UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Gegard Mousasi isn’t a matchmaker or a promotion president. He doesn’t call the shots at Bellator, he just fights.
Sitting atop the 185-pound thrown in the promotion, Mousasi (47-2-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) sees his next challenge, John Salter (18-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA), who he headlines Bellator 264 against Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Arena. Beyond that, however, things are a bit blurry – but one additional name sticks out.
“(John Salter) is the No. 1 contender,” Mousasi told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I don’t know who (Bellator) has in the middleweight division. He was the only guy I thought I was going to fight. There’re no big names yet in Bellator. Yoel Romero is a big name but he’s coming off (three) losses and usually, you fight once and then you fight for the belt. I don’t know.”
Yoel Romero’s recent skid only contains losses to the world’s finest. Consecutive losses to Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Israel Adesanya preceded his UFC exit. Despite the Cuban’s struggle to win, Mousasi still sees Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) as an intimidating force.
“Who wants to fight Yoel Romero?” Mousasi said. “He’s a monster. He’s in Bellator and if he makes middleweight, we’re going to fight. I’m a fighter. If you give me the contract, I’ll fight.”
Another name who could potentially land the next title shot should Mousasi get through Salter is Austin Vanderford, who will be in attendance Friday. Mousasi credits Vanderford (11-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) for his accomplishments thus far, but thinks the levels would be exposed if the two fought.
“I saw his last fight a little bit,” Mousasi said. “He’s good. He’s definitely a tough opponent. He’s undefeated, but he’s not been tested yet against well-known fighters. I don’t know. If he’s the next guy, I’ll fight him.”
Bellator 264 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
