Gegard Mousasi sees his matchup Saturday against Keith Jardine as a huge opportunity.
The bout, set for the main card of Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley,” could set Mousasi up for a title fight against champion Dan Henderson.
“If I win this, I get a title shot in Strikeforce hopefully,” “It all depends of course on how I perform, but I just need to win every fight and I think it will be OK. This fight is important. I think this one is a deal breaker or maker. I need to win this one.”
Mousasi also believes a win over Jardine and a subsequent victory over Henderson could set up another big bout.
“If I win the light heavyweight belt, then there’s more meaning for me to go to the UFC,” he said. “Because then champion versus champion can be done.”
First, though, Mousasi must get by Jardine. The UFC veteran is replacing Mike Kyle, who withdrew from the matchup with a broken hand. Mousasi did not sound fazed by the opponent switch.
“My motivation for training the last couple of weeks was very difficult."
The motivation is there now, however, since the UFC bought Strikeforce.
“There’s a little bit more pressure now because there’s no competition,” Mousasi said. “If you screw up, you’re screwed yourself. There’s more pressure, but other than that, I can just fight the best that I can. I hope they like my style.”
The bout, set for the main card of Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley,” could set Mousasi up for a title fight against champion Dan Henderson.
“If I win this, I get a title shot in Strikeforce hopefully,” “It all depends of course on how I perform, but I just need to win every fight and I think it will be OK. This fight is important. I think this one is a deal breaker or maker. I need to win this one.”
Mousasi also believes a win over Jardine and a subsequent victory over Henderson could set up another big bout.
“If I win the light heavyweight belt, then there’s more meaning for me to go to the UFC,” he said. “Because then champion versus champion can be done.”
First, though, Mousasi must get by Jardine. The UFC veteran is replacing Mike Kyle, who withdrew from the matchup with a broken hand. Mousasi did not sound fazed by the opponent switch.
“My motivation for training the last couple of weeks was very difficult."
The motivation is there now, however, since the UFC bought Strikeforce.
“There’s a little bit more pressure now because there’s no competition,” Mousasi said. “If you screw up, you’re screwed yourself. There’s more pressure, but other than that, I can just fight the best that I can. I hope they like my style.”
