MMA Universe

Gegard Mousasi is coming to the UFC. No, the deal hasn’t been signed. There hasn’t even been discussions, as far as I know. The Dutch-Armenian fighter is still under contract with Strikeforce, where he holds the light heavyweight belt. He’s expected to put that belt on the line against wrestler Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in April. And by all accounts he’s very happy with the promotion and the way he’s been treated.

I’m just making a little crystal ball prediction based on a Sherdog report that Mousasi has fired his M-1 Global management team. M-1 Global is the Dutch/Russian company that has a co-promotion deal with Strikeforce. It was M-1’s demand for this kind of deal that prevented its biggest star, Fedor Emelianenko, from signing with the UFC last summer.  

With M-1 out of the picture it clears the way for Mousasi to go wherever he likes. Obviously, the UFC is where the biggest fighters make the biggest money. Seems like a no-brainer. Mousasi, who has been Fedor’s training partner, has recently been training with UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre, who – surprisingly – was cageside at last month’s Strikeforce: Miami event (that couldn’t have sat too well with UFC president Dana White no matter the public face he put on).

The only thing about Mousasi signing with the UFC that gives me pause – and likely gives him pause, too – is that the UFC doesn’t allow its fighters to compete in other promotions. It makes sense. You don’t want your fighters to lend their name, their popularity, to the competition and also take the risk of getting injured while doing it.

 Strikeforce has no such issue. They foolishly allow their fighters to fight wherever and whenever they want with no regard for their Strikeforce obligations. Alistair Overeem is exhibit A in this regard – he hasn’t fought for Strikeforce since he won the heavyweight title two years ago although he’s fought seven MMA bouts and five kickboxing bouts for other promotions in that same time period. Strikeforce even has an “exchange” program with the Japanese-based DREAM organization. That’s good for Mousasi, who’s a DREAM champion and who plans to compete in the DREAM light heavyweight grand prix in May.

 Still, the upside of being in the biggest and most-widely known promotion in the world – and fighting against the best fighters, which Mousasi obviously wants to do – will be too hard to resist.

Strikeforce returns to action this Saturday night and will finally be able to utilize the most valuable asset they acquired when they purchased ProElite’s assets – the CBS Saturday Night Fights contract.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers – Um, do we really even need to discuss this fight at all?

Outside of calling himself “The Grim” and having a tough-guy mohawk, what exactly does Brett Rogers have going for himself in this fight?

A win over James Thompson? Wow, stellar. A victory over Ron Humphries? Well tickle me pink. A victory over Andrei Arlovski? Impressive, but not that impressive considering it was against the 2009 version of Arlovski and not the 2004-05 version.

Fedor is Fedor. Period. Nothing else needs to be said.

Fedor is Fedor.

Rogers has no chance.

Fedor is Fedor.
Fedor is Fedor.
Fedor is Fedor.
Fedor is Fedor.

Winner: Fedor EmelianenkoJake Shields vs. Jason Miller – Jake Shields insists he is still on a machine to get the “respect” that he deserves as a fighter. Personally, I don’t think anyone is sleeping on Jake Shields anymore and that he has all the respect he deserves. Nevertheless, Shields is now trying his hand at middleweight in an attempt to prove his worth and mettle as a competitor.

To me, Jason Miller seems like a perfect opponent for Shield’s debut before a national audience on CBS. While Jason Miller is more known for his flamboyant speech and mannerisms, behind that facade is a truly talented fighter. Miller also brings some huge national name recognition with the younger audience to this fight after his two successful season’s hosting a show on MTV.

Miller has looked strong in his recent battles with Ronaldo Souza, and his grappling in their first matchup was solid. However, I have a strong suspicion that his grappling just isn’t anywhere near good enough to compete with Jake Shields. Shields has turned into something of a submission savant in recent months.

While Miller should put on a good show as always and give Shields a decent test, I fully expect the night to end with Shields holding both the middleweight and welterweight Strikeforce belts above his head.

Winner: Jake Shields

Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Sokoudjou – I don’t really think much analysis needs to be given to the Mousasi vs. Sokoudjou fight. This is a matchup of two fighters headed in completely different directions in their respective careers.

Sokoudjou enjoyed quick notoriety when he quickly dispatched Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in PrideFC back in 2007, but quickly fizzled out and was never able to capitalize on the hype he had created. Losses to Lyoto Machida, Luiz Cane, and Renato Sobral have left the Team Quest member languishing in the DREAM “Super Hulk” tournament, MMA’s version of a circus side show.

Gegard Mousasi, on the other hand, continues to climb to new heights in his career and is now attacking the light heavyweight division. With a 26-2 record, Mousasi rolled through the Japanese middleweight scene losing only to Akihiro Gono in 2006 before winning the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix in 2008.

Mousasi has won his last 13 fights using all many of stoppages to get it done. I see Mousasi defeating Sokou anyway he pleases; by strikes, submission or total humiliation.

Winner: Gegard Mousasi

Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva – Conventional wisdom probably dictates that the more experience Fabricio Werdum should take this fight easily. Werdum has fought vastly superior fighters over his career and is the much better grappler.

However, I’ve watched both these men fight multiple times over the past few years, and I’m going to go against “conventional wisdom” here.

Antonio Silva is really an enigma of a fighter. Silva is surprising quick on his feet for a fighter of his size, and has, what may be a surprise to some, a decent ground game as well.

In my opinion, Werdum simply hasn’t looked impressive at all in his recent fights (save the victory over Gabriel Gonzaga) and I think Silva’s size and striking will give him a run for his money in this fight.

If Werdum show’s up in good shape and with a good game plane (i.e. taking the fight to the ground for a submission) he could very easily win this fight quickly; if not, I look for Silva to win via decision.

Winner: Antonio Silva

That shoulder injury sounded real serious:

Mixed martial arts fans who were disappointed that Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou weren’t meeting in DREAM’s “Super Hulk Tournament,” fear not. “The Dreamcatcher” and “The African Assassin” will instead throw hands at the Nov. 7 “Fedor vs. Rogers” Strikeforce event on CBS.

Unfortunately for the Cameroonian, it won’t be for the Armenian’s light heavyweight title.

MMAmania.com has been able to confirm a Sherdog.com report that upon approval by the Illinois State Athletic Commission, Mousasi vs. Sokoudjou will complete the televised portion of the Strikeforce/CBS event, set to air on network television from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

The two were paired up for a showdown at DREAM 11 as part of the “Super Hulk” semifinals on Oct. 6, until a shoulder injury prevented Mousasi from competing.

He was quickly replaced by the brittle but reliable Bob “The Beast” Sapp, who was unceremoniously destroyed by Sokoudjou in the first round of their contest.

Sokoudjou can use that momentum to try and erase the memories of his recent stateside endeavors. After getting bounced from the UFC after losses to Lyoto Machida and Luis Arthur Cane, the former PRIDE slugger was choked out by Renato “Babalu” Sobral at the January 24 Affliction event.

He rebounded with two wins under the DREAM promotion, first over Jan Norte at DREAM 9 back in May and then the aforementioned TKO over Sapp.

But his return to the states will not be an easy one.

After capturing the DREAM middleweight belt last year, Mousasi embarked on an ambitious 2009 campaign with a move to light heavyweight. In the preliminary round of the “Super Hulk Tournament” at DREAM 9, the 24 year-old Armenian/Dutch fighter easily dispatched of Mark Hunt with a first round submission.

In what was considered perhaps his biggest challenge to date, he scored an emphatic victory over Renato Sobral in his American debut, demolishing the veteran grappler in 60 seconds to capture the Strikeforce 205-pound title at the August 15 “Carano vs. Cyborg” event.

And as it stands, that title will remain around his waist, win or lose.

Headlining the Nov. 7 Strikeforce/CBS event will be a heavyweight clash between former PRIDE champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko and undefeated knockout artist Brett “The Grim” Rogers.

Several of the promotion’s other top fighters will be in action on the card as well, including a Strikeforce middleweight title bout pitting Jake Shields vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller for the 185-pound belt recently vacated by budding film star Cung Le.

For more on Strikeforce: “Fedor vs. Rogers” click here.