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?
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