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Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event.
Born	Geghard Movsesian (1985-08-01) August 1, 1985 (age 39) Tehran, Iran
Other names	The Dreamcatcher The Armenian Assassin
Nationality	Dutch
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb)
Division	Light Heavyweight (2009–present) Middleweight (2003–2008)
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
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 Team Schreiber
Rank	Black belt in Judo
Years active	2003–present
Kickboxing record
Total	8
Wins	8
By knockout	3
Mixed martial arts record
Total	39
Wins	34
By knockout	18
By submission	11
By decision	5
Losses	3
By knockout	0
By submission	2
By decision	1
Draws	2
Amateur boxing record
Total	13
Wins	12
By knockout	9
Losses	1
Other information
Notable relatives	Gewik Mousasi (brother)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Geghard Movsesian (Template:Lang-hy, born 1 August 1985), better known as Gegard Mousasi, is a Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer of Armenian origin currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 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 former Dream Light Heavyweight champion, former Dream Middleweight Champion, Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion and the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Mousasi is currently ranked as the #10 light heavyweight fighter in the UFC official rankings.

Mixed martial arts career

Early life and career

Mousasi was born in Tehran, Iran to ethnic Armenian parents during the Iran–Iraq War. At the age of 4, Mousasi and his family relocated to Leiden, Netherlands, where he finished grade school before developing an interest in martial arts.

He started practicing Judo at the age of 8 and later boxing at age 15; twelve months later he became the amateur boxing champion of the Netherlands with a 12-1 record, earning 9 knockouts. He then switched to kickboxing and then eventually to mixed martial arts.

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 first round. In the quarter-finals Mousasi went on to face Akihiro Gono, in a losing effort, being defeated late on the second 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, Gegard defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Denis Kang by triangle choke. Kang had defeated Gono in the semifinals of the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix. In the second round of the tournament, at Dream 4, Mousasi won a decision victory over Dong Sik Yoon and advanced to the final round, which took place at Dream 6. 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. Souza went on to win the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.

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.

M-1 Global

Gegard Mousasi next made an appearance at M-1 Global's Breakthrough event at August 28, 2009, where he sparred with former Pride Heavyweight and current WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko, a friend and teammate, in an exhibition match. The two friends fought a competitive and friendly spirited exhibition with several Judo throws from both Emelianenko and Mousasi. Mousasi was defeated with a straight armbar.

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."

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.

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 at Dream 11, 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. 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.

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 minute of 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, who Mousasi was previously supposed to fight at Dream 11, on November 7, 2009 at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. Mousasi was originally slated to defend his Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship, but eventually competed in a non-title bout.

Mousasi quickly defeated journeyman Gary Goodridge under MMA rules at Dynamite!! 2009.

On April 17, 2010, Mousasi lost the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship belt in his first defense to Muhammed "Mo" Lawal by way of unanimous judge's decision. Mousasi had, however, outlanded Lawal in Total Punches 171 to 125. The judges may have given the fight to Lawal because he was on top of Mousasi for most of the fight and because of a point deduction given to Mousasi following an illegal up-kick. Lawal would later test positive for anabolic steroids following a fight with Lorenz Larkin.

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 first 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 first round by submission via rear naked choke.

Last of Strikeforce

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. 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 MMA Fighting.com, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated “I’ve got a lot of respect for Keith Jardine, but I think Gegard won the fight.” In the same interview, Coker also stated that a rematch between Mousasi and Jardine was definitely a possibility for the future. MMA Fighting.com named this fight their Runner-Up for "Robbery of the Half-Year."

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

Mousasi was expected to face Mike Kyle at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey, but Kyle once again withdrew due to injury.

Mousasi was later recovering from knee surgery following a torn ACL and was expected to fully recover by November, 2012. He also signed a new contract for six more fights with the organization, making a total of seven. However, with Strikeforce having shut down, this contract was likely now null and void.

Mousasi faced Mike Kyle at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013. He won via submission in the first round. This was the fourth time a fight between Mousasi and Kyle was scheduled and the first time it wasn't canceled.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On January 15, 2013, the UFC announced Mousasi would be joining 19 other Strikeforce fighters in a move to the UFC after his win over Mike Kyle at the promotion's last event, Strikeforce: Marquardt vs Saffiedine.

Mousasi was expected to make his promotional debut against Alexander Gustafsson on April 6, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 9. However, on March 30, Gustafsson suffered a cut in training and, on April 2, was deemed unclear to participate by the Swedish MMA Federation. Gustafsson was replaced by Ilir Latifi, a UFC newcomer and training partner of Gustafsson. Mousasi won the fight by unanimous decision. He fought with an injured knee and underwent surgery after the fight. UFC President Dana White praised Mousasi for going through with the fight injured and in his opponents home, as well as accepting a late change of opponents.

Kickboxing career

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.

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 would try to qualify himself through Netherlands qualifiers. 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.

Following an injury and the signing of a new contract with Strikeforce, he gave up interest in competing in the Olympics.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Strikeforce
  • Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Fastest stoppage in a Strikeforce title bout (1:00; vs. Renato Sobral)

• DREAM
  • DREAM Middleweight Championship (One time; First; Last; Only)
  • DREAM Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; First; Last; Only)
  • 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Champion
  • 2010 DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion
  • First combatant to win DREAM Championships in multiple weight classes (Two)
  • First combatant to win DREAM Grand Prix in multiple weight classes (Two)

• Cage Warriors Fighting Championship
  • Cage Warriors Middleweight Championship (One time)

• World MMA Awards
  • 2009 European Fighter of the Year

• Inside MMA
  • 2008 Biggest Breakthrough Bazzie Award

• Bleacher Report
  • 2008 Fighter of the Year

Amateur Boxing

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

Mixed martial arts record

Kickboxing record

Gegard Mousasi kickboxing record

5 wins (3 (T)KO's) Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2010-12-31 Win Kyotaro Dynamite!! 2010 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 5-0 K-1 rules 3 x 3. 2008-12-31 Win Musashi Dynamite!! 2008 Saitama, Saitama, Japan TKO (referee stoppage) 1 2:32 4-0 K-1 rules 3 x 3. 2004-10-16 Win Enrico Grootenhuis Muaythai & Mixfight Gala Emmen, Netherlands KO 1 0:35 3-0 Muay Thai rules (B-class 5 x 2). 2003-06-14 Win Surinder Baghola Muay Thai Warrior Rhoon, Netherlands TKO 1 1:04 2-0 Muay Thai rules (C-class 3 x 2). 2003-01-25 Win Arno Hilckmann Muay Thai Gala Alkmaar, Netherlands Decision (unanimous) 3 2:00 1-0 Muay Thai rules (C-class 3 x 2). Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

• List of current mixed martial arts champions

References

1. "Gegard Mousasi". Fighters. United States: MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
2. ^ http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/01/ufc-unveils-list-of-fighters-moving-from-strikeforce-to-ufc
3. "Light Heavyweight MMA Top 10". ufc.com. February, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. ^ Interview with MMA Mail Magazine at Seni 2010 in London http://mmamail.com 2010-05-30
5. "About Gegard". Retrieved 2010-09-01.
6. ^ Leidecker, Tim. "Europe's Best-Kept Secret". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
7. "Exclusive: Gegard Mousasi". M1mixfight.com. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
8. Sherdog.com. "Fight Finder - Dream 4 - Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Quarterfinals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
9. Brady, Cory (August 28, 2009). "Fedor Emelianenko Submits Gegard Mousasi at "M-1 Global: Breakthrough"". FiveOuncesofPain. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
10. Loretta Hunt. "Mousasi Leaves M-1 Global". Sherdog.
11. "Gegard Moussasi Plans to Move Up from Middleweight". MMAUniverse.com. 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
12. Hunt, Loretta (2009-02-14). "Middleweight Mousasi To Take Heavyweight Leap". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
13. "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
14. Stupp, Dann. "Mousasi refuses Affliction III middleweight bout, challenges Belfort to catch-weight". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
15. "Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou completes Strikeforce's Nov. 7 CBS lineup". mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
16. "Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou completes Strikeforce's Nov. 7 CBS lineup". MMAJunkie. 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
17. "Gegard Mousasi Respectfully Dispatches Gary Goodridge". headkicklegend.com. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
18. "FightMetric Releases Stats For King Mo Lawal vs. Mousasi, Quality Over Quantity". mmaforreal.com. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
19. "Strikeforce's 'King Mo' Lawal tests positive for anabolic steroid, fighter denies use". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
20. "Jardine replaces injured Kyle, faces Mousasi at "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley"". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
21. "Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker: Mousasi vs. Jardine II likely". fighters.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
22. "Robbery of the Half-Year: Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
23. "Ovince St. Preux vs. ex-champ Gegard Mousasi booked for Dec. 17 Strikeforce event". mmajunkie.com. 2011-09-20.
24. "Injured Mike Kyle scratches from 'Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey' co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. 2012-02-13.
25. "Guests: Gegard Mousasi and Jessica Penne. Mousasi is recuperating from knee surgery, while Penne is coming off a win at Invicta FC". taggradio.com. 2012-05-02.
26. "The End of Strikeforce". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
27. "STRIKEFORCE® MARQUARDT VS. SAFFIEDINE". strikeforce.com. 2012-11-30.
28. Ariel Helwani (January 19, 2013). "Alexander Gustafsson vs. Gegard Mousasi slated for April in Sweden". mmafighting.com.
29. "SMMAF: Alexander Gustafsson 'will not be fit to compete as planned and cannot be medically cleared'". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
30. "UFC on Fuel 9: Gegard Mousasi meets Ilir Latifi, training partner of Gustafsson". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
31. "Gegard Mousasi fought Ilir Latifi on injured knee, will undergo surgery". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
32. "Geghard Movsisian launches qualification process to join Holland's Olympic team". panarmenian.net. 2011-01-31.
33. "Strikeforce's Mousasi on mend following ACL surgery, UFC champ Jones on radar". mmajunkie.com. 2012-05-14.

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

Template:Persondata

• Armenian mixed martial artists
• Dutch mixed martial artists
• Middleweight mixed martial artists
• Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
• Dream (mixed martial arts) champions
• Strikeforce champions
• Armenian judoka
• Dutch judoka
• Armenian kickboxers
• Dutch kickboxers
• Heavyweight kickboxers
• Armenian Muay Thai practitioners
• Dutch Muay Thai practitioners
• Dutch Armenians
• Iranian mixed martial artists
• Iranian Armenian people
• People from Leiden
• People from Tehran
• Living people
• 1985 births
• Iranian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu