“The Dreamcatcher” fought inside the Bellator cage for the first time on Friday, defeating former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko by unanimous decision in the main event of Bellator 185 in Uncasville, Conn. Mousasi’s promotional debut came after winning his last five fights in the UFC, including four straight by KO or TKO, and he was expected to put on a dominant performance against Shlemenko.
Shlemenko landed a left hand in the first round that broke Mousasi’s orbital, and the injury forced Mousasi to rely on his wrestling to neutralize the dangerous Russian as opposed to showing off his striking skills.