Strikeforce: Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal Likely to Face Roger Gracie or Ovince St. Preux Next

Quote :

Muhammed Lawal is still without an opponent for his June 18 Strikeforce fight in Dallas, but either Roger Gracie or Ovince St. Preux will be the one to step up and give “King Mo” his royal welcome.

Although the June 18 date for his return is yet to be confirmed by the organization, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker shared Gracie’s and St. Preux’s names as candidates to take on Lawal.

“Roger Gracie would be a potential opponent, maybe OSP,” Coker told MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday.

Lawal (7-1) was last seen attempting to defend his Strikeforce light heavyweight title against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante at Strikeforce: Houston in August of last year. The night didn’t end well for “King Mo,” as Cavalcante beat him on the feet and defended well against the takedown en route to taking the 205-pound title from Lawal. Since then, Lawal has been sidelined with a knee injury and seen no action.

MMAWeekly.com previously reported that June appeared to be the month in which Lawal was looking to return from his layoff.

“I’m healing great,” Lawal told MMAWeekly.com. “(I’m) looking to fight in June.”

Gracie (4-0) had his first mixed martial arts match nearly five years ago, but has focused much of that time on submission and jiu-jitsu competitions. A fight against Lawal would be his second MMA fight of 2011. His first was a win over Trevor Prangley by rear naked choke at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg in January. All four of Gracie’s wins have come by submission.

St. Preux (10-4), otherwise known as “OSP,” is a product of the Strikeforce Challengers series. The former University of Tennessee football player impressed in his last three outings, beating fighters such as Antwain Britt, Benji Radach, and Ron “Abongo” Humphrey. A fight with Lawal would be an immediate step up in competition for OSP.

http://mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-muhammed-king-mo-lawal-likely-to-face-roger-gracie-or-ovince-st-preux-next

I like it! Does Gracie sub Muhammed? Fuck calling him king.

Hopefully Gracie

It's going to be St. Preux.

I still think Roger Gracie is going to somehow be on UFC Rio. I been hearing word that he's only got one fight left on the SF deal and i think it would be awesome if you had Royce, Renzo, and Roger on the card.

I'll ask him for you guys.

OSP is a beast! I hope he fights King Mo. Gracie in the UFC would be great. He is top talent and should be fighting in the UFC now anyways. I don't think he should get a top guy, but I want to see him fight a top 6-10 guy if he fights on the Rio card.

I asked King Mo and he said he hasn't signed anything but he'll fight whoever Strikeforce want him to fight out of the 2.

damn...Freakzilla is the source of all things Mo.

OSP is probably the likely choice. I'd ordinarily take Mo but TKO there but he is coming off layoff and surgery so maybe just decision

KingsOwn19 wrote:

damn...Freakzilla is the source of all things Mo.

Lol, I've been talking to him heaps the past week on facebook. He's pretty cool and will defend Rashad Evans to the end. He thinks Henderson and himself would've beat the Rua that fought last week.

Freakzilla- Your fans would love to see you in the UFC. I think you could take Bader, Forrest, Franklin and Rampage to earn yourself a title shot. Unless of course Rashad is the champ.

Mo Lawal- It'll happen. Trust me.

I would love to see King Mo, Henderson, Mousasi and Cavalcante in the UFC.

bobbitt15 wrote:

OSP is probably the likely choice. I'd ordinarily take Mo but TKO there but he is coming off layoff and surgery so maybe just decision

Agree, and I'd love to see OSP vs Mo, seems like a really good fight. Could learn a little more about both guys.

Freakzilla is now the official go to guy for all things regarding King Mo

lol, this makes my failed attempt to reach Carwin even more laughable

Carwin is a redneck. King Mo is the people's champ.

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Carwin is a redneck. King Mo is the people's champ.

LOL nice!

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Carwin is a redneck. King Mo is the people's champ.

Isn't Shane from Colorado ?

OSP is extremely raw but shows a shitload of promise. I think Mo might lose that one. Roger is obviously dangerous on the ground, he probably subs Mo. Either way, I think Mo loses...which would be OK with me.

Bigs03 wrote:

OSP is extremely raw but shows a shitload of promise. I think Mo might lose that one. Roger is obviously dangerous on the ground, he probably subs Mo. Either way, I think Mo loses...which would be OK with me.

I don't see OSP being ready for Mo. I think Mo takes that one fairly easy.

Gracie is dangerous(obviously), yes there is the issue of can the BJJ guy get the wrestler to the ground. But with his reach, Mo will have to get inside on Gracie if he wants to score. and when there, there will be trouble.

The layoff is an issue as well. But I still think he beats OSP.

Gracie doesn't need to get Mo down really, he could attack from his back. On the feet Mo's got the power, even though he's been wild at times, training with Spong has probably done him some good, he could catch Gracie easily. Gracie used his reach decently in fights, but it isn't threating to a guy like Mo. Be a tough fight to pick tough.

OSP is a better striker then Mo at this point, can he stay off his back is the whole question to that fight.

yeah Gracie could attack from his back. But I think that is a fight in which Mo would gladly keep it standing.

Where as vs OSP I think Mo can take him down at will. And OSP seems to gas real early.

Pretty much, and yeah OSP does gas

OSP is no where near as good of a striker as Mo...lol

What they've both shown, yes he does, maybe Spong has worn off on Mo though.