NEW YORK — A fall return is the projected timeline for Gegard Mousasi to make his way back to the octagon, according to Lex McMahon, president of Mousasi’s management firm Alchemist.
The 27-year-old Mousasi recently made his UFC debut, defeating Ilir Latifi after his original opponent Alexander Gustafsson was a late scratch, ruled out by the event’s sanctioning body due to a cut above his left eyebrow. After beating Latifi in a decision, Mousasi (34-3-2) revealed that he had competed with an injured knee that would probably require surgery. He did not offer any further details at that time, and McMahon did the same now, declining to answer any questions about the nature of Mousasi’s injury, or even if he underwent the surgery Mousasi predicted he probably would need.
Asked about the discreet handling of the situation, McMahon deferred to his client.
“That’s his style,” he told MMA Fighting. “You have to respect that.”
McMahon said that they are hopeful of getting the Mousasi-Gustafsson pairing sometime in the future, but added that Mousasi’s recent hints about exploring a move to 185 were sincere, saying he might make the downward shift for the right opportunity. Mousasi fought a large portion of his career at middleweight, and was the DREAM champion in the category.
Whether or not he stays at 205 or moves to 185 is a decision which will be made in the future, when Mousasi is ready to return.
“You’ll see him in probably six months,” McMahon said.