Mousasi dominates Vanderford to retain Bellator middleweight title

Gegard Mousasi beat Austin Vanderford via TKO (punches) at the 1:25 mark in the first round to retain the middleweight title Friday in the Bellator 275 main event at 3Arena in Dublin.

The loss is Vanderford's first defeat in 12 professional fights. The 31-year-old entered the bout as the No. 1-ranked middleweight contender.

"I'm the best middleweight," Mousasi said postfight, per MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. "I never said that because I never believed it. But from now on, you better believe it."

Mousasi's 49th career win marks his second-consecutive title defense following a TKO victory over John Slater at Bellator 264 in August. "The Dreamcatcher" extends his win streak to four fights, including wins over Lyoto Machida and Douglas Lima for the then-vacant middleweight belt.