Mousasi: "I need to prove something in Holland!"

Thanks to Jurojin boss Ino Alberga, Fighters.com served-up questions with rising middleweight Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1), who will trade strikes with “Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) in Saitama, north of Tokyo, 23 September in DREAM’s Middleweight GP semi-final.

If Mousasi defeats the Dutchman, he’ll move into the final the same night versus the winner of Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked middleweight “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (9-1) and “Benkei” Zelg Galesic (9-3).

Fighters.com: After defeating Denis Kang (29-10-1) at DREAM.2 in 29 April, you called out “Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) for your next fight and had called him out even before then.  Why has Manhoef been on your hit list?

Gegard Mousasi: I consider myself a young, up-and-coming fighter, who has to fight the strongest opponents.  Besides that, it was also a personal thing for me to get more exposure in Holland.  In Holland, most of the people only know “Hurricane” Gilbert Yvel (33-12-1), “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (28-11), and Melvin Manhoef, all of whom I very much respect and with some of them I have had regular trainings.  By fighting Melvin , the people in Holland (and, of course, the rest of the world) will recognize that Holland has a new kid on the block.  I need to prove something in Holland!

Fighters.com: Manhoef comes out aggressively at the bell.  Does he leave himself open at his initial charge?

Gegard Mousasi: I agree that he is very aggressive when he comes out.  Every fighter will have his weakness; but, I consider Melvin as one of the best strikers in the 185-pound category.  But, that makes it more exciting to take the challenge.  I know I can fight him standing up.  He will have problems with my reach.

Fighters.com: How will you use your extra four inches over Manhoef as an advantage?

Gegard Mousasi: Just by using it. big smile  Surprise, surprise!  It’s all in the gameplan. baby!

Fighters.com: Is Manhoef the most dangerous striker you’ve ever fought under MMA rules?

Gegard Mousasi: Yes, but the challenge is good for me.  It makes me train harder.  As I already said, he is one of the best strikers in MMA.  Once again, I like the challenge.

Fighters.com: You’ve never been knocked out.  Manhoef has been submitted in half of his losses.  Is the fight as simple as that?

Gegard Mousasi:  I have never been kayoed.  I know that [Manhoef] has been training with the American Top Team and got special training with one of Holland’s best MMA trainers, “Grizzly” Remco Pardoel (9-6-1).  So, it gives me more motivation to train harder and concentrate more on my game plan.  Actually, I also invested in extra training.  So, I trained several times with Jerrel Venetiaan (4-3), who also trained with “Last Emperorer” Fedor Emelianenko (28-1) for his fight agains “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (23-6-2).  The team I train with gives me so much confidence and supports me really professionally.  I also plan to go over to the Red Devil school in St. Petersburg to train with Fedor and his fighters from the M-1 team challenge.  Also, that gives me much mental support perhaps mostly through the fact that Fedor never allows foreign fighters.  But, I ain’t planning to submit him.  I’m ready for 15 minutes of fight.

Fighters.com: You split time between Holland and Armenia?  How do people in both nations react to you?  Are you recognized on the street in Holland or Armenia?

Gegard Mousasi: I live in Holland; and, now some people know who I am in my city.

Fighters.com: Who’s your pick to win the other semi-final: Souza or Galesic?

Gegard Mousasi: I think “Jacare”; but, Zelg is always dangerous.  In the end, it doesn’t matter.  The final is the final.  I won’t withhold anything!  So, when the bell rings, I will give all my effort to win.  I really respect “Jacare” as well as Zelg; but, since the last grand prix I won versus Hector Lombard at the age of 20, I’ve trained for three years and my only goal is to be the best in my weight category.

Fighters.com: You’ve previously stated that you want to be a restaurateur. It would serve Armenian food?  Do you cook yourself?

Gegard Mousasi: No.  Fast food, MacDonlads. Ha ha!

Read Fighters.com’s original interview with Mousasi to learn more about MMA’s fast-rising middleweight.