Gegard Mousasi stakes claim after 85-second KO at Bellator 275: ‘I’m the best middleweight in the world’

Gegard Mousasi is still planning on making the move up to light heavyweight to challenge for a second title — as long as the money is right.

Mousasi successfully defended his middleweight title in just 85 seconds when he viciously stopped Austin Vanderford in the main event of Friday’s Bellator 275 event in Dublin, Ireland. While he was always hesitant in the past to state that he was the best fighter in the world, Mousasi now has no issue saying it as he plans to challenge the winner of the light heavyweight grand prix this year between Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson.

“I feel like I’m the best middleweight in the world now,” Mousasi said at the event’s post-fight press conference. Although I have never stated that, it was because I didn’t believe I was the greatest, on this particular day I am the best. Tomorrow is unknown, but I am the best today.

“If I go up [in weight], I’ll still be successful, I don’t doubt it. However, every fight I would have to lose weight and strength. That’s not how my strength. If the man [not] is drinking the juice, they are not physically equal to me [at 185].. But if I go up, I’ll give my advantages away, but I promised to do it, so we’ll do it. But I don’t give a f*ck about belts, I’m here to make money.”

As far as his fighting future beyond this year goes, the 36-year-old remains undecided at this point. Mousasi hopes to make 2022 his most active campaign in the last several years.

“In the middle of the calendar year I will fight again and at the end of this year I’ll again fight,” Mousasi stated. “I will sit [after that] to evaluate my career and make a decision about whether or not I want to go on.” For me, I have two more fights that I’ll concentrate on.”

Conor McGregor was in Ireland and became a talk point. This happened after Mousasi revealed the origin his dislike for McGregor during Wednesday’s episode The MMA Hour ..

According to a reporter on site at Bellator 275, McGregor apparently told Vanderford to “rip his head off” in regards to Mousasi. At first, the champion thought the reporter was talking about McGregor delivering the devastation, not him relaying hopes to another fighter.

“He would have come. I spoke with his coach, and my brother is there,” Mousasi stated. He would have died. I swear to God. He is aware. We’re not f*cking around with that guy. Although I do not know the truth, I am open to hearing his story.

” If he wishes to come, then he is allowed. I’m not kidding.”

The reporter then clarified that it was McGregor saying that to Vanderford, which added some positivity and a smirk to Mousasi.

“Lucky For him, he’s short,” Mousasi stated.