Bellator MMA middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is in for a stylistic matchup against multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion Rafael Lovato Jr. They will collide with the title on the line at Bellator London on June 22. Below, you’ll see some of the numbers that define their scheduled bout.
Overall mixed martial arts experience
Mousasi is a highly experienced fighter who has fought the best of the best in three weight classes. He spent his early years as a professional in his home country of the Netherlands, as well as Finland, Russia and Ireland. His biggest break came in Japan where he was signed by Pride and Dream. Mousasi held the inaugural Dream middleweight championship and later the Dream light heavyweight championship.Adding to his collection of titles is the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship and now, the Bellator middleweight championship. Of course, he also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he had an excellent record of 9-3. Overall, his record stands at 45-6-2.
When it comes to mixed martial arts experience, Mousasi and Lovato are worlds apart, with the latter only having nine professional fights. But while Lovato’s resume isn’t as deep as the former, he does have championship mileage, having earned the Legacy FC middleweight championship in only his third professional fight. Lovato appeared four times in the promotion before getting signed by Bellator where he is now staring at his sixth bout.
Finishing rate (knockout)
Of Mousasi’s 45 career victories, 26 have come by KO or TKO, making for a 58 percent knockout finishing rate. His most notable victims include Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort, Ronaldo Souza, Chris Weidman, Renato Sobral, Rory MacDonald and Thiago Santos.It’s no surprise that the jiu-jitsu great, Lovato, has decent standup, having started training early in karate as well as boxing and Muay Thai. As a pro MMA fighter, he has floored and stopped two opponents, namely Marcelo Nunes and Charles Hackmann. In all, he has registered nine victories, which makes for a 22 percent knockout finishing rate.
Finishing rate (submission)
Mousasi is, without question, one of the most complete fighters around. He’s been making a living stopping opponents not just by knockout, but also by submission. Currently, he has 12 submission victories under his name, with a list of victims that include Mark Hunt, Mark Munoz, Melvin Manhoef and Denis Kang. That translates to a 27 percent submission finishing rate.As good as Mousasi’s grappling game is, it doesn’t compare with Lovato’s who has fought and succeeded at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu competition. That brilliance translated well into MMA as six out of his nine career wins came via submission, making for a 66 percent submission finishing rate.