Gegard Mousasi vows to dominate ‘cocky’ Chris Weidman at UFC 210

In a few short weeks, the UFC will touch down in Buffalo, New York with an interesting looking night of fights in UFC 210. In the main event, we’ll see Daniel Cormier attempt to defend the UFC light heavyweight title against an old foe in Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. In the co-main event, meanwhile, Dutch contender Gegard Mousasi will attempt to continue his march toward the middleweight title against former champ Chris Weidman.

Weidman will enter this fight on a two-fight losing streak, having been stopped by top-ranked fighters in Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero in his last two fights. In advance of his fight at UFC 210, Weidman has suggested that Mousasi is a well-deserved step down in competition.

“Mousasi would be almost a step down from the level of guys I’ve been fighting,” Weidman told Submission Radio of Mousasi earlier this month. “He’s on a nice win streak, he’s developed a name for himself, he’s experienced, he’s been around, but I feel like every time he’s stepped up and fought a top-notch guy I think he came a little bit short.”

Unsurprisingly, these comments did not go over well with the dangerous Mousasi. In a recent interview with MMA H.E.A.T. (via MMAMania.com), Mousasi called Weidman ‘cocky’ and promised to ‘light him up.’ His words:

“He’s a solid fighter. He is good everywhere, but he’s not great. He’s not that explosive, he’s not that fast and I am going to light him up, I promise.”

“I know he’s a confident guy, cocky sometimes, but I think he underestimates me. And I am going to show him, I’m not kidding. I am in great shape, no one is taking me down and in standup, I’m just very confident and happy I got this fight.”

Do you think Gegard Mousasi can pull off the win against the former champ Chris Weidman? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/22/2017.