The last time middleweight standout Gegard Mousasi fought for an MMA world title was in July 2011, when he defended the DREAM light heavyweight title via first-round TKO against Hiroshi Izumi in Tokyo, Japan. In his succeeding fights under Strikeforce and the UFC through the next six years, “The Dreamcatcher” couldn’t secure a chance to fight for a title belt.
That dry spell will be broken this Friday when Mousasi challenges current Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 200. But for the 32-year-old MMA veteran, having a world title in his possession can be both substantial and insignificant at the same time.