Josias Musasa
The KO Wizard
Congo
Suffers bad break in defeat
Musasa lost to Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
You can't help but feel for Musasa here. He was submitted by Carlos Vera in Round 1 in his last fight in March as the biggest favorite on the card (-800). He no-showed the first frame here before digging deep and turning the tide in Round 2. He was pulling away from Thicknesse early in Round 3, at which point he suffered a low blow. Musasa took the entire five minutes to recover, and that allowed Colby to find a second wind, land another key takedown and secure the decision. Now 0-2 with the company, Musasa's leash may not be very long considering he earned his UFC opportunity with a split decision win on Dana White's Contender Series.
You can't help but feel for Musasa here. He was submitted by Carlos Vera in Round 1 in his last fight in March as the biggest favorite on the card (-800). He no-showed the first frame here before digging deep and turning the tide in Round 2. He was pulling away from Thicknesse early in Round 3, at which point he suffered a low blow. Musasa took the entire five minutes to recover, and that allowed Colby to find a second wind, land another key takedown and secure the decision. Now 0-2 with the company, Musasa's leash may not be very long considering he earned his UFC opportunity with a split decision win on Dana White's Contender Series.
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Fighting Thicknesse in September
Musasa will fight Colby Thicknesse at UFC Perth on Sep. 27, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Musasa is coming off a rough loss via submission where he entered as a huge favorite to Carlos Vera back in March for his UFC debut. The 5-foot-8 bantamweight will finally get his chance at redemption against another newer fighter who also lost his debut match. The pair will both be fighting to show they belong in the UFC, which should make for an entertaining bout.
Musasa is coming off a rough loss via submission where he entered as a huge favorite to Carlos Vera back in March for his UFC debut. The 5-foot-8 bantamweight will finally get his chance at redemption against another newer fighter who also lost his debut match. The pair will both be fighting to show they belong in the UFC, which should make for an entertaining bout.
Falls as biggest favorite on card
Musasa lost to Carlos Vera via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:16 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Entering as the biggest favorite on the card at -800, Musasa got blasted with a head kick midway through Round 1 that sent him sprawling to the mat. Vera was immediately able to take his back and clamp on the rear-naked choke. Musasa battled, but was eventually forced to tap out. The fact Josias was such a massive favorite is kind of crazy considering he earned his UFC opportunity with a split decision win over Otari Tanzilovi on Dana White's Contender Series last September. Musasa has a long road ahead of him following this result.
What a disaster. Entering as the biggest favorite on the card at -800, Musasa got blasted with a head kick midway through Round 1 that sent him sprawling to the mat. Vera was immediately able to take his back and clamp on the rear-naked choke. Musasa battled, but was eventually forced to tap out. The fact Josias was such a massive favorite is kind of crazy considering he earned his UFC opportunity with a split decision win over Otari Tanzilovi on Dana White's Contender Series last September. Musasa has a long road ahead of him following this result.
Debut scheduled
Musasa will fight Carlos Vera at UFC Vegas 104 on March 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
A Contender Series victory over Otar Tanzilovi earned Musasa a UFC contract back in September. He'll carry an 8-0 professional record into his UFC debut and will look to start strong against an opponent who lost his own debut in February.
A Contender Series victory over Otar Tanzilovi earned Musasa a UFC contract back in September. He'll carry an 8-0 professional record into his UFC debut and will look to start strong against an opponent who lost his own debut in February.
Earns contract despite decision
Musasa defeated Otar Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at Dana White's Contender Series 71 on Sept. 10. After the show, he was one of three fighters to be awarded an official UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Musasa entered this fight with a 100 percent KO/TKO rate over a spotless 7-0-0 record, and while he didn't live up to his "KO Wizard" nickname here, he managed to squeak by with a decision. It could have easily gone the other way, as Musasa was on the wrong end of a 68-to-50 significant strike count, as well as a 4-to-1 takedown tally. Musasa landed more total strikes, had more control time and threatened with a submission, which was ultimately enough to sway the judges. The 25-year-old prospect from Congo will now be the latest addition to the UFC roster.
Musasa entered this fight with a 100 percent KO/TKO rate over a spotless 7-0-0 record, and while he didn't live up to his "KO Wizard" nickname here, he managed to squeak by with a decision. It could have easily gone the other way, as Musasa was on the wrong end of a 68-to-50 significant strike count, as well as a 4-to-1 takedown tally. Musasa landed more total strikes, had more control time and threatened with a submission, which was ultimately enough to sway the judges. The 25-year-old prospect from Congo will now be the latest addition to the UFC roster.