Gegard Mousasi becomes DREAM’s first light heavyweight champion
Gegard Mousasi became DREAM's first ever light heavyweight (205lb) title holder after winning the finals of their four-man tournament on Saturday morning at DREAM 16. He defeated Tatsuya Mizuno to win
the belt, and had previously won the promotion's middleweight (185lb) belt.
Mousasi had a lengthy list of mixed martial arts championship titles behind him entering this fight. Mousasi’s resume included championships in DREAM, Strikeforce and Cage Warriors. With his championship
background Mousasi was the overwhelming favourite against the less established Mizuno.
Mizuno came out firing punches and kicks. Mousasi looked very relaxed as he avoided the attempted strikes coming his way.
After circling the ring, Mousasi engaged Mizuno and took him to the ground with a double underhook throw. Mizuno spotted an opening and applied an armbar that the stoic Mousasi slipped out of without taking
any damage.
Mizuno continued to work to get to his feet and eventually got to a half standing position before he was once again taken down.
Mizuno then found an opening and was working on applying a kimura, but Mousasi was once again able to slip his arm from Mizuno’s grasp.
Mousasi was delivering some solid headshots when the referee repositioned the fighters to the centre of the ring. Once the two combatants restarted the contest Mousasi seemed to gain some confidence and
began to get a bit sloppy, allowing Mizuno to briefly take top position.
Mousasi quickly corrected and once again regained full mount. Mizuno then turned his back and Mousasi took the opportunity to apply a rear-naked choke and Mizuno very quickly tapped out.
Mousasi is awarded the first DREAM light heavyweight title belt.
Mousasi moved his record to overall MMA record to 30-3-1 and his DREAM record improved to 7-0. Mizuno fell to 8-6(MMA) and 1-2(DREAM).
Before this fight Mousasi was ranked near the bottom of the top ten light heavyweight fighters in MMA. The win over Mizuno and the DREAM title may not help him in the rankings as Ryan Bader could easily
overtake him. Bader is coming off a victory over a well respected opponent, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, at Ultimate Fighting Championship 119. Additionally Mizuno's low standing means he won't add much to Mousasi's already impressive resume.
The DREAM championship belt does not have the name recognition of a UFC or Strikeforce title. Mousasi may need some victories in Strikeforce to advance in the rankings. A win over Dan Henderson, Renato
Sobral or Muhammed Lawal would definitely help cement Mousasi’s MMA credentials. Mousasi has said he wants a rematch after Lawal took a five-round decision over him in April.
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