To be successful in combat sports, an athlete needs to have measurable talent in a diverse array of categories. Physical skill and cerebral acuity are important elements to finding victory inside of the cage, just as charisma and an established voice are necessary to connect with the sport’s fanbase on the outside.
There are opportunities aplenty for a fighter who can put all of these attributes together in one singular package, and Muhammed Lawal is proof of what that formula can produce.
The 33-year-old Tennessee native is a guaranteed attraction in the fight game and one who comes equipped with a starching right hand and high-level microphone skills that can promote any matchup he’s linked to.
He’s also quick to speak his mind and share his perspective on how he sees the overall business of MMA—an avenue the majority of fighters are unwilling to travel.
Those elements add up to make “King Mo” one of the most polarizing figures in MMA, and garnering the caliber of attention he demands is paying off for the outspoken light heavyweight.
While there have been various setbacks over the past five years, Lawal’s trajectory has still continued on an upward trend. The former Oklahoma State University wrestling standout has survived and persevered through controversy, injuries and a near-fatal staph infection to become one of the top stars under the Bellator banner.
His signing in late 2012 was perhaps the biggest in the promotion’s history, and even when a pair of losses to current champion Emanuel Newton stunted his run at the 205-pound strap, Lawal kept things rolling.
The former Strikeforce champion didn’t allow the adversity to rattle him, because even though there would be a bit of turbulence in the immediate future, his ultimate goal never wavered.
Another opportunity to become the light heavyweight champion would be pushed back a bit further down the road, but there were going to be more paydays approaching. And that’s where Lawal put his focus.
Fight nights bring paychecks and the opportunity to put all the hard work inside the gym to the test. Those are the things that drive Lawal forward and keep him hungry to succeed.
“The immediate goals are to keep it moving and getting paydays and the ultimate goal is to get the belt,” he told Bleacher Report. “I’m gonna keep whooping some ass and get the belt. That’s what I’m gonna do. I like whooping ass and I like getting paid. I also like to test out my new techniques. Under the bright lights is when you see what’s going down and what is the real deal.”
During his two years under the Bellator banner, Lawal’s been one of the most active fighters on the organization’s roster.
When he steps in to face Joe Vedepo at Bellator 131 in San Diego on Nov. 15, the bout will be his ninth showing for the promotion in just under 22 months. His current rate of activity is precisely where Lawal wants things to be, especially after he spent the majority of his 2012 campaign on the sidelines recovering from multiple knee surgeries.
It took a lot of work for Lawal to make a full recovery, and he believes his current physical condition has exceeded what it was before the injuries. Lawal is feeling better than ever and is looking forward to further progressing his skill set.
“It feels good to be as active as I am and my body is actually getting better,” Lawal said. “When I hit Bellator in 2012, I had two ACL surgeries in that one year. Then I came back really fast and fought. Now, my body is starting to catch up with me and I’m feeling good. I feel better this year than I have in a long time and I’m exited to see where it goes.”
As a veteran of the fight game, Lawal is aware of how quickly things can change en route to fight night. While he was originally slated to face Tom DeBlass at Bellator 131—a rescheduled bout that was set to go down in September—the New Jersey native was once again forced out of their upcoming tilt after suffering an accidental headbutt near the end of his training camp. DeBlass broke the news last Saturday over social media, and Bellator quickly tapped Vedepo to step in as his replacement.
DeBlass also noted in his statement that he was retiring from MMA, which means Lawal will never get the opportunity to lock up with him inside the cage. Nevertheless, Lawal has shifted his focus to his new opponent and will be ready to handle business next Saturday night in San Diego.
“It is what it is and I ain’t trippin’. I just have to go out there and fight,” he said. “[DeBlass] thought he could beat me and I was like, ‘Hey … if you think you can beat me then fight me.’ He was down to fight me, but the stars just aren’t lining up for it to happen. He had two freak injuries. I don’t know how a kneecap pops out of place, but it happens to people. Then he gets a nasty cut on a Saturday, and Saturdays are usually an easy day. But I guess he had a partner he was going with that just wasn’t using his brain and headbutted him and cut him open. It’s a freak thing, but stuff like that happens in sports. It’s crazy.
“[Vedepo] is a really tough guy,” he said in regard to his new opponent. “I haven’t had a chance to watch a lot of film on him, but I will this week, and I’ll figure it out. He’s a wrestler who likes to throw. He’s a tough guy, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have my hands full a little bit. We’ll see, but I train to have my hands full. I train for tough fights, and I go out there to take care of business.”
In addition to Lawal’s personal goals within Bellator’s light heavyweight division, the company that surrounds him is undergoing major changes. The promotion’s original chief executive officer, Bjorn Rebney, was ousted earlier this year and replaced by former Strikeforce front man Scott Coker. The switch created a sudden burst of positivity for the organization in the MMA community, and those vibes have held strong throughout the early stages of Coker’s time at the helm.
Lawal and Coker have worked together previously under the Strikeforce banner, and the 205-pound contender has full confidence in where Bellator is heading.
“I feel like the energy is different,” Lawal said. “It’s hard to say, but you can see for yourself by the media coverage now. I think some things are similar to how it was at Strikeforce, but now that Scott Coker has seen everything, he’s ready to move on full speed ahead. I think he’s going to do bigger and better things in Bellator. He has a plan and whatever he believes in, I believe in.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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