Should Mousasi Remain at Middleweight?
Many consider the 23 year old Armenian, Gegard Mousasi, one of the top five middleweights in the world. His unique blend of Dutch kickboxing and Judo has resulted in an impressive 24-2-1 record and the reputation of the most dangerous middleweight outside of the UFC.
Recently Mousasi announced he was leaving the realm of 185 lbs., and entering the ranks of the light heavyweight division. To welcome the “Young Vagabond,” DREAM has arranged for the very talented UFC flunk-out Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou to be his first opponent.
Mousasi’s choice to move up a weightclass has left some scratching their heads; such a dominate, young fighter with a unique blend of skills leaving his weightclass and title?
Outside of the UFC, the middleweight division does get a little thin, and Mousasi is the big name that has never made an appearance in the UFC. Robbie Lawler jumps to mind as a highly rated, non-UFC middleweight opponent, but would require a move by Mousasi to the smaller promotion of Strikeforce from the larger, Japanese-based DREAM.
Jorge Santiago is another middleweight possibility, but his poor stint in the UFC, including a KO loss to Chris Leben, hangs a bit over his head. Similarly, Vitor Belfort has the talent of a top fighter, but has an inconsistent past that makes Mousasi vs. Belfort a tough sell as a “superfight”.
Moving to light heavyweight gives Mousasi the option of a true “superfight” by jumping to Affliciton and fighting Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira.
It appears that Mousasi is looking to answer the size questions in his first light heavyweight fight, as he will face a much larger fighter in Sokoudjou. While Sokoudjou and Mousasi are both 6′0″, Sokoudjou could easily fight at heavyweight and is an extremely powerful striker.
Mousasi, on the otherhand, has a similar body type to Dan Henderson; a very slim and lean 6′0″ (6′1″ in Henderson’s case) but a strentgh and leverage beyond the eyeball test.
Sokoudjou possesses a very interesting blend of Mauy Thai and Judo, but his guard and cardio have been serious problems in the past. As a result, Sokoudjou’s results have yet to match his talent. Sokou does have power to spare and could take Mousasi’s head off with a solid kick, and will likely be able to muscle the smaller Armenian around.
Sokoudjou’s biggest advantage aside from size is his unmatched explosiveness in the the first round. He commits to strikes like no other fighter, and this really is the reason why he runs out of gas so quickly.
Mousasi’s main advantage will lay on the ground, with eight submissions wins to his credit. Mousasi also has superior footwork and can paint the canvas until Sokoudjou gasses himself out. Mousasi’s main concern will be not allowing Sokoudjou to smother him with size and strength.
Sokoudjou is in something of a lose-lose situation in this fight. If he wins, he simply beat a smaller fighter who made a mistake moving up a weightclass. If Sokoudjou looses, it will be his third loss in a row and fourth in five fights; a virtual death sentence for his big promotion hopes.
In any event I certianly will be watching when these two collide.
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