The UFC debuted in the Philippines on Saturday, and the co-main event was an interesting one.
Middleweights Costas Philippou and Gegard Mousasi battled it out in a pivotal bout that had heavy implications in the division. It was expected to be a striking battle, but it turned out to be a bout heavily littered with grappling.
After three rounds, Mousasi won an easy decision that was never in doubt. He was able to score takedowns and control the ground action, which ultimately earned him the 30-27 nod on the scorecards.
What did we learn from this bout? Let’s take a look, as this fight brought great insight.
What We’ll Remember from This Fight
In all honesty, we aren’t going to remember much from this bout.
Had it been a dogfight on the feet, this may have been a classic. However, it turned into a strategically smart battle, where Mousasi dominated the boxer on the ground.
Don’t expect this to top the “all-time great” category.
What We Learned About Mousasi
We always think of Mousasi as a boxer, but he is a great grappler as well.
I know: Philippou is not going to be confused with one of the Gracie family members when it comes to ground work. However, Mousasi showed that he can not only dominate on the ground but also achieve the takedown.
That helped put down fans’ past criticisms of his lack of wrestling.
He’s definitely a dark horse to watch in the future.
What We Learned About Philippou
Philippou needs to work on his grappling.
There is no doubt that Philippou is one of the best strikers in the middleweight division. However, if opponents are able to put him on his back, he is like a fish out of water.
It’s back to the drawing board for Philippou, who needs to prove he can be a well-rounded monster.
What’s Next for Mousasi?
Luke Rockhold should be the next title challenger. That means Ronaldo Souza will need a dance partner.
Who better to fill that role than Mousasi? They have met in the past, need a rubber match and could solve the top contender question after Mr. Rockhold.
Otherwise, Michael Bisping would be a fun one. Both are coming off wins and have never been accused of being poor in their craft.
What’s Next for Philippou?
Philippou needs to make an example of his next opponent. However, it shouldn’t be a pushover, which is why C.B. Dollaway seems logical.
Both are coming off losses, and fans want to see whether Philippou can fight a grappler effectively. That’s why Dollaway would be a stiff test for him.
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