Gegard Mousasi targets 205-pound division after he captures Bellator middleweight title

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Gegard Mousasi’s potential reign in the Bellator middleweight division may be short lived.

Mousasi (42-6-2 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is on the cusp of a title shot at 185 pounds, the division in which he’s embarked on an impressive winning streak in the UFC before signing with Bellator earlier this year. But he is growing weary of the weight cut that gets him there.

“The weight cut is too much,” he told MMAjunkie in advance of his Spike-televised headliner against ex-middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko (56-9 MMA, 12-3 BMMA) at Bellator 185, which takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. “As you get older, it’s too much. I’ve done this too many times. You get tired of it. But middleweight is where I perform at my best.”

Mousasi, a 50-fight MMA veteran, has never missed weight at 185 pounds. He’s flourished in the division, recently going on a five-fight winning streak against top competition in the UFC. He currently stands at No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings.

But Mousasi also has found success at light heavyweight, where he sees himself next if he can capture the Bellator middleweight title from champ Rafael Carvalho (14-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA). Eight years ago, he captured a Strikeforce title at 205 pounds while fighting for Scott Coker, who’s now Bellator’s president.

“First Shlemenko this week, and then I can look forward to the title shot,” Mousasi said. “After that, if I achieve that, light heavyweight.”

Of course, Shlemenko now stands in the way of those plans. The former champ is on a streak of his own, winning six in a row since losing the Bellator middleweight title (a seventh win was overturned to a no-contest when Shlemenko failed a post-fight drug test for steroids).

Another belt would be a nice addition to Mousasi’s mantle. But if Bellator officials signed him to take over as the face of the division, they may need to evaluate their long-term strategy.

Watch the above video to catch Mousasi’s thoughts on his upcoming fight and his future plans.

And for more on Bellator 185, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.