Gegard Mousasi Looking To Return In March

Gegard Mousasi had a busy 2016, fighting four times and winning four times this year, but he’s not looking to take a long break from competition after defeating Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night 99, in fact, Mousasi wants to return in March.

"I just heard Luke Rockhold is coming back in February or March, and that’s when I’m planning to fight," Mousasi said on The MMA Hour. "I’m going to take a break. It’s too soon for me to fight now. I’m not going to fight anytime sooner. I am going to take my break, and hopefully March. Nothing confirmed, but that is the fight I’m looking for — or a big fight. A big fight like I mean a big name, like Anderson [Silva]. Anderson is a big name. Nick Diaz is a big name. He fought at middleweight, and I’d love to fight him at middleweight."

While a potential third bout with Ronaldo Souza would interest Mousasi, it seems that he would like a fight with Luke Rockhold, who is recovering from a knee injury.

"Not at this moment," he said. "If they give me the fight, March. I take it in March. No, the last time I fought Jacare, I didn’t want to fight. But the UFC, Dana White called me personally, and under pressure I said, okay, I’ll fight. And then fight was one month later. I wasn’t in the mood that fight. I was just coming off the Mark Munoz fight, and they called me for that fight. But I have one fight left to fight for the belt, I believe. So, I’m going to take the fight when I’m ready. I’m not scared to fight anybody. It just has to be smart. I’d rather it be let’s say Luke Rockhold, someone like that. Because I feel there’s much more to gain."

Mousasi has one more fight left on his current UFC contract, he’s not willing to sign a new contract until he finishes up the one he is currently on.

"I am going to fight the contract out," he said. "I feel confident I can beat anybody. But I am going to take it when I’m ready. But I’m not going to rush. My goal is if I fight Luke Rockhold, and I beat him, I’m the next contender," he said. "That’s my plan. So if they want, they’ll have to re-sign me I believe. That’s my goal. Fight Luke Rockhold, and get the next shot."

Mousasi defeated Thales Leites, Vitor Belfort, Thiago Santos and Uriah Hall in 2016, his projected fight in March has yet to be determined.