This weekend at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, the light heavyweight category features former Strikeforce titlist Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and undefeated prospect Lorenz Larkin.
Whilst Lawal has had only one outing in 2011—a first-round KO of Roger Gracie, 25-year-old Larkin has racked up four—two unanimous decisions and two TKO wins.
The calibre of opponents that “The Monsoon” has fought might not be akin to the ones Lawal has thrown down with, but the most important factor is that he’s undefeated in his 12 career fights.
Still, against Lawal, he’ll be facing an accomplished NCAA Division I wrestler with above-average boxing skills.
What Larkin brings to the table is his ever-improving Muay Thai and boxing, as well as his amazing kung fu skill set.
It’s safe to say that Larkin has tremendous striking power—annihilating eight opponents in his first 10 bouts, with six in the first round.
The Monsoon’s weakness, however, lies in his takedown defense and lack of wrestling background, which was quite obvious when he faced Gianpiero Villante in the first round of his second fight for the Strikeforce company—he was easily taken to ground.
Be that as it may, he still accounted well for himself and later took the fight to Villante.
With that vulnerability in mind and Lawal’s exquisite wrestling background, it’s a prerequisite that he keeps the fight standing.
As long as he remains standing, his diversified arsenal of kicks as well as his striking ability will prove too much for King Mo, which will eventually lead to a win in the manner of a KO or TKO.
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