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Muhammed Lawal
| Muhammed Lawal | |
|---|---|
 Muhammed Lawal in Los Angeles, on April 15, 2012 |
|
| Born | January 11, 1981 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Other names | King Mo |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight (205 lb) Heavyweight (265 lb) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Fighting out of | San Jose, California |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy |
| Rank | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 10 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| University | Oklahoma State University University of Central Oklahoma |
| Notable school(s) | Plano East Senior High School |
| Website | http://www.kingmo.us/ |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Competitor for  United States |
||
| Men’s freestyle wrestling | ||
| Pan American Championships | ||
| Gold | 2007 San Salvador | 96 kg |
| World Cup | ||
| Silver | 2007 Krasnoyarsk | 96 kg |
Muhammed Lawal (born January 11, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is signed with Bellator Fighting Championships as an MMA fighter, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as a wrestler.
He is the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Nicknamed King Mo, he is a former three-time U.S. Senior National Wrestling Champion. He wrestled at the University of Central Oklahoma for three years (’00, ’01, ’02), winning one NCAA division II national championship in 2002, and compiling an overall record of 103-22.[1]
Contents |
Wrestling
Lawal was a Big 12 Conference champion and Division 1 All-American in 2003 for Oklahoma State, and claimed three U.S. National Championships (2005, `06, `08). Lawal won the NCAA Division II championship at the University of Central Oklahoma. After his collegiate career, Lawal participated in Real Pro Wrestling, becoming the champion in its only season. In 2005, Lawal became a U.S. national team member, earning 7th place at the World Championships in Budapest. For over three years, Lawal was the number 1 ranked wrestler in the United States in the 84 kilogram division.[2]
Lawal earned silver at the 2007 World Team Trials. Muhammed was the favorite to win gold, but he was upsetted by Andy Hrovat, whom he defeated before, losing a spot on the Olympic Team.[3][4]
Mixed martial arts
Japan
In his 2008 mixed martial arts debut at Sengoku 5, Lawal fought Travis Wiuff, a veteran of 66 fights at the time, knocking him out in the first round.[5]
At Sengoku 6, Lawal fought Fabio Silva on November 1, 2008, defeating him in the third round via strikes.[6]
On January 4, 2009 Lawal faced Yukiya Naito at Sengoku Rebellion 2009, defeating him in the first round with punches.[7]
On March 20, 2009 at Sengoku 7, Lawal defeated Ryo Kawamura by unanimous decision. His first time going the distance, Lawal attributed his performance to a knee injury obtained about a week before the fight, “I kinda tweaked it rolling around [with Dean Lister], and I tried to rehab it as much as I could before the fight.”[8]
M-1 Global
On August 28, 2009 Lawal fought for the first time on U.S. soil against Mark Kerr at M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough. Lawal defeated Kerr by technical knockout 25 seconds into the fight.[9]
Strikeforce
On October 13, 2009, it was announced that Lawal had signed a multi-fight contract with U.S. based promotion Strikeforce. The contract allowed him to continue fighting in the Japanese circuit where he has gained his notoriety.
On December 19 at Strikeforce: Evolution Lawal fought Mike Whitehead, defeating him three minutes and eight seconds into round one via KO (punches). Lawal came in showing relaxed hands and strong counter punching and caught Whitehead with a strong right which dropped him. Lawal followed up with three punches causing the referee to stop the fight.
On April 17, 2010, Lawal defeated Gegard Mousasi by unanimous decision to win the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Lawal lost the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship in Houston Texas, on August 21, against Rafael Cavalcante by TKO due to punches and elbows of 1:14 of round 3.
Lawal was out of action until mid 2011 after undergoing surgery to repair a knee injury.[10]
Lawal was scheduled to fight Roger Gracie at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson on July 30, 2011. Gracie, however, withdrew from the bout in late June due to an injury.[11] The fight was rescheduled for Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov on Sept. 10, 2011, and Lawal won via KO in the first round.
Lawal garnered his second straight victory, defeating previously unbeaten Lorenz Larkin at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine via second round KO. However, Lawal tested positive for anabolic steroids (Drostanolone) and as a result of the banned substance, the fight’s result has been changed to a no contest while Lawal will have his license suspended for one year.[12] After meeting with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 27, 2012 his suspension was reduced to nine months.[13]
Lawal was released from Strikeforce following comments he made on Twitter regarding Pat Lundvall after his hearing for his drug test. Lawal said, “She asked if I did research for my training. I didn’t get what she meant by the question, and she rolled her eyes and asked, ‘Do you speak English? Can you read?’ I felt I was disrespected by the woman’s comments. How are you going to ask a college educated, well traveled man if he can speak or read English? I’m speaking English right in front of you and I’ve been speaking English right in front of you for the past 15 minutes.”[14][15] After the release, Lawal issued an apology to Lundvall, stating, “I was out of line for calling the woman the b-word and I was wrong for that. I was kind of mad about the comments, I was offended by the comments made towards me and I was out of line. I was too emotional. I apologize for that. With that being said, I still feel that I was offended, but I’m in the wrong for what I said.”[16]
Bellator and TNA Wrestling
On May 10, 2012, it was reported that Lawal had signed contracts with both mixed martial arts promotion Bellator Fighting Championships as well as professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). The two promotions are connected through the Spike television network.[17] It is likely that Lawal will be splitting time between TNA and Bellator once his suspension from MMA is up this summer, and once his wrestling skills are polished.
Personal life
Lawal’s parents are immigrants from Nigeria. Lawal was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He has a younger brother named Abdullah and a younger sister named Aminat. The three were raised by a single mother, “My mom [Nike Rosseau] pretty much raised us all. My dad was never around.” Muhammed’s father committed suicide when Lawal was twenty years old.[18]
After his fight with Larkins, Lawal was diagnosed with Staphylococcus obtained from knee surgery. Lawal had a fever of 103 degrees, and the infection ate away at parts of his hip and legs, “I had this moment where I was like, man, I can see my hip bone. I was ripped still. I had an eight-pack. But there’s my hip bone. I looked at my leg, and it looked like those zombies from The Walking Dead.I feel like I looked death in the face, and I survived.”[19][20][21]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
Professional wrestling
Amateur wrestling
- International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
- 2007 Hargobind International Tournament Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2007 Alexander Medved International Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2007 Pan American Championships Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2007 World Cup Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2007 Takhti Cup Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2006 Golden Grand Prix Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- 2006 Uzbekistan Independence Cup Golden Grand Prix Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2006 Yasar Dogu International Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2006 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2005 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2004 Clan International Championships Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2004 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- 2004 FILA Manitoba Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2003 Sunkist Kids International Open Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- USA Wrestling
- USA Olympic Team Trials Senior Freestyle Runner-up (2008)
- FILA World Team Trials Senior Freestyle Winner (2005)
- FILA World Team Trials Senior Freestyle Runner-up (2007)
- USA Senior Freestyle National Championship (2005, 2006, 2008)
- USA Senior Freestyle National Championship Runner-up (2007)
- USA University Freestyle National Championship (2003)
- 2006 NYAC Christmas Championships Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2004 NYAC Christmas Championships Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- NCAA Division I Collegiate National Championship 3rd Place (2003)
- NCAA Division I All-American (2003)
- Big 12 Conference Championship (2003)
- NCAA Division II Collegiate National Championship (2002)
- NCAA Division II Collegiate National Championship Runner-up (2001)
- NCAA Division II All-American (2001, 2002)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 10 matches | 8 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | 8–1-1 | Lorenz Larkin | NC (overturned by NSAC) | Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine | January 7, 2012 | 2 | 1:32 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Originally a win via KO; result overturned after Lawal tested positive for Drostanolone. |
| Win | 8–1 | Roger Gracie | KO (punch) | Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov | September 10, 2011 | 1 | 4:37 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Rafael Cavalcante | TKO (punches and elbows) | Strikeforce: Houston | August 21, 2010 | 3 | 1:14 | Houston, Texas, United States | Lost Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Gegard Mousasi | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Nashville | April 17, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Won Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Mike Whitehead | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: Evolution | December 19, 2009 | 1 | 3:08 | San Jose, California, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Mark Kerr | KO (punches) | M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough | August 28, 2009 | 1 | 0:25 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 4–0 | Ryo Kawamura | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 7 | March 20, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Yukiya Naito | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 | January 4, 2009 | 1 | 3:54 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Fabio Silva | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 | November 1, 2008 | 3 | 0:41 | Saitama, Japan | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Travis Wiuff | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5 | September 28, 2008 | 1 | 2:11 | Tokyo, Japan | Heavyweight bout. |
See also
References
- ^ http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/041803aaf.html
- ^ http://www.mmalinker.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.php/Muhammed_Lawal#Wrestling
- ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1153585/15/17/index.htm
- ^ http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/muhammed-lawal-king-mo
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammed_Lawal&action=edit§ion=2&editintro=Template:BLP_editintro
- ^ http://mmajunkie.com/news/13140/sengoku-6-results-gomi-upset-santiago-and-kitaoka-win-grand-prix-crowns.mma
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Sengoku-Seventh-Battle-PlaybyPlay-15667
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/King-Mo-Reigns-in-Seventh-Battle-Main-Event-16658
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/blog/Lawal-Mauls-Kerr-Fedor-Submits-Mousasi-at-M1-19385
- ^ Sherdog.com. “Manager: Lawal Out 9 Months for Knee Surgery”. Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Manager-Lawal-Out-9-Months-for-Knee-Surgery-26509. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
- ^ “Roger Gracie withdraws from Strikeforce bout with Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal KNOCKED ROGER THE EFF OUT DOE”. mmajunkie.com. 2011-06-25. http://mmajunkie.com/news/24142/roger-gracie-withdraws-from-strikeforce-bout-with-muhammed-king-mo-lawal.mma.
- ^ “Strikeforce’s ‘King Mo’ Lawal tests positive for anabolic steroid, fighter denies use”. mmajunkie.com. http://mmajunkie.com/news/27008/strikeforces-king-mo-lawal-tests-positive-for-anabolic-steroid-fighter-denies-use.mma. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Nevada-Commission-Hands-King-Mo-9Month-Suspension-Changes-Jan-7-Victory-to-No-Contest-41395
- ^ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/3/27/2907280/muhammad-king-mo-lawal-responds-to-nsac-suspension-explains-twitter
- ^ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/3/27/2907539/muhammed-king-mo-lawal-responds-zuffa-strikeforce-ufc-release-exclusive-interview
- ^ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1127722-muhammed-king-mo-lawal-issues-apology-to-commissioner-pat-lundvall
- ^ Caldwell, James (2012-05-10). “TNA/MMA News: Press Release – King Mo joins TNA and Bellator as part of two separate deals”. Pro Wrestling Torch. http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_61271.shtml. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
- ^ http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=513&issid=36
- ^ http://www.mmamania.com/2012/2/20/2812628/king-mo-life-threatening-staph-infection-health-scare-mma
- ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ben_fowlkes/03/23/mo.lawal/index.html
- ^ http://www.thescore.com/mma/articles/216746-strikeforce-king-mo-lawal-to-undergo-knee-surgery
External links
- Professional MMA record for Muhammed Lawal from Sherdog
- MiddleEasy.com Interview
- Mo Lawal on Myspace
- Muhammed Lawal profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
- TNA Wrestling profile
| Preceded by Gegard Mousasi |
4th Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion April 17, 2010 – August 21, 2010 |
Succeeded by Rafael Cavalcante |
- 1981 births
- Living people
- People from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- American mixed martial artists
- American sportspeople in doping cases
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- African-American mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists from Tennessee
- Mixed martial artists from Texas
- Strikeforce champions
- American sport wrestlers
- African American Muslims
- American people of Nigerian descent
- Doping cases in mixed martial arts
- University of Central Oklahoma alumni
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