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I guess this was just a practice run.
Once considered one of the world’s top light heavyweight prospects, former Strikeforce 205-pound champion Muhammed Lawal, at this stage of his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, is just trying to retire on a win.
The means to that end is a 195-pound catchweight fight against the unheralded Andrew Kapel, who will throw hands with “King Mo” at the upcoming Bellator 233 event on Nov. 8 inside WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
“I just want to end my final fight with a win, unlike wrestling,” Lawal told MMA Fighting. “My final wrestling match was a loss, and I want to finish with Scott Coker in Bellator. Call it a wrap.”
It’s been a rough couple of years for the 38 year-old Lawal (21-9, 1 NC). He’s been knocked out in three straight losses and dropped five of his last seven. “King Mo” also got pinched for steroids back in 2012, which didn’t help his then-negotiations with UFC.
As for Kapel (14-6), he’s the winner of four straight with three of those victories coming by way of rear-naked choke. This will mark the Minnesotan’s Bellator MMA debut after a successful career on the regional circuit.
For much more on Bellator MMA’s upcoming fight schedule click here.