At Bellator 250, Gegard Mousasi became a two-time Bellator middleweight champion when he defeated Douglas Lima to capture the vacant title. Earlier this year, the 57-fight veteran successfully defended his title with a TKO victory over John Salter. The 36-year-old champion has a promotional record of 6-1 after joining the promotion in 2017. Throughout his lengthy MMA career, Mousasi has defeated names such as Chris Weidman, Rory MacDonald, Dan Henderson, and Thiago Santos, to name a few.

    Mousasi will be tasked with trying to hand Austin Vanderford the first loss of his professional career. Vanderford may be best known for being the husband of Paige VanZant, but he is making quite the name for himself with his work inside of the cage. 6 of Vanderford’s 11 wins have come under the Bellator umbrella. Most recently, Vanderford defeated veteran Fabian Edwards at Bellator 259.

    MMA News will be bringing you full coverage of this Bellator event when that February night arrives. In the meantime, let us hear your predictions! Does Gegard Mousasi pick up a second consecutive title defense, or does Austin Vanderford remain undefeated while picking up championship gold?