Gegard Mousasi vs Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou non-title fight booked for Nov. 7 Strikeforce event
by Jesse Holland on Oct 9, 2009 11:44 AM EDT
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Mixed martial arts fans who were disappointed that Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou weren't meeting in DREAM's "Super Hulk Tournament," fear not. "The Dreamcatcher" and "The African Assassin" will instead throw hands at the Nov. 7 "Fedor vs. Rogers" Strikeforce event on CBS.
Unfortunately for the Cameroonian, it won't be for the Armenian's light heavyweight title.
MMAmania.com has been able to confirm a Sherdog.com report that upon approval by the Illinois State Athletic Commission, Mousasi vs. Sokoudjou will complete the televised portion of the Strikeforce/CBS event, set to air on network television from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
The two were paired up for a showdown at DREAM 11 as part of the "Super Hulk" semifinals on Oct. 6, until a shoulder injury prevented Mousasi from competing.
He was quickly replaced by the brittle but reliable Bob "The Beast" Sapp, who was unceremoniously destroyed by Sokoudjou in the first round of their contest.
Sokoudjou can use that momentum to try and erase the memories of his recent stateside endeavors. After getting bounced from the UFC after losses to Lyoto Machida and Luis Arthur Cane, the former PRIDE slugger was choked out by Renato "Babalu" Sobral at the January 24 Affliction event.
He rebounded with two wins under the DREAM promotion, first over Jan Norte at DREAM 9 back in May and then the aforementioned TKO over Sapp.
But his return to the states will not be an easy one.
After capturing the DREAM middleweight belt last year, Mousasi embarked on an ambitious 2009 campaign with a move to light heavyweight. In the preliminary round of the "Super Hulk Tournament" at DREAM 9, the 24 year-old Armenian/Dutch fighter easily dispatched of Mark Hunt with a first round submission.
In what was considered perhaps his biggest challenge to date, he scored an emphatic victory over Renato Sobral in his American debut, demolishing the veteran grappler in 60 seconds to capture the Strikeforce 205-pound title at the August 15 "Carano vs. Cyborg" event.
And as it stands, that title will remain around his waist, win or lose.
Headlining the Nov. 7 Strikeforce/CBS event will be a heavyweight clash between former PRIDE champion Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko and undefeated knockout artist Brett "The Grim" Rogers.
Several of the promotion’s other top fighters will be in action on the card as well, including a Strikeforce middleweight title bout pitting Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller for the 185-pound belt recently vacated by budding film star Cung Le.
For more on Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Rogers" click here.
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i hope soko catches him and knocks him out… but wouldn’t put my money on it.
the ufc should sign bigfoot after this event to fight big nog
by Mikeybear on Oct 9, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
why is this fight happening? and why is not a title fight? if they dont feel soko is worthy of a title fight, then find someone who is. this is PROOF that Strikeforce is in no way, shape, or form competition for the UFC.
by ---Caesar--- on Oct 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
We were discussing this below and the only reason we can think of that makes sense is that because it’s on CBS they might not have time for a 5 round fight if all the fights happen to go the distance.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Caesar, are you even thinking when you write?
Fedor-Rogers, Shields-Miller, Werdum-Silva and now Mousassi-Soku…Free on TV.
You must really hate MMA to even say thats not competition for UFC or a GREAT fight card to say the least.
Any fan here will agree that that is a fantastic card, and seeing it for free makes it even better.
I can’t wait… War Fedor/Mousassi/Shields/Silva.
by Instant_Noodle on Oct 9, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just thinking about why this may not be a title fight. Do you think it could be because Soko isn’t under contract with Strikeforce? They may not want another Cung Le/Overeem situation where a belt is held hostage for months on end. I honestly don’t know if Soko is under contract with Strikeforce and I am too lazy to look it up right now, but if not, that could very well be the reason it’s not a title fight.
by Diceman on Oct 9, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That could be another reason but you think Strikeforce would try and get him signed they need all the fighters they can get and Soko is one of the best unsigned free agents?
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow instant noodle, your’re really going out on a limb…re:War Fedor/Mousassi/Shields/Silva.
Ps. The Thierry v Mousassi fight is only happening b/c most fans know Thierry from the UFC, and they need “brand” names, and an easy win for Gegard, while gaining USA and Canada recognition.
Similar to Rampage v. Eastman…
by Randy on Oct 9, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
its a great fight! Sure soko isnt much of a mixed martial artist, but match him up with someone that is willing to strike with him and you usually get some very entertaining fireworks…Not to many people will want to stand with MOousasi..Lucky for us fans that Soko has no choice, so Gegard will get to show off his striking!
by john G on Oct 9, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Yaaaawwwnnn! Mousasi ko in the first 2 minutes.
by DSmith on Oct 9, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Once again as soon as Sok starts showing new folds to his game and starts developing they throw him under the bus again. He had a good thing going fighting cans in Japan so that he can catchup but now he’ll get murdered and sent to the bottom again. Useless.
by NameNotRequired on Oct 9, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Completley Agree…If it stays standing Sokodjou is going to Ko him for sure due to way superior stand up more versatile stand up alot more Ko power but it can hit the ground pretty fast..We all seen sokodjou get destroyed there
by Spidey on Oct 9, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
i think Gegard takes this one of the ground…Soko has some serious power at the beginning of fights (when he’s not gassed, which alwaysss happens)
It’s hard to fight Soko standing because he has such serious power inside and with his kicks. It’s basically pick you poison, but Gegard keeps so cool and calm, he doesn’t get overwhelmed.
I got Mousasi by TKO (ground and pound) or submission. Late second round early third round.
by Blunt N' Beer on Oct 9, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
1st round domination for gegard i see Soko giving up his back and getting choked out. He does have a strikers chance if gegard gets careless but I can’t see that happening.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL – Funny as hell but Gegard has this anyway he wants
by Big Zino on Oct 9, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Soko ever going to get an easy fight? Why does it seem like every promotor hates this guy? Gegard 2nd round KO. Brutal KO too.
by jay on Oct 9, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
cause he won those 2 fights in pride. they threw him with the wolves and he knocked em out. let me just say though, im a huge fan of the ufc but this card is stacked and im def excited to see every fight on the televised card
by brandon on Oct 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Only because you are a big UFC fan, you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying MMA elsewhere.I take it wherever I can get it, and when it’s an excellent card thats put together, even better.
Gergard should take this one, but Soko’s stand up is no joke, I am sure he has improved a great deal since his UFC losses. He’s like the Kongo of the divsion but with judo. Dangerous fight for Gergard
by Ade on Oct 9, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
He has no cardio either. Good fighters, unlike Sapp and Nortje, know they can weather his intial storm, wait for him to gas, then finish him. Dude is way overrated because of two fluke KO’s he had.
by Felix by day, El Mexicutioner by night on Oct 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Soko’s problem is NOT cardio. It is his mental part of the game…kind of like Belfort except worse. Soko can’t seem to hang in there when he gets ground and pounded. Just watch all his losses..it is all ground and pound.
Mousasi will take this to the ground like how Lyoto did and ground and pound Soko’s “will to fight.”
When he loses this fight, will Soko fight Minowaman in the highly anticipated SuperHulk Tournament? I kind of feel bad for Minowa (he has like 60 fights under his belt and most of them he lost via brutal KO) but at the same time I love seeing brutalities.
by Ricard Arona on Oct 9, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
since you mentioned it, Ricard, why did Machida take that fight to the ground? I missed that one. Did he take him down intentionally or follow him after a knockdown or what? Just trying to figure why a guy who’s possibly the best striker in MMA would take a fight to the ground.
by shonuff on Oct 11, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions
his last 2 fights seemed pretty easy
by Nor Cal Mexican on Oct 9, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you really that dumb jay?
by Felix by day, El Mexicutioner by night on Oct 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You don’t think Soko’s competition has been a little rough on him? He isn’t that good and they throw him in with Lyoto now this???? I knew Mexicans were stupid but you are over doing it.
by jay on Oct 9, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Lyoto was how many fights ago? Talk about stupid.
I mean, you really have to suck when the only wins you can puul off lately are against cans like Nortje and Sapp, right stupid?
I dont know, maybe you just like how African balls taste or something, not that there is anything wrong with that.
by Felix by day, El Mexicutioner by night on Oct 9, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
See how uncool it is when someone you don’t know makes a stupid comment about you?
by jay on Oct 9, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Do I have to give you a total run down of his career? Tell me someone with a schedule worse than his? I’m just going to go get a glass of tap water, did that make you jealous?
by jay on Oct 9, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Did I say I liked the guy somewhere? Of course he sucks, therefore he should get easier competition. Is english your first language?
by jay on Oct 9, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
you asked if he was ever gonna get an easy fight, his last 2 fight s were easy unless you think Sapp and Nortje are good
by Nor Cal Mexican on Oct 9, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
soko has def had the hardest road for a fighter ever with the fights he had to take though i must say
by brandon on Oct 9, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
nope. Jardine. He fought Bonnar, Willy~G, Forrest, Chuck, Wand, Vera, Rampage, T.Silva. Pretty much EVERYONE minus Shogun and Machida.
by Synyster on Oct 9, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Ahh – Obviously I know who Gouveia is…
I missed that one.
by Big Zino on Oct 9, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
True DAT, Synyster! Jardine has fought more top-10 fighters than most champions. I bet he whoops Rashad’s butt every day in training. Notice how Rashad is always saying “Jardine is my boy” but you don’t hear Jardine saying that. It’s just like Tito always saying “Chuck is my boy” to avoid giving Liddell a title shot all those years that Chuck was gatekeeping and blocking all the top contenders from getting shots at Tito’s belt.
by shonuff on Oct 11, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions
This fight will be pretty much like Babalu´s fight. Mousasi will murder Thierry Sokoudjou.
The should bring this kid to the UFC.
by ThiagO on Oct 9, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions
Babalu had no chance standing up but a pretty descent chance on the ground. Soko has no chance on the ground, but his stand up is definately not below Mousasi’s. I see him putting up a better fight than Babalu and definately getting to the second round. I wouldn’t mind him being in the UFC, but I prefer the fact that he is free to fight in Japanese events and hasn’t got his nuts in a vice like all fighters in the UFC have. As a sport fighters should be allowed to fight the best fighters wherever they like, regardless of organization just like the best players in tennis , golf and the different boxing organizations do, but the UFC is a business and all it out to do is make money, and as much as dislike the fact that they do not cross promote, I can understand why they don’t.
by Ade on Oct 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah really I thought gegard was maybe facing a HW? I would like to know the reasoning for this too unless they don’t have time on CBS to have a 5 round fight if all the fights happen to go the distance other than that I can’t think of a reason why.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Time issue seems most likely to me. I also thought he may be facing a HW, but I guess not. Anyone else as excited as me that we get Bigfoot/Werdum instead of a Cyborg fight? What an awesome trade-off.
by Diceman on Oct 9, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Soko beefed up for his last HW fight and doesn’t want to cut back down. Or maybe Mousassi is coming in too light (didn’t he just come up from Middleweight). I think if there’s too much weight difference the sanctioning body may not allow a title fight.
by shonuff on Oct 11, 2009 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions
My guess is they don’t have enough airtime with the other title fight on the same night. It really is stupid though. If Mousasi loses, there goes the legitmacy of their lhw title. How can you still call yourself champ if you lose a match in the very division that you hold the belt?
by tiger_style on Oct 9, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
If that happens it’s going to look like a wrestling match with a bad-guy champion who’s about to lose to the good guy, but then Vince McMahon runs out just before the good guy gets the pin and declares it a non-title fight. Except MMA is supposed to be on the up-and-up, not advancing storylines.
by PW on Oct 9, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
This card is shaping up to be awesome.
Although, the Carano/Cyborg card started out great to, and we all saw what happened…
by Miketsi on Oct 9, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions
Fortunately this card is just a month away so people better not be getting hurt at this point.
by Ed on Oct 9, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
It’s funny how the UFC only lets their fighters fight 2-3 times a year. And it seems like some other organizations don’t care if their guys fight every other month.
by ducknow on Oct 9, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
What top fighter outside the UFC has fought every month or for that matter 4-6 times a year?
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Mousasi fights (or at least has fought) very frequently.
by frosnt on Oct 9, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah mousasi got a lot of fights in the last couple years but a lot was due to them being quick fights and gegard was physically able too. The UFC has X amount events and X amount of fighters that add up to fighters getting an average of around 3 fights a year but really that is probally par for most pro fighters in MMA wich is what I ment there are a few dream guys that fight over and over but usually like gegard they are schooling their opponents with little damage to themselves.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Matt Hughes fought GSP and Penn in a 3 month period 2 yrs ago….Kos fights all the time…any more examples
by Robert(1) on Oct 9, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you imagine, Gegard Moussasi vs Lyoto Machida. This I would like to see! Heck, you can even put Anderson Silva against this dude, that would be a fight to see.
by PACO on Oct 9, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions
Little NOg, Evans, tito(in the futre?), Wandy, Henderson, Bones & Bader in the future, Belfort & good old Franklin! There are a lot of match ups that would be great to see him face in the UFC.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So can anyone think or better yet know of any reason this isnt a title fight? does it have to do with the athletic commission? you wouldnt think strikeforce would perfer it this way would you? How do you explain that to the casual fans if there is an upset and mousasi loses?
by merv on Oct 9, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
I dont know, my thought is maybe because Strikeforce just dont have the quality or range of fighters that would qualify for being a title contender. Thierry’s record is hardly title shot worthy, in any way. Why risk giving him a title shot to a relative no-one? However, he is a name, so giving him a non-title shot is a win win for Strikeforce.
Just a thought.
by UK_Chris on Oct 9, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh I think the idea of time constraints makes more sense. Soko is one of the best 205ers outside of the UFC so if he’s not worthy I don’t know how many people area. Besides, it’s not like people would consider Mousasi to be the real champion if he lost, anyway. The belt may not be on the line but it’s not very different from a real title shot except for the 3 rounds instead of 5.
Not that it matters what’s on the line bc Mousasi is gonna wreck Sokodjou.
by frosnt on Oct 9, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re in all likelihood right about Mousasil crushing Soko before the championship rounds come into play. Still, I think if Soko is worthy of a fight with Mousasi then he’s worthy of holding the belt if he wins.
by PW on Oct 9, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe its just time constraints for the broadcast they probably dont have time for a another 5 rounder (even though i dont think anyone thinks Fedor/Rogers goes to the 2nd) but they are probably hoping to broadcast lashleys potential tbd fight or another undercard. Im actually going to this event, I live in chicago, i dont think ill be dissapointed in gergard/soko cause I dont think this is gonna go 3 rounds, either soko comes out like a banshee and gets the upset, or the more likely scenario is gergard ends it however he wants, especially if soko’s gas tank is still an issue
by merv on Oct 9, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s most likely because they only have time for three round fights on CBS and title fights are 5 rounds.
by Puck Head on Oct 9, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow… November is going to be sick!! 2 UFC Events and pretty stacked fight card on CBS, does it get any better??
by Hooner on Oct 9, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions
Good fight, but all I see is a Gegard Mousasi wrecking machine. War Mousasi, please, please, for the love of all things precious, when your done with these dweebs, PLEASE come to UFC.
by UK_Chris on Oct 9, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
I wasnt too sure about Mousasi at first, but this kids a beast. He needs to be in the UFC giving Machida and Anderson a run for their money. Honestly, he looks indestructible.
by BoBBy on Oct 9, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions
Great reporting: Something noteworthy is happening, unique twist, that is all.
Come on MMAmania you are ALWAYS better at this. That’s why I and a lot of others read this blog; it’s a great source of info (not incomplete rambling like other blogs). At least try to give us an update as to why it’s not a title fight when you know please.
by Striker Dave on Oct 9, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
gregard is going to beat the living crap out of him. period.
by sugafoot on Oct 9, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions
gegard* is going to beat the living crap out of him. period
by sugafoot on Oct 9, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions
Hopefully all these fights hold up cause its a nice looking card!
by Oil Pimp on Oct 9, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions
why is this not for a title…is this wwe or what?
by joe daddy on Oct 9, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions
Can’t wait to see the Dream Catcher destroy this fool! Soko might last 2 mins before he gasses.
by Oil Pimp on Oct 9, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions
this is NOT a title fight probably because of contract reasons.
Strikeforce has 2 fight policy for title bouts, i.e. you have to give the strikeforce champion a rematch. I believe Soko is a loan from Dream to Strikeforce…so it makes sense that Soko doesn’t get title bout.
by Ricard Arona on Oct 9, 2009 6:23 PM EDT reply actions
This card stands to be the best card on paper of the year. Period. Even if it was 50.00.
Haters gon hate. Losers. Stick with Dana and believe there is nothing else in the world. Who cares? This is amazing to view on live tv.
Their is obviously a sensible reason why its not a title fight, and it would wreck very little in the grand scheme of things if he were to be beaten. Just sets up for an instant grudge rematch for the belt. Good storyline.
Also I’m glad gegard stuck with STRIKEFORCE and knows that their a great organization that will always look after him. If he comes to the UFC so be it. If not? Ill always be watching anyways.
Good job FEDOR! Good job moussasi! Its guys like you, who will make Dana pay his fighters eventually
by Daniel worby on Oct 9, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions
heres a question for you all, how would fedor beat big foot?
by Sky on Oct 10, 2009 2:25 AM EDT reply actions
He’s Fedor, dontchaknow! He’ll launch ICBMs from his rectal sphincter aimed at Silva’s enormous chin, which will detach and be used to build a roller coaster at the new Leno-Land amusement park. Fedor isn’t afraid of Bigfoot. He’s been training with Yeti and Sasquatch for years.
by shonuff on Oct 11, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions
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