Undefeated world class wrestler Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (5-0) has signed a multi-fight deal to compete for Strikeforce.According to the report, the deal will allow King Mo to continue to fight in Japan and could fight as early as December.
fKing Mo is a former three-time U.S. Senior National Wrestling Champion, former NCAA National collegiate wrestling Champion with Central Oklahoma as well as a Texas State Wrestling Champion (Plano East).
Lawal was a Big 12 Champion and Division I all-American in 2003, wrestling for Oklahoma State. After his collegiate career, Lawal participated in the now defunct Real Pro Wrestling, a league with rules that closely resembled freestyle wrestling, and was crowned a champion in the first and only season. Lawal eventually became a U.S. national team member in 2005, placing 7th at the World Championships in Budapest. Lawal was the number one ranked wrestler in the United States for over three years in the 84 kilogram division.
Lawal made his MMA debut for the Japanese World Victory Road promotion on their Sengoku 5 event. A late replacement for the injured Roger Gracie, Lawal surprised many with his quick TKO victory over veteran Travis Wiuff. He returned to competition just over a month later, securing a TKO victory over Fabio Silva, and was victorious in January 2009 against Yukiya Naito. Lawal defeated the current light heavyweight King of Pancrase Ryo Kawamura at Sengoku on March 2009.
In the mixed martial arts world Lawal goes by the name of King Mo which has made him very popular with the Japanese MMA fans. He got the name King Mo from his friend Kami Barzini who told Lawal, "once you do what you gotta do, you'll be a king" and the name has stuck ever since.
On August 28, 2009 Lawal made his United States MMA debut at M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough. Lawal faced Mark Kerr, instead of the originally planned match up with mixed martial arts legend Don Frye. Lawal quickly scored a takedown and pounded Kerr unconscious, winning the fight (and sending Kerr's mouthpiece flying across the ring) twenty five seconds in the first round.
On October 13, 2009, it was announced that Lawal had signed a multi-fight contract with U.S. based promotion Strikeforce. The contract allows him to continue fighting in the Japanese circuit where he has gained his notoriety. He is expected to make his Strikeforce debut as early as December.
