Gegard Mousasi vs 'King' Mo Lawal in the works for CBS on April 17
by MMAmania.com on Mar 1, 2010 8:28 PM EST
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Ask and you shall receive.
Colorful light heavyweight up-and-comer "King" Mo Lawal has done just about everything in his power in recent days, weeks and months to coordinate a fight against Strikeforce 205-pound champion, Gegard Mousasi.
It apparently worked.
Lawal will get his wish, according to MMAWeekly.com, taking on the stoic Armenian at the upcoming Strikeforce show on CBS, which is tentatively scheduled to take place at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., on April 17.
Strikeforce officials would not immediately confirm or deny the report ... but it makes sense.
With its consensus top-ranked fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, not participating on the card, the promotion needed an interesting match up that it could promote to the masses. And a showdown between the two wildly different personalities outside the cage -- both of whom posses tremendous talent inside of it -- could just be the right answer.
Mousasi is currently on a 15-fight tear, which dates back to 2006. He's been nothing short of outstanding, however, since coming out of seemingly nowhere to win the 2008 DREAM Grand Prix Final with an upkick stoppage of Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
"Dream Catcher" later went on to stop Renato "Babalu" Sobral to capture the Strikeforce light heavyweight crown and then tooled Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via second round technical knockout three months later in a non-title bout.
Mousasi most recently overwhelmed an under matched Gary Goodridge at K-1 Dynamite!!: "Power of Courage" on New Year's Eve 2009.
Lawal, meanwhile, is coming off perhaps the most impressive performance of his young (albeit promising) career with a first round drubbing of the very experienced and capable Mike Whitehead at Strikeforce: "Evolution" in Dec. 2009.
"King" -- a decorated Olympic-caliber wrestler -- transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2008, getting thrown to the wolves in his first match against the dangerous Travis Wiuff at Sengoku: "Fifth Battle."
He shocked just about everyone watching with a technical knockout finish. And he hasn't looked back since.
Strikeforce's encore show on CBS is expected to feature a middleweight championship fight between reigning division kingpin, Jake Shields, and former dual Pride FC champion, Dan Henderson.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to the upcoming Strikeforce/CBS card as they become available.
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Betting against a wrestler has been bad news lately but I still agree
Great fight though King Mo has a chance but I think Gegard will be too much to soon. If Hendeson wins makes a good summer fight between Gegard and Hendo!!
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Yeah I'd like to see that
But I think Mousasi takes that too. His striking is far better than Hendo or Mo’s
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
I'm not set on Dan myself he has one bad weakness....cardio
If his cardio was good I would make a bet with you
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
I dont know
Mousasi doesn’t have one punch knock out like Hendo, but throws in flurrys. He is beatable but since the last time he lost he has improved ten fold. He is all round a better fighter exponentially improving all aspects of his game and remember if it does go to the ground he can submit people of his back. I think Mousasi wins this via submission
Mousasi has a vast standup, maybe not so much in sub grappling but...
don’t count out this new breed of truely world class wrestlers. If he fights smart which i think he will here – Mo can easily take him down and ride him from the top for a UD. Remember it was this time last year that some gritty pothead wrestler named warren with 1 fight took down the guy dubbed by the japanese son of the fighting god. If the lines are right, i am taking him for the upset straight up.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
Mousasi FTW
Good breakdown NNR. That said, if Mousasi loses this one, my faith in the evolution of MMA will take a serious hit.
"You're doing a lot of choppin', but no chips are flyin'." - Foghorn Leghorn
You can never count Hendo out and I'm a huge fan of his
But there is no denying his endurance has been a weakness.I don’t see mousasi doing anything to Hendo early in the fight as I don’t see Shields but if the fight goes into the later rounds Shields & Mousasi have more of a advantage. I’m taking Hendo regardless but if he loses to eather fighter it’s going to be because of his endurance. When he loses by decision it’s because his opponent will get more strikes in and he is unable to go full out like he can early in the fight.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Don't see any way for Hendo to lose to Shields
Shield’s won’t be able to take Dan down, and it will only take 1 Hendo overhand to put Jake to sleep. Dan by KO/TKO.
"You're doing a lot of choppin', but no chips are flyin'." - Foghorn Leghorn
I hope your right Cole
But if Shields can make it even grappling match even standing for the first couple rounds and stay alive and make Hendo work and get the fight into the later rounds he has a chance. But your right Hendo has the ability to finish anyone with his power and abilities and should win. Jake is not pretty but he has a motor with endless gas tank. Like I said I think Hendo will win and if he fights Gegard nest will win that too but if he loses it will be because of his endurance.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
I hope I'm right too, because for no reason whatsoever....
I just can’t stand Jake Shields!!!!! I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I just dislike the guy.
"You're doing a lot of choppin', but no chips are flyin'." - Foghorn Leghorn
Im not counting Mo out either...but if Mo tries to stand with MOusasi, he will get torn apart!
However, if Mo can ride him out on top, and avoiud a FEDOResque arm bar….Mo can win a decision!
Good point john G I'm not sure myself on that one I'm leaning on Gegard
But Mo has the back ground, toughness, striking, power and endurance to compete. I think we may see both fighters chin tested in this one.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Agreed
This fight has come too early for Mo, though hopefully he’ll learn a lot from it win/lose and it will help him improve his skills. Should be a great fight anyway and Mousasi’s toughest test since Jacare.
As for Mousasi-Hendo I like Gegard’s chances a lot, he is the more well rounded fighter and has much better cardio. Gegard by submission in that one.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
I'm even worried about Hendo against Shields
Every fight I can remember Hendo losing was because he gassed out. Silva and Page are to perfect examples. If Shields can stay alive the first couple rounds and maul Hendo and keep him working he has a chance. And with Hendo being out so long I wonder how hard he is pushing himself? At his age his endurance can be the end of his career as usually as you get older the gas tank shrinks with exception to Couture.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Hendo didn't gas...
against Anderson if that’s the “Silva” you’re talking about instead of Wanderlei. Anderson just whooped his ass and he had plenty of rest in the 1st round cause all he did was lay on him.
Fedor played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won... but still avoids the UFC!
?? Watch the fight again bud he gased and gave up a easy rear naked choke.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
i don't remember it that way at all.
I remember him getting hit in the face a bunch of times and then being to dazed to defend. If your at Dan’s level you don’t gas and give up a rear naked in the second round
by Infinite_Jest on Mar 2, 2010 1:10 AM EST up reply actions
im with infinite jest
He got hit with a barage of punches and eventually let the choke sink in after too many strikes and the quick submission attempt.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hendo is gonna brutally lamp shields.
No need for breakdown because it’s just that.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:40 AM EST up reply actions
Hendo wont be taken down by a glorafied MW, and he will have NO respect for Sheilds's stand up and punching power. which means...
He is going to come out guns blazing, and hunt a back peddling sheilds the entire time, until he lands that over hand right and, sheilds goes splat!….Nothing really to left to analyze about this match up!
All I got to say is Infinite watch the fight again
Hendo was gased I guarantee it. Trust me I was cheering for Hendo and he is one of my fauvorite fighters. He himself said he was gased because of the weight drop but even against Page he ran out of steam and had nothing in the later rounds.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
yep, agree Puck
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
I saw it that way too
He gassed badly in round 3 against Franklin too
A burning passion from a burning mass reaches up for the sky
by Shoguns Hairy Forearms. on Mar 2, 2010 7:00 AM EST up reply actions
Gegard is the best. TKO over Mo, but a decision over Hendo.
he will beat anyone outside of UFC.
In UFC (next year) i want Lil Nog and Shogun to fight him the most.
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
I agree
I think that king mo is a guy that runs his mouth and thinks he’s a much better fighter than he really is.
by titonash23 on Mar 2, 2010 7:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Since Fedor isn't fighting,
They need someone other than Henderson/Shields to put asses in the seats.
At least the hardcores will watch now. Neither of these guys will bring a huge audience. Lashley and Walker announcements coming soon, if they haven’t already.
They just announced Melendez and Aoki!!
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
More and more I am becoming a Strikeforce fan.
I ran into a couple friends that got me into UFC back when it was Liddell vs Couture 1. They are starting to jump off the UFC bandwagon and mentioned SF was the better one to watch. Can’t say I agree, but I do see their argument bigtime. $60 for Couture vs Coleman, $60 bucks for Silva vs Evans, $60 for Forrest vs Ortiz, $60 for Cain vs Nog, and I get this card for free??
UFC still puts on more free cards period and the next UFC versus card will be awsome too
Hands down the uFC is by far the best SF does well with the few shows they put on, I’ll give them that.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
perhaps ufc has more fighters more money and has been around much longer?
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
were you talking to me or Dana white? hard to tell with you.
I agree they’ll be around longer and make more coin. But I don’t see SF going away like you all hope.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 10:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think it will either
As long as they don’t spend there money foolishly they will be fine as will Dream and bellator. The MMA world has grown. I’m glad there is other orgs for one as it gives more fighters like king Mo opportunities to shine were it’s more difficult with for them with only one org. SF puts on 4-6 good shows a year and I’ll watch them all. All in all more MMA action for us. The UFC has by far the best structure and depth in MMA.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
$60 for UFC??
Never costs me more than about $45. I’ll watch them both and it’s sure nice to get some SF cards for free and about $25 for the Showtime ones.
What about the other 30 cards the UFC puts on in a year DJF?
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Don’t get me wrong, I love the UFC – I went to 106 and have tickets to 113. $60 is for HD in Canada – sorry $59.99
I guess my point is that I am starting to slow down with my interest in watching every single PPV UFC brings forward. Granted 105 was free, but hasn’t Couture been the main event three times in the last nine numbered cards? Maybe it is just all the injuries and I’m waiting for the three events in March, but I feel like my own hype for UFC is def’ly slowing down.
Puck head – $60 for 99, 102, 103, 104 wasn’t worth it either. Let’s hope 111, 112 and 113 are out of this world but honestly, GSP, Silva, and BJ all defend easily.
by DJF on Mar 2, 2010 8:45 AM EST up reply actions
djf
I agree completely. The ufc is killing some of my anticipation with the almost weekly cards. GSP/Penn/Silva will help with this shortly, but they should still space them at least 6 weeks apart instead of 2 sometimes 3 in 6 weeks.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 10:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Best card of the year coming up is
GSP vs hardy
Mir – Carwin
Alves – Fitch —-looking forward to this one the most
Gegard vs king Mo with Hendo and Shields and others is great but nothing special. I think many were complaining when Hendo was the main event against franklin? The reason I believe this is is because of the UFC expectations but to be honest I question anybody as a MMA fan that complains about a card and the cost, I know were I’m from in Canada and my little city has 10+ pubs that have them and the Casino for free you just have to go buy a pop for F sake, or don’t have any friends to chip in? I understand some are from big cities and if you don’t think $50 is worth it don’t buy it you can watch it on Spike a month later. I don’t think many complain about free tv and guess what the UFC puts on more free fights than anyone the next versus is going to be awsome.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
daniel did you just say you'd rather see less UFC?
About 9 shows a year is good enough for you? You didn’t do the math on that did you?
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
Real question would be
How much would you pay for each SF event?
A burning passion from a burning mass reaches up for the sky
by Shoguns Hairy Forearms. on Mar 2, 2010 7:02 AM EST reply actions
why is that the real question?
We don’t pay for them. I don’t pay for the CBS cards or the Showtime ones, I get em all free and have been longer then WEC was free. Ill worry bout it when their greed equals Zuffas who deemed 44,95 fair for WEC PPV.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
actually i did pay PPV money once for SF
The Arlovski vs Rogers card, and I was very impressed. Didn’t regret it at all. I believe it was 34.95 I paid. But with Riggs, Baroni, Lawlor, Sheilds, I was more than happy at the time.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
You were happy paying for....
Riggs, Baroni, Lawlor, Sheilds, LOL What is wrong with you?
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
I'm picking King Mo
I think Mousasi is overrated. King Mo is too strong. King Mo via GnP or Lay ’n Pray
War Mousasi!!
I’ll be shocked if king mo wins this fight but it wudnt be the 1st time! Mousasi has finished some legit fighters! Idk no who mike whitehead fought that makes people think he has an iron chin but I don’t think he can do that 2 mousasi!
by d*locc on Mar 2, 2010 12:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
King Mo
is in trouble. I wont be shocked to see him decision Mousasi but we are definitely going to learn 3 things.
1. How is Mo’s Striking?
2. How is Mousasi’s TD Defense and Sub Offense?
3. How is Mo’s Sub Defense?
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