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[rodneykm]

by Loretta Hunt (lhunt@sherdog.com)

Gegard Mousasi has left his management team with M-1 Global, the fighter told Sherdog.com via e-mail on Friday. M-1 Global also confirmed on Friday that the fighter and organization would no longer be working together.

“After careful consideration, I have decided that it is in my best interest to part ways with M-1 Global,” Mousasi wrote in the e-mail. “During the time I spent under their wing, M-1 Global, as a promoter and management company, allowed me to achieve many great things. I appreciate all they have done for me.”

M-1 Global, based out of Holland and Russia, had guided the Armenian-Dutch fighter’s career to two championship titles in the last few years.

The company also represents Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight, who has publicly stated that he has an ownership stake in the organization, as well.

In addition to its own M-1 Challenge and M-1 Selection events, M-1 Global entered into a co-promotional agreement with Strikeforce in August. The two groups held their first joint event on Nov. 7 at the Sears Centre Arena outside of Chicago. Emelianenko and Mousasi both won bouts on the main card, which was broadcast live on CBS to four million viewers. Strikeforce and M-1 Global could hold their next joint event in April. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker had previously stated that Mousasi might defend his 205-pound title against former world-ranked wrestler Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in April.

Mousasi, who won the Strikeforce light heavyweight title in August, said he has a fight contract directly with the U.S.-based promotion and will continue to compete for it. Mousasi said he also still plans to enter the first round of Dream’s light heavyweight grand prix, rumored to begin this May in Japan.

The 24-year-old fighter said he has already obtained new representation but would not identify them.

“My management is being taken care of by someone close to me,” he wrote.

Mousasi recently returned to his native Holland following a two-week trip to the U.S. to train with UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. He said he would like to come back to the states to train with Strikeforce lightweight contender Josh Thomson and his American Kickboxing Academy team in San Jose, Calif., after he hit it off with Thomson in Miami, Fla., for Strikeforce’s Jan. 30 event at the BankAtlantic Center. A return date has not been scheduled yet.

Mousasi Leaves M-1 Global

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

yippie!

[rodneykm]

I know Fedor won't go with him (as he is part owner) but god it would be nice if he did.

[roaddawg]

Now if we can just get him to leave Strikeforce...

[Clark80]

Originally Posted by roaddawg

Now if we can just get him to leave Strikeforce...

And sign up to fight Silva...

[roaddawg]

Originally Posted by Clark80

And sign up to fight Silva...

which would be a better fight than Vitor imo.

[mmawolverine]

actaully i think at one point there was talk of gegard facing belfort when affliction was living their dreams, anyway i kind of like that vtor has an injury cause it tells me he probably was training very hard for the fight which is better than seeing clicks of him not showing any fire towards silva. they were training partners. breifly, so what if lil nog and lyoto are willing to fight than whats andersons problem, what happens when the philopino wrecking machine striongs some wins together will mr blackhouse blackball munoz as well

[Tyreas]

Yahhhh!

[iced]

niiiiice!

future's bright man

[beau420]

Nice to hear he dropped M-1....they did help make him and probably got him, not only good money, but secured the fight with Babalu. Wonder who Mousasi's manager is.

I thought it was funny it said:

...following a two-week trip to the U.S. to train with UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre.

I thought he went to the Tri-star gym in Montreal....then I read that GSP was actually training in Miami with his camp and Mousasi...it's also the reason why he was in Miami for the Strikefroce event.

Mousasi, I believe has stated on Inside MMA that he has brought his mother and brother over to the states, in some Armenian community in LA. So, I guess his next step is to go for the citizenship test, then he'll get to keep the money he is making rather than paying thousands in extra taxes.