MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis

Gegard Mousasi won the inaugural DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix title last night at DREAM.6.

The semifinals of the 2008 MWGP saw Mousasi take on Melvin Manhoef in what was a very interesting matchup. Mousasi was able to avoid falling prey to Manhoef’s devastating power, and instead was able to work his ground game and secure a triangle submission victory in the first round.

The second semifinal saw Ronaldo Souza defeat Zelg Galesic also by submission in the first round. After a quick settling in period, Souza took Galesic to the mat and work an armbar that forced Galesic to tap.

In the final between Mousasi and Souza, “Jacare” was able to get the first take down but unable to do anything in Mousasi’s guard. Souza then tried raining down punches from the top but was caught with an upkick that knocked him out giving Mousasi the MWGP title.

In what was probably the most anticipated fight of the night, Mirko Filipovic and Alistair Overeem fought to a no contest. As the start of the fight, Overeem took Cro Cop down and opened up a cut over Mirko’s right eye that the referee had checked by the ringside doctor. Back on their Cro Cop started to attempt his trademark kicks, but a head kick attempt was caught by Overeem and landed the Croation back on the mat. Here is were the match turned south for both fighters, as Overeem landed knees to Mirko’s groin that eventually forced the fight to be called due to injury.

Also of note was Fedor Emelianenko’s appearance the event. During one of the intermissions, Fedor entered the ring and announced his desire to fight on the New Year’s Eve show for DREAM. Fedor called out Satoshi Ishi, the 2008 judo gold medalist in Beijing, as an opponent.