Gegard Mousasi sends positive message to rival, former Bellator champ Rafael Lovato Jr.

Gegard Mousasi says he never had any real animosity toward Rafael Lovato Jr. now that a rematch with his fellow former Bellator champ is off the table.

Lovato (10-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) took the middleweight belt from Mousasi (46-7-2 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) at Bellator 223 in June, and there’s been a push for a second fight since, with Mousasi throwing out some hefty personal attacks to try to make it happen. The rematch was supposed to happen in January, but concerns about Lovato’s health lingered.

Those concerns have since been realized, because a rare brain condition recently forced Lovato to relinquish the belt, setting up a fight between Mousasi and Douglas Lima for vacant gold at Bellator San Jose on May 9.

At this point, Lovato is effectively retired unless something changes and he can receive medical clearance, meaning the rematch is highly unlikely. Mousasi said health is the priority, though, and he’s OK if the fight never happens.

“I don’t know if he’s ever going to get approved again,” Mousasi told MMA Junkie. “I know he’s trying and he’s a competitor and he always wants to compete even if it’s not healthy for you. I can understand him, but I wish him the best. I don’t wish him any bad doings or any harm. We were competitors, I want to fight him bad and I said some things, but that’s in the past. I’m not going to fight him anytime soon, so I’m just going to concentrate in Douglas Lima.”

Although some of his previous comments would point to the contrary, Mousasi said he never had a personal beef. Mousasi had a justifiable competitive rival after Lovato took Bellator gold away from him and put a loss on his recent, but Mousasi said any of the trash talk came from a place of trying to build up the rematch.

“I always liked him, I still liked him,” Mousasi said. “He’s a guy I can be friends with. We just had to fight each other and I lost and that’s the way it went. I wanted to get the rematch, I really wanted to win that fight to prove my point and that was it. As a person he’s a humble, respectful person. I feel bad for the guy. He can’t compete anymore. When I tore my ACL I knew how that felt, and this is even worse because maybe it’s the end of his career. I wish him the best.”

Mousasi said he won’t have any “sleepless nights” if he never gets to fight Lovato again. He’s been presented with a big opportunity to fight Lima, who is the reigning Bellator welterweight champ looking to claim a second title. Mousasi, however, is confident he won’t let that happen.

“I really wanted the rematch, but that fight is not going to affect me,” Mousasi said. “Life goes on and I get to fight Douglas Lima who is a hell of a competitor. He’s a big champion, so I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”