Gegard Mousasi earned a controversial win at UFC 210, defeating former middleweight champion Chris Weidman by knee strikes that were originally dubbed illegal and then legal by the referee.
With the controversial win behind him, Mousasi now wants a shot at the UFC Middleweight Title and a new UFC contract.
“I should get paid,” Mousasi said at the UFC 210 post-fight news conference. “I’ve defeated (Ronaldo) ‘Jacare’ (Souza), I’ve defeated Mark Hunt, I’ve defeated Dan Henderson, I’ve defeated Vitor Belfort, and I’ve defeated Weidman. Who else? All these guys I’ve defeated, and they’re making more money than me. What is it? My nationality? Do you want me to dye my hair blond? What the (expletive)? I am one of the best. I should get paid like one of the best. There’s nothing wrong with me. Just pay me what I’m worth. I’m a fair guy. I’m not asking more than what I deserve. You think I cannot beat (UFC middleweight champion Michael) Bisping? I cannot talk like him? What is it?”
Mousasi is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, but he has never held or challenged for a title in the UFC.
The victorious fighter would grant Weidman a rematch, but he would rather fight for the UFC Middleweight Title.
“If he wants his rematch, I can give it to him, but at the end of the day, I’m chasing the title,” Mousasi said. “If I fight Bisping, I think I would be the favorite. Fighting Weidman is tough. It was a tough fight. First round he won. The second, I was coming back, and I hurt him. I don’t know. I’m not the matchmaker.”
Current UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping is expected to fight former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre later this year.
