Return of the King? Muhammed Lawal signs with Bellator
Posted on May 10, 2012, 09:16 PM by Mike Drahota
It appears that Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has found a new home. It was announced today that the suspended fighter has signed with Bellator. The promotion is making a move to Spike TV for its television broadcasts, and with the switch, Lawal will also be appearing on the network's TNA Wrestling. In a rarely-seen signing of an athlete for both real and unreal fighting, this news comes as a bit of a surprise. Lawal had the following to say via a report from 5thround.com:
“This is a dream come true for me, I couldn’t sleep last night,” Lawal stated. “I get to knock people out in the cage and hit people with chairs in the ring. [Things are] looking bright right now.”
Lawal, a former NCAA wrestling champion, is suspended until at the earliest September 7, stemming from a failed test for steroids after his last fight for Strikeforce, a TKO victory over the over-matched Lorenz Larkin. He came out with some controversial comments directly after, but then quickly apologized. “King Mo” once looked poised for a great career in 2010, when he took the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title from Gegard Mousasi. Now, the direction of his path to MMA greatness has become, well, a bit skewed.
What will become of the man that showed almost unlimited promise with his wrestling prowess and knockout power? Can he parlay this signing to Bellator into greater things as a fighter, or will he become just another side-show as he switches back-and-forth from MMA to professional wrestling? From the looks of things, he is very content with his next career move, and a bout within Strikeforce or the UFC, against true top competition, appears long away for the man who dubs himself “King.”
Further Reading: King Mo suspended for nine months, released by ZUFFA (update)
Comments
Talk about going in the wrong direction. To bellator fighters even make enough to move out of their parents house?
hit people with chairs? WTF?
Yes it says he signed with Bellator, and the pro wrestling company TNA, he will be doing both at the same time.
it was an easy decision, he already had the wardrobe for the WWE gig
Wow this is a big signing! This is seriously one if on the biggest names they have signed and will be the first guy (I think) who is already a star to go through to tournament - most of their guys became ranked after going through the tournaments not before.
Probably the weakest division in Bellator as well, I expect Mo to pick up that belt pretty easily.
Good for Mo. No sense in waiting around fit Zuffa to come calling. Being proactive was the smart play. Hope he turns his career around.
I think you meant to say=return of the CLOWN? this guy is a f#$%^& joke!
His ego has forced him to make a poor choice he will be a long time getting to the UFC if ever. Pride go-eth before a fall as they say.