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09/09/09 - Filho fires back at Mousasi: 'He wants to talk, I will beat him up'
Former PRIDE and WEC fighter Paulo Filho has fired back in what looks set to be a war of words with Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi, saying he would beat him up easily.
Filho, who feels confident after his victory over striker Melvin Manhoef at DREAM 10, made the comments in response to Mousasi alleging this week that he uses steroids. Mousasi had in turn made that comment in response to an earlier remark from Filho, who said he would not need a purse to fight Mousasi because “he is well-trained but can’t beat me”.
In the latest instalment of this fast-developing soap opera, Filho has angrily denied taking any prohibited substances.
“I didn’t take any steroid. How could I have taken steroids before losing 9 kilos?” he asked rhetorically, before blaming Mousasi for the feud between them.
“It’s his fault. He wants to talk, but the truth is he is afraid. He watched me in the past and I also watched him. He didn’t change his game too much. He’s the same: paper-thin and just put on some weight,“ Filho fumed to Terra.com.br today
“And it’s clear he doesn’t respect the opponent because he always has this ‘superior’ look on his face. He’s in good momentum right now but the Brazilian light-heavyweights are able to beat him up - and I’m one of them.”
Filho believes the grudge will inevitably be settled in the cage or ring in the near future, since DREAM and Strikeforce keep a close relationship with each other. Strikeforce are also known to be very impressed with Filho’s latest performance versus Manhoef.
“The fight isn’t signed yet but it will happen. DREAM and Strikeforce have connection. Wherever he wants to face me off, we’ll fight. Be sure we will put on this challenge,” Filho predicts.
The former Brazilian Top Team fighter believes his jiu-jitsu would make the difference versus Mousasi. He says he would smash his adversary onto the floor and in the standing phase, would not give him the space for strikes.
“Depending on the position I will punish him on the ground. All fights end up clinched and he falls easily. I’ll use my jiu-jitsu base to annul his game.”
Of course, we have seen another jiu-jitsu star having no success versus Mousasi, during the DREAM grand prix finals in 2008. On that occasion Ronaldo Jacaré (‘Alligator’ in English) tried a super-man punch and was hit by Mousasi’s foot on the face.
“Jacaré was winning that fight, beating him up, but he made a mistake trying that super-man fly over Mousasi. Actually Mousasi Should not be credited with that hit. Jacare basically landed on his foot. He just defended himself. If they fight one more time Ronaldo will surely take him”.
In the meantime, Filho is scheduled to fight for Bitetti Combat in Rio de Janeiro on September 12th, with the card also featuring former PRIDE FC fighters Ricardo Arona and Pedro Rizzo.
The Brazilian Ninja
FO Staff Brasil
Thebrazilianninja@gmail.com
“Cooking the beef”
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