UFC 204 video recap: Gegard Mousasi swarms Vitor Belfort, scores TKO win

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC 204 co-main event between Vitor Belfort and Gegard Mousasi.

In the co-main event of UFC 204, Gegard Mousasi picked up a victory needed to solidify his position at the top of the middleweight division — a second-round TKO of Vitor Belfort.

UFC 204 took place live from Manchester, England on Saturday night. Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson II served as the evening’s main event.

Mousasi, known for his precise jab, picked apart the former light heavyweight champion in the first round. He pressured Belfort constantly in the first five minutes, not allowing the Brazilian to land anything damaging. In the second round, Mousasi came out a bit more fierce, however, and landed a powerful head kick that stunned Belfort. After his opponent fell to the mat, Mousasi followed up with a barrage of vicious ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to intervene.

What was the highlight of the fight?

The highlight of Mousasi vs. Belfort, a fight the former has been clamoring for for what seems to be forever, was obviously the finish. Mousasi’s mix of precision and power makes him one of the most dangerous, well-rounded middleweights in the entire division. But another very interesting part of the fight was just before the finish when Mousasi went from his typical “calm” state, landing just enough strikes to win the round, to his “killer” state. He definitely has two sides in the cage, and he showed both of them on Saturday.

Where do these two go from here?

Mousasi’s in an unfortunate spot in the 185-pound division; he picked up a massive win on Saturday, but won’t find himself anywhere near a title shot. With Bisping still champion, he’ll fight the winner of either Luke Rockhold vs. Ronaldo Souza II or Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero next. It’s somewhat of a mini-tournament at the top of the rankings. Mousasi could fight the winner who isn’t rewarded with a title shot of the two previous fights.

Belfort will — and should — probably retire. That’s the word on the street, anyway, according to a Saturday report. He has already been a UFC titleholder and has nothing left to prove. Without testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT), the 39-year-old hasn’t been the same, proven by a 1-3 record in his last four outings. He has clearly been declining for years. He’s not getting any closer to the middleweight title; just farther away.

Watch now, later, or never?

Mousasi put on a very good performance in Manchester. It’s worth checking out.

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC 204 co-main event between Vitor Belfort and Gegard Mousasi.

In the co-main event of UFC 204, Gegard Mousasi picked up a victory needed to solidify his position at the top of the middleweight division — a second-round TKO of Vitor Belfort.

UFC 204 took place live from Manchester, England on Saturday night. Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson II served as the evening’s main event.

Mousasi, known for his precise jab, picked apart the former light heavyweight champion in the first round. He pressured Belfort constantly in the first five minutes, not allowing the Brazilian to land anything damaging. In the second round, Mousasi came out a bit more fierce, however, and landed a powerful head kick that stunned Belfort. After his opponent fell to the mat, Mousasi followed up with a barrage of vicious ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to intervene.

What was the highlight of the fight?

The highlight of Mousasi vs. Belfort, a fight the former has been clamoring for for what seems to be forever, was obviously the finish. Mousasi’s mix of precision and power makes him one of the most dangerous, well-rounded middleweights in the entire division. But another very interesting part of the fight was just before the finish when Mousasi went from his typical “calm” state, landing just enough strikes to win the round, to his “killer” state. He definitely has two sides in the cage, and he showed both of them on Saturday.

Where do these two go from here?

Mousasi’s in an unfortunate spot in the 185-pound division; he picked up a massive win on Saturday, but won’t find himself anywhere near a title shot. With Bisping still champion, he’ll fight the winner of either Luke Rockhold vs. Ronaldo Souza II or Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero next. It’s somewhat of a mini-tournament at the top of the rankings. Mousasi could fight the winner who isn’t rewarded with a title shot of the two previous fights.

Belfort will — and should — probably retire. That’s the word on the street, anyway, according to a Saturday report. He has already been a UFC titleholder and has nothing left to prove. Without testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT), the 39-year-old hasn’t been the same, proven by a 1-3 record in his last four outings. He has clearly been declining for years. He’s not getting any closer to the middleweight title; just farther away.

Watch now, later, or never?

Mousasi put on a very good performance in Manchester. It’s worth checking out.