Muhammed Lawal

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For the Nigerian governor of Ogun and then Kwara states, see Mohammed Lawal.
Muhammed Lawal
Born January 11, 1981 (1981-01-11) (age 31)
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
last updated on: April 18, 2011
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 currently signed to a multi-fight deal with the Strikeforce organization where 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

[edit] Mixed martial arts

[edit] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[4]

[edit] Personal life

Lawal's parents are immigrants from Nigeria.[5]

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

[edit] Mixed Martial Arts

[edit] Professional wrestling

[edit] 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

[edit] Mixed martial arts record

Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
NC 8–1 (1) Lorenz Larkin NC (overturned by NSAC) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine 02012-01-07 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 02011-09-10 September 10, 2011 1 4:37 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Loss 7–1 Rafael Cavalcante TKO (punches and elbows) Strikeforce: Houston 02010-08-21 August 21, 2010 3 1:14 Houston, Texas, United States Lost Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Gegard Mousasi Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Nashville 02010-04-17 April 17, 2010 5 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Won Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Mike Whitehead KO (punches) Strikeforce: Evolution 02009-12-19 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 02009-08-28 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 02009-03-20 March 20, 2009 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0 Yukiya Naito TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 02009-01-04 January 4, 2009 1 3:54 Saitama, Japan
Win 2–0 Fabio Silva TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6 02008-11-01 November 1, 2008 3 0:41 Saitama, Japan Heavyweight bout.
Win 1–0 Travis Wiuff TKO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5 02008-09-28 September 28, 2008 1 2:11 Tokyo, Japan Heavyweight bout.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.okstate.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/041803aaf.html
  2. ^ 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. 
  3. ^ "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. 
  4. ^ "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. 
  5. ^ http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=513&issid=36

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Gegard Mousasi		 4th Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
April 17, 2010 – August 21, 2010		 Succeeded by
Rafael Cavalcante
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammed_Lawal&oldid=478989478"
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