UFC Fight Night: Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza submits Gegard Mousasi with guillotine choke
Last Updated: 06/09/14 11:58am
Submission maestro Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza underlined his burgeoning middleweight contention by forcing Gegard Mousasi to tap out at Fight Night in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
The Brazilian dominated three rounds by edging closer and closer to a submission, eventually securing a guillotine choke that ended Mousasi’s night.
Souza’s impressive victory - six years after losing to Mousasi before their UFC days - came hours after fellow 185-pound contenders Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold confirmed their anticipated fight in Australia later this year.
The race is on to fight next for the middleweight championship that Chris Weidman defends against Vitor Belfort in December – but Souza may well be at the front.
Souza’s evolution into a more rounded competitor despite his elite jiu-jitsu skills now includes UFC victories by submission, knock-out and decision. Had he not secured a finish of Mousasi he was well on his way to earning a clear decision on Friday night.
Dominant ground control for almost 15 minutes sealed the win and Souza may have won via kimura submission at the end of the second had the bell not saved Mousasi.
But the Dutchman couldn’t steer clear of Souza all night and eventually succumbed to one of the sport’s premier grapplers.
Earlier in Connecticut, heavyweight pair Ben Rothwell and Matt Matrione quickly stopped Alistair Overeem and Derrick Lewis, respectively. Michael Chiesa was halted by doctor stoppage against Joe Lauzon.
