This is the Bellator 120 live blog for Rampage Jackson vs. King Mo, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday night’s Bellator event at the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss.
Jackson, who has won two of his past five fights, will face Lawal, who has won three of his past five fights, on the main card.
Check out the Bellator 120 live blog below.
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Round 1: John McCarthy is the referee for this main event. They didn’t touch gloves. Lawal immediately scores a takedown, within the first few seconds. Rampage mouthing to Mo on his back, and Lawal is transitioning, or at least trying to, but Jackson closes guard. Lawal lands some shots from top. Jackson gets to his knees and is able to get back up. Lawal is insistent on the single-leg, though, and won’t let it go, and he dumps Jackson back down to his rump on the fence. Once again Jackson stands for a brief second, but Lawal dumps him down again. As Jackson gets to a knee on fence, Lawal comes in with a series of thigh kicks. Jackson steadily stands back up, and Lawal drops down low and — once again — takes Jackson down. The wrestler brought his singlet to Memphis. Knees to the side of Jackson, who is on his knees. He stands up, and this time grabs Lawal’s wrists to prevent the high-low, and they break. Crowd lets up a roar as they roll to center. This is where Jackson wants to be. He swings from distance, but misses — now lands a jab. Jackson mindful of the takedown, so keeping safe distance. A nice one-two from JAckson, but not a lot of mustard on either shot. Body kick from Lawal lands. Jackson runs across the cage, and lands a nice right hand on fence. Throws another errant punch as the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Lawal, 10-9.
Round 2:Jackson to center, and he is looking to throw something big. Lawal throws low kick which might have hit Jackson’s groin, but he keeps fighting. Mo shoots in, but is thwarted. Jackson stalks forward. He’s tossing the left hand out there in distraction, holding his right cocked, and now he lands a shot and puts Mo on skates for a second. Lawal recovers enough to shoot in, but Jackson defends. Jackson changes levels now and pops up with an uppercut, which didn’t land clean. The jab is working for Jackson, though. Once again, Lawal shoots in, and Jackson sprawls on fence; he has his legs wide, and isn’t budging. Lawal scoops up Jackson’s leg, and he has to let it go as Jackson corks around. Lawal keeps the pressure on him though, now dropping knees into Jackson’s thighs. Jackson doing a good job with his hips. They separate. Big combination from Lawal there! He lands a solid left. Jackson takes it no problem, and hunts for his own — but Lawal shoots in and takes Jackson down on fence. This time he can’t keep him there, though, as “Rampage” stands up. Blood trickling down Lawal’s face. Solid uppercut by Rampage there, and the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Jackson, 10-9 (19-19 overall)
Round 3: Rampage to center, and they are both playing a little cautious. Now they mix it up inside, and Rampage got the better of the exchange. Left hook from Jackson lands, and that prompts Lawal to try for a takedown, and he slowly backs him to the fence, ducking his head under Jackson’s armpit. Now he drops lower to the ankles, and snatches Jackson off his feet. Lawals grinding now, just frustrating Jackson, trying to free up space in which to land. McCarthy, hovering right over top, calls for them to work. Jackson gives a look like, ‘stand us up then.’ Now Jackson rolls, and Mo has his back. Jackson able to stand up, while Lawal, still attached to his back, tries to bring him right back down. He can’t. They reset to center. Jackson wants to land that right hand badly, but not being given the opportunity. Just as he gets ready to, Lawal shoots in and again drives him to the fence where he looks to plop him. Jackson’s takedown defense much better through rounds two and three. As they stay tight, McCarthy moves in and separates them. Jackson wades in, ducks out from a punch and misses a big right. Uppercut lands, though, and it’s answered by a jab from Lawal. Crowd not overly pleased. Lots of boos. They jaw at each other as the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Lawal, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Lawal)
Bellator 120 results: Quinton Jackson def. Muhammed Lawal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)