Gegard Mousasi Wants Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 78 in Japan ,For UFC middleweight contender Gegard Mousasi, it’s the matchup that makes perfect sense.Mousasi (37-5-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), who’s riding a two-fight winning streak, believes a bout with recent title challenger and fellow PRIDE vet Vitor Belfort (24-11 MMA, 13-7 UFC), would be the perfect addition to the UFC’s upcoming card in Japan, UFC Fight Night 78.
Although the UFC traditionally pairs fighters who are both coming off wins or both coming off losses – and though Mousasi and Belfort obviously don’t fit the bill – it makes sense if you go strictly off rankings. Belfort is ranked No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, and Mousasi is No. 6.
UFC Fight Night 78 takes place Sept. 26 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan – a venue both fighters frequented early in their fighting careers. The bulk of the card, including the recently announced heavyweight headliner between Roy Nelson (20-11 MMA, 7-7 UFC) and Josh Barnett (33-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC), is expected to air on FOX Sports 1.
If he gets his desired fight, Mousasi could find himself with another potential step up the middleweight ladder. After a submission loss to contender Ronaldo Souzai in September, the 29-year-old Dutchman and former Strikeforce/DREAM champion has rebounded with victories over Dan Henderson and Costas Philippou this year.
Belfort, meanwhile, fell short in his bid to dethrone middleweight champion Chris Weidman (13-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) this past Saturday in UFC 187’s pay-per-view co-headliner. The 38-year-old Brazilian, who returned from an 18-month layoff and a string of highlight-reel knockouts, had Weidman in trouble early, but the ex-champ couldn’t seal the deal and ultimately suffered a first-round TKO loss.
(Mmajunkie.com)
Gegard Mousasi Wants Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 78 in Japan
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