Muhammed Lawal
| Muhammed Lawal | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 11, 1981 Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
| Other names | King Mo |
| Nationality |  American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Temecula, California |
| Team | Team Quest |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 5 |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 0 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
Muhammed Lawal is an American mixed martial artist , 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).
Mixed Martial Arts
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.[1][2] 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.[3]
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.[4] 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. [5]
Lawal is a member of "Team Thirsty" and "Team GDP" with Rashad Evans and Dan Cormier. [6]
Wrestling Credentials
- 2008 U.S. Senior National Championships: 1st Place
- 2008 Golden Grand Prix International: 2nd Place
- 2007 U.S. Senior National Championships: 1st Place
- 2007 Golden Grand Prix International Open: 1st Place
- 2005 U.S. Senior National Championships: 1st Place
- 2005 U.S. World Team Trials: 1st Place
- 2005 World Wrestling Championships: 7th Place
- 2003 NCAA Division I National Championships: 3rd Place
- 2003 NCAA Division I Big 12 Champion
- 2002 NCAA Division II National Championships: 1st Place
- 2001 NCAA Division II National Championships: 2nd Place
Mixed martial arts record
| 5 matches | 5 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 5-0 | Mark Kerr
|
KO (Punches) | M-1 Global: Breakthrough | August 28, 2009 | 1 | 0:25 | Kansas City, Kansas, USA
|
Fought at Heavyweight |
| Win | 4-0 |  Ryo Kawamura
|
Decision (Unanimous) | Sengoku 7 | March 20, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan
|
Fought at Light Heavyweight |
| Win | 3-0 | Yukiya Naito
|
TKO (Punches) | Sengoku Rebellion 2009 | January 4, 2009 | 1 | 3:54 | Saitama, Japan
|
Fought at Light Heavyweight |
| Win | 2-0 |  Fabio Silva
|
TKO (Punches) | Sengoku 6 | November 1, 2008 | 3 | 0:41 | Saitama, Japan
|
Fought at Heavyweight |
| Win | 1-0 | Travis Wiuff
|
TKO (Punches) | Sengoku 5 | September 28, 2008 | 1 | 2:11 | Tokyo, Japan
|
Fought at Heavyweight |
See also
References
- ^ Bolduc, Justin (February 23, 2009). "Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal - Sengoku VII". PunchDrunkGamer.com. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/sengoku-notebook-king-mo-breaks-hand-16670
- ^ reference video
- ^ |url=http://mmamania.com/2009/08/10/m-1-global-breakthrough-mark-kerr-replaces-don-frye-against-king-mo-on-aug-28/
- ^ [http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/king-mo-signs-with-strikeforce-20322
- ^ [http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/king-mo-headed-to-strikeforce-eager-to-fight-best-in-organizati/