BUFFALO, N.Y. – Gegard Mousasi wants to the UFC to show him the money after his victory over former UFC champ Chris Weidman at UFC 210.
Mousasi (42-6-2 MMA, 9-3 UFC) defeated Weidman (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) by controversial second-round TKO in Saturday’s middleweight co-headliner at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., in what was the final fight on his current UFC contract. He said remaining with the UFC would be his top choice, but only if he’s given a new contract that meets his standards.
“I should get paid,” Mousasi told reporters at UFC 210’s post-fight news conference. “I’ve defeated (Ronaldo) ‘Jacare’ (Souza), I’ve defeated Mark Hunt, I’ve defeated Dan Henderson, I’ve defeated Vitor Belfort, I’ve defeated Weidman. Who else? All these guys I’ve defeated, and they’re making more money than me. What is it? My nationality? Do you want me to dye my hair blonde? What the (expletive)?
“I am one of the best. I should get paid like one of the best. There’s nothing wrong with me. Just pay me what I’m worth. I’m a fair guy. I’m not asking more than what I deserve. You think I cannot beat (UFC middleweight champion Michael) Bisping? I cannot talk like him? What is it?”
Although beating Weidman should be regarded as one of the top accomplishments of Mousasi’s career, the way in which the fight ended took away some of the luster. Mousasi landed a pair of knees to Weidman which at first were deemed illegal by referee Dan Miragliotta, but upon further review they were clean and “The Dreamcatcher” was awarded the TKO win.
It wasn’t the winning fashion Mousasi was hoping for, but he’s aware the blame for the strange ending to the contest doesn’t fall on him, either.
“I have a lot of respect for Weidman I don’t want to talk bad about him but at the end of the day if you want to play smart and try to take advantage of the rules, that’s not my fault,” Mousasi said. “If you want to put your hands down so I cannot knee you, you’re fighting. Don’t try to take advantage of the rules. I’m fighting at the end of the day it was legal. That’s what everyone says now. It was legal. I don’t make the rules. It was legal and I felt he didn’t want to continue and everyone saw that. He didn’t want to continue. How is that my fault? I don’t give a (expletive). I won.”
Weidman immediately called for a rematch after UFC 210, and Mousasi said he would be open to it. His ideal scenario would be to get a title shot after putting together a five-fight winning streak, but with champion Bisping slated to defend against Georges St-Pierre later this year, he knows that’s not a realistic hope.
If Mousasi does indeed re-sign with the UFC, he said he would take whatever fight the UFC brass deems appropriate for him, and that includes a second go with Weidman.
“If he wants his rematch I can give it to him but at the end of the day I’m chasing the title,” Mousasi said. “If I fight Bisping I think I would be the favorite. Fighting Weidman is tough. It was a tough fight. First round he won, the second I was coming back and I hurt him. I don’t know. I’m not the matchmaker.”
For complete coverage of UFC 210, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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