Gegard Mousasi Says Uriah Hall is a Detour on His Way to a Title Shot

Gegard Mousasi spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night 99. Some highlights are below:

On taking the short-notice fight against Hall: “You need circumstances. A lot of times you need luck. So for me it worked out well, but I wasn’t thinking they would do the rematch. …They needed a main event so they contacted me and asked me if I wanted it and I said yes, then they called Uriah and we have the fight. I’m happy. It’s a quick turnaround (from my last fight). It’s better for me. Don’t need to get chubby, don’t need to get out of shape. If I fight next month I will do it again.”

On fighting Hall instead of getting closer to a title shot: “It’s just a detour. I need to settle the score and after this, if I win, probably some guy like Luke Rockhold. ‘Jacare’ (Souza) I fought twice, so he’s the next guy that’s going to get me a title shot. I’m very close. It’s a risky fight for me to take this one. But it’s a fight, that’s what I do. We’ll see how it goes. The first fight I think I was rushing in too much. I wanted to finish him very bad. I wanted to make a statement. This fight I’m going to take my time. I’m going to pick my shots and I will be just fine. I’m away of the spinning back kicks. He’ll have to come up with something new. But overall my standup is good, so I’m not worried.”

On his loss to Hall: “It’s a fluke because let’s say if we fight 10 times, nine times I’m going to beat him. But he won fair and square. He landed the kick. He did that kick. I can’t take that away. He’s not a cheater, he didn’t do anything. You have to give the credit he deserves. I feel like I’m the better fighter and just to prove that and nothing else. I got nothing personal against him. Hopefully he doesn’t have something personal against me. It’s just a fight. Afterwards I’m going to shake hands with him and it’s done. We’re not like the women fighters who hold grudges. You know women.”

On his plan for a title shot: “(This fight is) going to get me another win and then a matchup with like Luke Rockhold, he’s the next guy, or Anderson (Silva), he’s a big name, it always makes sense for me. I need one more fight after this to fight for the belt. I need to win this one first then the next one if very important. I need to be a contender and then I will fight for the belt,” he continued. “Once I win it then hopefully people know (I deserve a shot). Of course (Bisping) has to deal with Yoel Romero now. You have ‘Jacare’ waiting for him and then after that it’s not really decided who’s next. I’m coming, but I have to win. I just need to perform and I need to perform on Saturday night.”