Return of the King? Muhammed Lawal signs with Bellator

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)