Mousasi began his combat sports career as a judoka and boxer but moved to competition in Muay Thai kickboxing, and then eventually to mixed martial arts.

His professional MMA record is 22 wins with 2 losses and 1 draw. His most notable victory is a submission win over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Denis Kang at DREAM.2 by triangle choke.

His most recent wins came over Melvin Manhoef and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza to capture the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Title.

PRESS RELEASE

M-1 Global Congratulates Gegard Mousasi For Winning DREAM Middleweight GP Tournament
New Middleweight King To Appear At M-1 Challenge No. 7 in England This Weekend

(Saitama, Japan September 25, 2008).   M-1 Global is proud to congratulate Gegard Mousasi for capturing the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Title with same day victories over Melvin Manhoef (25-5-1) and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (10-2).   Mousasi (24-2-1), an Armenian born fighter based in Holland, fought for Team Holland in the 2008 M-1 Global Challenge Event No. 1 prior to embarking on his amazing run in the DREAM tournament.   

Beginning with a 1st round triangle choke submission of favorite Dennis Kang (30-10-1) at DREAM 2 on April 29, 2008, and culminating with a devastating upkick that stopped Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Jacare dead in his tracks, the 23-year-old underdog in the DREAM tournament is now firmly entrenched as one of the best middleweights in the world.    A striking coach for fellow M-1 fighter and Pound-for-Pound MMA king Fedor Emelianenko, Mousasi has now won 11 fights in a row and is a favorite for fighter of the year honors with a record of 6-0 in 2008.
Mousasi will defend is newly earned title on New Year’s Eve in Japan. Mousasi has challenged Akyama for this fight who is considered a very strong Japanese fighter with victories over Denis Kang and Melvin Manhoef.
In the near future, Mousasi will certainly be featured on the card for one of the Affliction/M-1 events.

Emelianenko was in attendance to view his stablemate’s crowning achievement at Saitama Arena, the Mecca of MMA in Japan.   “Gegard was simply amazing tonight and I am very happy for him,” commented Emelianenko.  “He handled a dangerous striker in Manhoef brilliantly and then took care of Jacare on the ground with a perfectly timed kick.  And I am confident that there is more greatness to come from Mousasi.”  

MMA fans in the United States can catch Gegard Mousasi and other future stars of MMA every Friday at 8pm ET on HDNet during its weekly M-1 Challenge broadcasts.    The M-1 Challenge can also be viewed on television stations in over 40 countries.  The next LIVE M-1 Global Challenge will be hosted by Warriors Promotions this Saturday, September 27, 2008 in Nottingham, England.   Mousasi, along with fellow M-1 fighter Aleksander Emelianenko, will be on hand for a special MMA seminar on the day of the event.    For more information, log on to www.m1mixfight.com or www.cagewarriors.com.  

The M-1 Global Challenge will then make its United States debut with four M-1 international teams invading Harrah’s Casino in Kansas City, Missouri.  Log on to www.m1mixfight.com or www.titanentertainment.com in the upcoming days for announcements about the first M-1 Challenge show in the United States. 

About M-1 Global and M-1 Challenge
M-1 Global (www.m1mixfight.com) is one of the leading Mixed Martials Arts (MMA) organizations in the world.  Billed as the “World Cup Of Mixed Martial Arts,” the inaugural M-1 Challenge is a full season of MMA events showcasing some of the best up and coming MMA fighters in the world.   In 2008, 10 teams representing eight different countries will compete against each other for international bragging rights and the title of 2008 M-1 Challenge Champions.  Introduced by M-1 founder Vadim Finkelstein, the M-1 Challenge presents MMA prospects all over the world an opportunity to test their skills, gain valuable experience at the international level, and become future stars in the sport of MMA.   Fighters who succeed in the M-1 Challenge will earn the opportunity to participate in major MMA events presented by M-1 Global and their promotional partners.

About HDNet and HDNet Fights
Founded by Mark Cuban, HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com) promotes, produces and airs over twenty-four live MMA events annually for broadcast on HDNet.  HDNet Fights is unique as a unifying force in the MMA industry partnering with leading promoters, including Affliction, DREAM, Strikeforce (TM), M1, SportFight, MFC, Adrenaline, Ring of Combat and others to offer the quality match-ups and productions that MMA fans demand.

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the home for HDNet Fights and is the leader in offering live MMA broadcasts and the leading news and information show for MMA fans, "Inside MMA".  Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager and COO Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.