Twitter Reacts to Gegard Mousasi’s Defeat of Vitor Belfort

On Saturday night, in the co-main event of UFC 204, Gegard Mousasi got a fight with an opponent he’s been chasing since his days under the Affliction banner in 2009: Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort.

Though the bout was undoubtedly a better late than never situation, Mousasi made good on this long-awaited opportunity.

In the first round, the Dutchman dominated his Brazilian foe on the feet. In the second, he grounded the fight, easily climbed into full mount, and rained down the ground-and-pound for a beautiful TKO win – much like the ones Chris Weidman and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza recently scored over Belfort.

With the win, Mousasi reestablished himself as one of the middleweight division’s top contenders. He now finds himself in the thick of the title hunt alongside monsters like Chris Weidman, Yoel Romero, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and Luke Rockhold. Given that all four of these men are currently tied up, however, Mousasi has expressed interest in a fight with middleweight great Anderson Silva – though we know he could be busy too.

As expected, Mousasi’s bout with Belfort garnered some interesting reactions from some of the game’s top fighters and figures.

Here are some of the best of those reactions:

Kermit vs. Killer Dad Bod. #UFC204

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) October 9, 2016

I get such a kick out of @vitorbelfort post @usantidoping body. #ufc204

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 9, 2016

Come on Vitor!

— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) October 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cody_Nolove/status/784957495487803392

Mousasi looking good right now

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 9, 2016

Hey Brian Stan, Vitor hasn't "unleashed" the same since USADA. Just saying. #UFC204

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) October 9, 2016

#GreatFight #ufcManchester @ufc #gegardmousasi

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) October 9, 2016

Excellent work from @mousasi_mma … Controlled pressure and a gorgeous pass to mount before the finish #UFC204

— Zachary Makovsky (@ZachFunSize) October 9, 2016

Beautiful performance by Mousasi! @ufc

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 9, 2016

@mousasi_mma show he still can be a top contender on this division #UFC204

— Roan Jucao (@jucao) October 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/georgimma/status/784960664620060672

I just saw @mousasi_mma smile. Best night of my life #UFC204

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/MannyGamburyan/status/784960530301628416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

@DerekBrunson Will smash mousasi

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) October 9, 2016

What did you think of Mousasi’s dominant defeat of Belfort? Do you think he’s ready to fight for the title? Sound off, PENN nation!