Gegard Mousasi kommer under kvällens gala i London att möta Thales Leites på huvudkortet och förväntar sig en tuffare match än vad som tidigare planerades. Mousasi var tidgare tänkt att möta Michael Bisping, men blev sedan ersatt av den före detta mellanviktsmästaren Anderson Silva.
Bisping was a better match-up for me, I believe, because I had to worry less for the takedowns and obviously Thales Leites’ stand-up has improved a lot. He’s confident in his stand-up, but I believe he will go for the takedown to score points or try to finish the fight. Obviously he’s a tough opponent, very experienced. I don’t think I’m gonna move a lot in the rankings. Obviously, Michael Bisping was a better fight for me style-wise and name-wise, he’s a bigger name. For me, it’s just to prove that (I can) beat everybody and go to fight the top again, so it’s an important fight for me.
Mousasi är dock inte fokuserad på en titelmatch just nu, men hoppas på att klättra upp i rankningarna.
I feel great. I’m very sharp at this moment. Physically, I’m a much better shape than I was last time. I was in great shape last fight too, but physically I think I’m much stronger. The stand-up, I feel great. I feel I’m very sharp now. I’m ready for the fight.
Mousasi tror att Leites kommer att gå på nertagningar när de möts:
He compensates that with aggression, at least in that last fight. He goes for the knockout, so he’s dangerous also on the stand-up. I believe he thinks he’s better on the ground and maybe can finish the fight there. If it goes to the judges, takedowns scores points, but I’m prepared for everything.
I think in the stand-up, I’m better, and he’s going to have difficulties to get the clinch or shoot to take me down. I believe I’m gonna be dominant, if I take him down or if I fight him standing. I will be dominant.
