M-1 Mixfight editor Michael Mazur recently caught up with a very talented and highly-ranked Gegard Mousasi to talk about his fighting career, upcoming fights and some personal things.
Michael: What languages do you speak?
Gegard: I speak Dutch, English, Farsi and Armenian.
Michael: Now that you live in the Netherlands for so long do you feel like home here?
Gegard: Yes, but in the future I will partly live in Holland and Armenia.
Michael: How does your training regimen look like now?
Gegard: I change it every time for example I do a lot of fitness now to move to 205 division but this will change if I have a fight, then it will be a lot of running and sparring.
Michael: Who would you like to fight?
Gegard: Melvin Manhoef.
Michael: Are there any opponents in Europe who you’d like to fight in particular?
Gegard: Yes I would like to fight some Dutch fighters so I can show to the Dutch fans what I am capable of because I ain’t real popular in Holland that’s why I want to fight against Melvin Manhoef as he is one of the best Dutch fighters.
Michael: I heard you’d like to move up to the heavyweights. Are you not afraid that can slow down your speed? Are you confident you would fair well as a heavyweight?
Gegard: No, if I create muscle it will increase my speed and if I can have the strength of a heavyweight but the speed, movement of a middleweight I will be a force in the division.
Michael: Do you know your next oppopnent?
Gegard: No but it will be in organization of Deep Impact in Japan in January.
Michael: What are your strengths and what aspects of MMA-game you believe you need to work on?
Gegard: I hit hard on the ground or stand up and I am working a lot on takedowns but submissions is the thing that I have to work the most on.
Michael: Have you ever suffered some serious injuries?
Gegard: No I have a lot of luck.
Michael: Who do you look up to in MMA? Who’s your hero or a rolemodel?
Gegard: Fedor, Alexander, Minowa simply not only that they are great fighters, they are also very humble, friendly and helpful people.
Michael: You have one fight left on you contract with HFC. Who do you think they’ll put against you?
Gegard: I don’t have a contract with HFC but my manager told me that I would fight against Cyborg (Evangelista Santos).
Michael: What is the situation with M-1 Global contract?
Gegard: I will have 2 fight deal with M-1 Global and will have the opportunity also to fight in other organizations like bodog or HFC.
Michael: How did you happen to sign with M-1 Mixfight?
Gegard: My manager took care of that. We believe that M-1 Global will be a replacement of Pride FC.
Michael: Will you participate in the inaugural event of M-1 Global in February 2008?
Gegard: The chances are very good.
Michael: Can you tell about your free-time activities?
Gegard: Nothing special just enjoying being home.
Michael: What are your interests beyond MMA?
Gegard: To have my own restaurant and gym.
Michael: Do you work with weight? Some powerlifting?
Gegard: Yes only to move up in division. I don’t think that fitness is good for mma fighters. I do other things as a replacement for fitness.
Michael: What are your favorite movies / actors?
Gegard: My favorite actor is Robert de Niro.
Michael: Any message for your fans or anything you would like to add to this interview?
Gegard: Thank for reading. I will do my best to give you entertaining fights.
