Feb
12
2010
0

Breaking News: Gegard Mousasi Severs Ties With M-1 Global.

By Bryan Levick

In what has to be considered great news, especially in light of yesterday’s revelation that Vitor Belfort was out of UFC 112, Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi has left M-1 Global.

Mousasi released the news in an email to Sherdog and the news was confirmed by M-1 Global.

In his statement Mousasi did not disclose who was now representing him, but he did express appreciation for his former management team.

“After careful consideration, I have decided that it is in my best interest to part ways with M-1 Global,” Mousasi wrote in the e-mail. “During the time I spent under their wing, M-1 Global, as a promoter and management company, allowed me to achieve many great things. I appreciate all they have done for me.”

M-1 Global is the representative for Strikeforce heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, and has been a source of contention for the Dana White, and the UFC.

Any time White has tried to sign Emelianenko to compete in the UFC, M-1 Global has insisted on co-promoting any fights their heavyweight is in.

M-1 was accused of holding back an offer from the UFC to Mousasi back in August. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva disputed those claims, but either way it was another black eye for M-1.

Mousasi recently spent two weeks training alongside UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, and the two seemed to hit it off pretty well.

With Mousasi free from the reigns of M-1, it is pretty safe to assume that he will at some point negotiate with the UFC, whenever his contract with Strikeforce runs out.

Mousasi defeated former UFC light heavyweight contender Renato “Babula” Sobral for the Strikeforce crown in August. It took him exactly sixty seconds to dispose of Sobral.

Rumors have been circulating that Mousasi will make his first title defense against Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, although no contracts have been signed, and a specific date has been talked about.

Mousasi has relayed his desire to one day fight inside the octagon, now that he is away from the Russian tyrants, that may happen sooner rather than later.


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