Gegard Mousasi is not afraid of Jon Jones, would love to fight him
Posted on May 14, 2012, 11:30 AM by Mike Drahota
Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi is at home in the Netherlands, healing from a major injury right now. Most people were quite unaware that he had torn his ACL, having last seen Mousasi in his December victory over Ovince St. Preux. While Mousasi heals, he took the time to answer several questions, and in doing so, he set his sights upon the top of the food chain in MMA right now. When asked about current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones, a man who has run roughshod over former titleholders lately, Mousasi simply replied:
“I'd love to fight him. I'm not afraid of fighting anybody because I never got hurt in any fight – kickboxing, boxing, MMA. I may have lost a fight, but I've never been hurt in a fight. I'm always confident that whatever happens, I got my chance. And I know I have a good punch, so I never doubt myself that I can win a fight or not.” - via MMAJunkie.com
With the striking accomplishments of Mousasi well-known, talk would turn to the ground game were he ever to face Jones in the Octagon. Jones is a great wrestler, something that has been viewed as Mousasi's weak point, stemming from his 2010 loss to Muhammed Lawal. The UFC belt is currently one of few that Mousasi has failed to obtain, having won Strikeforce, DREAM, and Cage Warriors championships. However there are many roadblocks to this scenario, with Mousasi tentatively scheduled to face Mike Kyle under the Strikeforce banner upon his return. He has several fights remaining on his Strikeforce contract, having signed a new one recently:
"I had one fight left (on my Strikeforce contract), then I was hoping maybe to go to the UFC after that, but then they offered me – they said we're going to give you a new contract. So I signed for another six fights. Now I have a six-, seven-fight deal, I believe, in Strikeforce. They said the Strikeforce fighters were going to stay with Strikeforce, and that's the thing that it was, so we signed again."
With November being his hoped-for return date, Mousasi finds himself in an odd situation outside the UFC if he wishes to stake claim as one of the world's top Light Heavyweights. There is no doubt that his striking skills are world-class, when will we see him in the UFC?
Comments
You have never been hurt in a fight Mousasi, but Jones would change that streak, and quickly.
Big talk coming from a fighter that just signed a huge deal with SF and will not be seeing action the UFC anytime soon, if ever.
Can anyone figure out why LOWKICK would even consider this UFC news??? Just because some B rate fighter says he wants to fight a UFC fighter. Comon man...you have to be desperate to post this...WEAK
"My contract with SF is almost over I would definitely fight Jones, i know i can win, i'm not afraid of him ! But actually i just signed with SF for another 7 fight contract so c ya !"
I agree with what CageRage said, big talk from Neverhappenistan. Things I'll never have to face that I'm not afraid of...
alien death rays
too much good news
supermodel nyphomaniacs
Mousasi is a great fighter with an incredible well-rounded skill set (except wrestling) and he could do well against any MW but he wouldn't be able to handle the top LHWs.
Anything can happen,and if asked by journalist ,would u fight jones,what else can you say as a fighter.Everybody has a shot.That one punch could be enough,that's what he said.He never said anything about being a better fighter then JJ.
This cat is as humble as they come. I think he'd probably do well against Bones.......but I say that about just about everyone Jones had fought and he proves me way wrong every time.
I like Mousasi but the problem with Jones will not only be the wrestling but also the reach difference.
I see Mousasi with better chances at the middleweight division in wich class he has also fought and with very good results: two of his belts were at that division.
Sad for the new Strikeforce contract.
Idk how Mousasi would fare against JJ right now...but he would rank in the top 10 LHW in the UFC.
I agree with that. He would do well against just about anyone in the top ten. He's been in some wars and stays super composed under pressure; but Bones brings a different kind of pressure into the cage with him..... As much as I hate to say it. It pains me.
when mousasi says he has a good punch that means he has a punchers chance... remember his fight against queen mo? 5 rounds on the ground. 5 rounds on the ground with jones and that will end his career roght there
I think he would do very well against Jon. I'd would say he has a legitimate chance against anybody at LHW. After the King Mo fight, he just decided to get good at wrestling, he is very talented and very underrated, he really should be in the UFC.
@ASDF good point he has been working his TTD like crazy. That said Moussai at middle weight would make a great fight with Belcher or Lombard, UFC make that fight happen!!
GM has fought at heavyweight as well. A few years ago he was making 185, but he stated himself that he doesn't want to go back down to 185 unless it's Anderson. Lets not forget he beat Hunt @ HW and Lombard.
Gegard has a clear advantage in the striking. It would look a lot like the striking exchanges in JJ's fight with Lyoto. Grappling clearly goes to Jones. I give Jones no chance in the stand up. If it goes to the ground Gegard may be able to get a sub but I doubt it. If Gegard can improve his TDD enough he can beat Jones.
Jones dropped Lyoto right before he choked him unconscious. Gegard is extremely slow to engage when he fights anybody with power, or good wrestling.
He rocked Lyoto on the ground with an elbow. Everything after that was against a half conscious Dragon. Gegard also isn't slow or a power fighter. He is just methodical. His strikes are crisp, technical and fast.
Lyoto was fully concsious against Jones standing up. The hardest shot of the fight before the choke out was Jones dropping him with a well timed right hand. I never said he wasn't a methodical fighter that is slow or a "power fighter". I said when he fights somebody "with power", and "good wrestling" he becomes extremely slow to engage.
No, Lyoto said himself that he was never able to recover from that elbow. Lyoto is not the type to lie about that. It would violate Bushido.
Also, agreed on Gegard being slow to engage at times. I was in a hurry when I read your response. My bad.
But GM knocked out Jaca (sp) from his back with an up kick! This cat had had his share of jaw dropping moments. It would be sweet to see him have one against Bones. Maybe in the next few years or so. Both of these guys are still young.