The wait is over. We finally get to see Gegard Mousasi at Middleweight inside the Octagon. His opponent, former LHW champion, Lyoto Machida presents a considerable challenge, but nobody ever said the road to the top was going to be an easy one. The two will be main eventing in Brazil where Machida will have the hometown advantage, but that won’t deter Mousasi at all.
Bloody Elbow recently spoke with Gegard who discussed his upcoming bout, training more seriously and the importance of being economical with his finances. Here’s what he had to say:
Taking Training More Seriously
Now, I have good coaches. I think that’s the most important thing. Sparring partners I lack sometimes, but I have some friends that are big guys that help me out. I’ve also matured a good bit and am a lot smarter now about my training, and about getting in there and getting it done. I take it more seriously than I used to. Back then, I would train two times in a day and would get tired. Instead of taking some rest, I would go back and train a third time. I know myself and my body better now, so I know how far I can push myself. My coaches keep me on track and I’m just in a better place overall.
Being Financially Conscious
Higher quality training does cost a little more, but it’s nothing like in the US. It’s very expensive to have all the different coaches and stuff. A lot of the people that come in to help me are there because they care about me. Of course everyone has to get paid, but I really feel like the people I’ve surrounded myself care about me. What I pay them doesn’t seem like such a big deal when you know you can count on these people like family.
You do have to pay attention though. You have to pay managers, coaches, training partners, nutritionists, and from the dollar to the Euro, I lose a lot of money there. I have to pay taxes in Holland and so on and so on. At the end, it doesn’t look like it once did on paper. My brother handles the finances for me, and he tries to keep the costs down as much as possible.
Stacking Up With The Top 5 Middleweights
At middleweight, I don’t see anyone that I cannot beat. I feel comfortable fighting against any opponent. After this fight, I’d prefer to fight more of a stand up fighter, but first, I have to get through Machida.
Who is the best fighter in MMA currently?
The guy that I really like to watch is Cain Velasquez. He’s so conditioned, and he goes full throttle from start to finish. He’s the guy that really looks like a killing machine. There are other fighters that are good, like Jon Jones, but he paces himself and takes his time. Cain Velasquez always goes in with a purpose, and that’s to destroy. I think he’s the best fighter right now.
Staying At Middleweight
I want to stay at 185 now that I’m in the UFC. I could see maybe taking a big fight at light heavy if they really needed me to, but that’s the only way. I don’t really want to be going up and down. I just want to focus on one division, and that’s middleweight.
Judges & Decisions
I try not to think about the judges not getting it right, but I already know that if I want to win, I’ve got to do it so convincingly and so big in the margins, that there is no doubt. I know I have a little bit of a disadvantage fighting him in Brazil, but I don’t expect any problems and I hope the judges will do a good job.
Machida
He’s a smart fighter. He lures you in, and even though he doesn’t do a whole lot, what he does, he does well. I just have to be calm and not get irritated. The stand-up I’m not worried about. I will do just fine there, and on the ground also. I just have to fight smart.
You can follow Gegard via his Twitter account, @mousasi_mma
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