Mousasi launches challenge to Anderson for June or July

Mousasi (photo) was once a rival of Lyoto, Jacaré and Thales. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Currently in ninth place in the UFC middleweight rankings, Gegard Mousasi is determined to have Anderson Silva as his next opponent in the octagon. The fighter's manager, Nima Safapour, launched a formal challenge to the Brazilian, proposing a duel for either June or July.

See too

Director explains Anderson's absence from UFC Curitiba: 'It's difficult to find an opponent'

Anderson had psychological pain in his fractured leg, says coach

UFC discards Anderson, confirms Vitor x Jacaré and promises homegrown athletes in Curitiba

Anderson, who is coming off a defeat to Michael Bisping At the end of last month, he was willing to return to fighting in May, with the first edition of the UFC in Curitiba (PR). However, the former champion was left out of the event due to lack of an opponent. According to Mousasi's manager, the Armenian-Dutch fighter would not have enough time to prepare, but accepted the duel at a later date.

“A lot of people from the Brazilian press got in touch with us about a fight between Mousasi and Silva in Brazil. The idea is exciting, as it will be an event in a football stadium. However, the Curitiba card is right there. Therefore, we need time to prepare. We would gladly accept a fight with Anderson. The date in May is too close for a return. If we had been notified soon after the event in London, perhaps [we would have accepted]. But time has passed, unfortunately,” he said, to the North American website “MMA Fighting”.

Therefore, the idea is for the fight to take place on two possible dates. “It would make more sense if the fight took place at UFC 199 or UFC 200. Gegard wants to return as soon as possible, but without it disrupting the structure of his training. So, the question is whether or not Anderson wants to accept our challenge at UFC 199 or UFC 200,” he added.

UFC 198 will be held on May 14th at Arena da Baixada, in the capital of Paraná. UFC 199 will take place on June 4 in Los Angeles, and UFC 200 will take place in Las Vegas.