One of the best young fighters in all of MMA made his American debut in spectacular fashion Saturday night, as Gegard Mousasi won the Strikeforce light heavyweight title, beating Renato "Babalu" Sobral by first-round TKO.
It was an absolutely destructive performance by Mousasi, who took Babalu down in the first minute of the first round, got on top of him and punched him in the face repeatedly until Babalu was out cold and referee Big John McCarthy stepped in to save him.
"I wanted to fight stand-up," Mousasi said afterward. "But if I can take advantage of takedowns I will. ... It feels good. There was some pressure because it was the first time in the U.S., but I just wanted to perform well."
Mousasi, who last year won the Dream middleweight tournament, is probably at his best at light heavyweight, where he's now fighting with Strikeforce. He's a force to be reckoned with. (Mousasi is also fighting in Dream's heavyweight Super Hulk Tournament, and he has said he wants to dabble in boxing and kickboxing as well.) Whatever he does going forward, the 24-year-old Mousasi is a brilliant fighter, and one every MMA fan needs to know.
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Carano vs. Cyborg
Cris Cyborg punches Gina Carano in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gina Carano's leg gets caught by Cris Cyborg at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gina Carano punches Cris Cyborg in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Cris Cyborg celebrates her victory over Gina Carano to win the Strikeforce title on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gegard Mousasi dominates the fight against Babalu Sobral, winning the fight in one minute at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gegard Mousasi celebrates his first-round knockout victory at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gilbert Melendez, right, hammers Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gilbert Melendez celebrates his third-round knockout win against Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Fabricio Werdum finishes Mike Kyle off early in the first round with a guillotine choke at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Fabricio Werdum celebrates his first-round victory at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
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