Perennial Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title contender, Vitor Belfort, tonight (Sat., Oct. 8, 2016) was out to prove that he still has more gas in his 39-year-old tank, taking on former Strikeforce and DREAM champion, Gegard Mousasi, in the co-main event of UFC 204 inside Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
The Brazilian might want to instead consider passing the torch, losing via second round technical knockout to "Dreamcatcher."
Mousasi was the one who pressed the action early, closing the distance in an effort to avoid the explosive fast starts of Belfort. Mousasi got a little too close, though, and Belfort began to wail on him as he wisely backed away, landing a nice shot of his own before he was completely out of danger. Mousasi put together a nice combination along the cage moments later and then attempted a takedown, which the Brazilian was easily able to thwart. Mousasi continued to keep up the pressure, following Belfort around the cage and strafing him with leg kicks. Belfort tried to get going with a left high kick, but it missed its mark, but a follow up strike was a bit more accurate. Mousasi did't like that, catching Belfort with a nice jab-cross combination as he was circling away. Mousasi tried to possibly steal the round with late takedown, but the horn blared before Belfort hit the floor.
Mousasi started the second round snapping jabs, as Belfort continued to back up, his left hand cocked, looking to land that one devastating shot. Mousasi caught him with a high kick, which hurt Belfort bad; however, the Brazilian was somehow able to remain on his feet as Mousasi teed off. The fight soon hit the canvas, where Mousasi gained full mount and continued his assault. Belfort tried to defend, but Mousasi was just too much for him to handle. Belfort soon rolled to his side, covered his face and waited for the referee to intervene, which he did at XX of round two.
It was an impressive win for Mousasi. He set the pace, picked his shots and landed them -- accurately -- until he broke the Brazilian legend and beat him at his own game. Belfort never got going and never found a home for his left hand. It was a blowout win for the Dutchman, who can now set his sights on future Top 5 fights.
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