Gegard Mousasi Calls Out Two Top Middleweights For UFC London
No. 5-ranked UFC middleweight Gegard Mousasi has been on a rabid tear through the 185-pound division with his current three-fight win streak.
The former Strikeforce champion is coming off of a first round knockout win over Uriah Hall in their rematch main event at UFC Belfast earlier this month, marking Mousasi’s third straight knockout finish since July. Now that he’s broken into the top five, the Dutchman is looking to propel himself into the crowded middleweight title picture, and he believes a win over two certain fellow top ten 185-pounders will do the trick.
Mousasi recently spoke to Independent.co to discuss his future plans after his win over Hall, setting his sights on the co-main event slot of UFC London in March of 2017, a card he believes will be headlined by current division champ Michael Bisping:
“The UFC is coming back to the UK and I’ve already fought there a few times so it makes sense I fight there again,” Mousasi said. “If Michael Bisping fights Yoel Romero in the main event then I should fight in the co-main event – that would be nice.
“I like fighting in the UK and I prefer fighting in Europe so to me that all makes sense. I know that’s when Michael Bisping wants to defend his belt because that’s his home turf.”
As for his potential opponent in the co-main event slot, Mousasi targets up-and-coming middleweight Robbert Whittaker and former division champion Luke Rockhold as viable candidates:
“I think a fight with Robert Whittaker or Luke Rockhold would be good,” Mousasi said. “If I fight one of those guys in the co-main event I think that’s what makes most sense for me and what makes most sense for the UFC.
“A win over either of those guys should put me in line for the title shot, but I know it has to be impressive. I want that co-main event and I want it in March,” Mousasi said.
Mousasi does not have a preference as to whether or not it’s Whittaker or Rockhold next, but believes the UFC will determine the next challenger for the middleweight title with a bout between Rockhold and No. 3-ranked Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza:
“I’m not sure what the UFC are going to do, but I’m guessing they will do Jacare [Souza] versus Luke Rockhold to decide the next guy,” Mousasi said. “They are ahead of me right now I know that and I think the winner of that will be the next guy to fight for the title. Whatever though, I’m confident I would be Rockhold, I’ve seen things in his game that I can take advantage of.
“Now Robert Whittaker is coming through. I saw him beat Derek Brunson last weekend. He looked good and he’s powerful, but that was a crazy fight. He was wild and that wouldn’t work against me. I don’t care what the UFC are going to do. They could put me with anyone and I’m confident I would beat them.”
Regardless of who Mousasi gets matched-up with next, it is certain to be an entertaining bout for fight fans to enjoy. Who do you think the UFC will pair the Dutchman up with next?
