Fighter Profile: Gegard Mousasi

Overall Record: 26-2-1

Height: 6’1” Weight: 205

Age: 24

Nationality: Armenian

Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi is a mixed martial artist who has fought in multiple weight divisions and is currently fighting as a Light Heavyweight for Strikeforce and as a Heavyweight for the DREAM organization. Mousasi is a teammate of top Heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, at the Red Devil International fight club. The 24 year-old Iranian-born Mousasi is a well rounded fighter both on his feet and on the mat.

Debuting in April of 2003 against Daniel Spek, Mousasi earned a quick stoppage when he used his striking skills to finish Spek at the 3:40 mark of the 1st round. He saw continued success throughout his early fighting days going undefeated (5-0-1) in his first six bouts while fighting for five different organizations.

In February of 2005, while fighting for the Fight Festival promotion in Holland, Mousasi was victim to a 2nd round armbar submission courtesy of Lithuanian born Petras Merkevicius for his first career loss. The loss may have worked as motivation for Mousasi, who returned to win his next eight bouts, all but one coming via 1st round stoppage.

As his career began to grow older, the level of competition and the prestige of the organizations that he worked for increased as well. He went from fighting in small to mid level promotions such as Mix Fight Gala and 2 Hot 2 Handle to fighting in top-of-the-line organizations like DEEP and PRIDE.

During his aforementioned eight-fight win streak Mousasi was entered into the 2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix, which took place as part of the PRIDE: Bushido series. “The Dreamcatcher” out worked Makoto Takimoto in the Opening Round at PRIDE: Bushido 11, collecting the TKO victory when Takimoto retired due to a broken eye socket caused by a Mousasi punch midway through the 1st round.

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Mousasi’s winning streak ended when Akihiro Gono slapped an armbar on him in the 2nd round of their Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal bout. Gono used his experience in the grappling department to disguise the neatly-executed armbar submission. Despite the loss, Mousasi returned as an alternate at PRIDE: Bushido 13 against rising prospect, Hector Lombard. Mousasi had to work long and hard before finally earning the unanimous decision victory.

With his name gaining credibility, Mousasi abruptly left the PRIDE organization, instead choosing to fight for a variety of mid-level promotions. Over the next two years, “The Dreamcatcher” fought for the Cage Warriors, M-1, Bodog Fight and Canadian-based HCF organizations, defeating notables such as Gregory Bouchelaghem, for the Cage Warriors Middleweight Championship, Kyacey Uscola, and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos.

In April of 2008, Mousasi was entered into the 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix, where he would be competing against Denis Kang in the Opening Round. Mousasi hustled to out-strike Kang, get him to the ground, and then sink in a fight-ending rear naked choke submission. The Quarterfinal Round was held at DREAM 4 where he was matched up against PRIDE and K-1 veteran Dong Sik Yoon. The South Korean native didn’t make it easy for Mousasi, taking him to a decision, one that Mousasi won on all judges’ scorecards. The Finals were held three months later at DREAM 6 and only Mousasi, Melvin Manhoef, Zelg Galesic, and Ronaldo Souza were remaining. Mousasi took care of tournament favorite, Melvin Manhoef with an easy 1st round rear naked choke submission victory that allowed him to move into the Championship Bout the same night. In the Finals, Mousasi used a rarely seen up kick from his back that sent Souza crashing to the floor, giving Mousasi the first ever DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Championship.

After collecting the Welterweight and Middleweight hardware, Mousasi decided to challenge himself and was entered into the intriguing 2009 DREAM Open Weight Grand Prix opposite of 250-plus pound heavyweight, Mark Hunt. Mousasi again wasted little time in finishing his opponent, using a straight armbar 1:19 into the 1st round to stop Hunt. Mousasi looked dominate in his first bout outside of the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions.

Originally signed to fight Renato Sobral for the Affliction Light Heavyweight Title, the bout was transferred over to the Strikeforce promotion in mid-August when Affliction closed their doors due to financial reasons. Mousasi, making his American debut, impressed many by dominating Sobral with his efficient stand-up game; landing almost every punch he threw until earning the TKO victory at 1:00 of the 1st round to become the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.

Currently riding a thirteen fight winning streak, Mousasi now turns his attention back to Japan and DREAM with the Semifinals of the 2009 Open Weight Grand Prix. Up next is “The African Assassin,” Sokoudjou, who defeated Jan Nortje with a 1st round TKO in the Opening Round. He should pose somewhat of a threat early in the bout for Mousasi, who is always on the mark with his fight planning and stamina. Nonetheless, Mousasi has established himself as a legitimate threat no matter what division he decides to fight in.

Recent Gegard Mousasi MMA News:

• May ’09 – Defeated Mark Hunt at DREAM Open Weight Grand Prix via armbar at 1:19 1st round

• August ’09 – Signed a contract to fight for California-based Strikeforce organization

• August ’09 – Won the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight belt, defeating Babalu via TKO at 1:00 1st round

• Defeated Sokoudjou by TKO (Strikes) on November 7, 2009 at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers - Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers results

• Will fight at the Srtikeforce April 17 event on CBS - Strikeforce April 17 fight card & results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published September 2009, Updated November 2009