Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Lawal is back in action this Saturday night (Sept. 10) on the main card of the promotion's heavyweight grand prix event from the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"King Mo" will battle undefeated grappling wizard Roger Gracie live on Showtime.

Lawal hasn't been seen since Aug. 2010, when he dropped his 205-pound strap to Rafael Cavalcante in his first title defense after winning the belt from Gegard Mousasi.

To add injury to insult, the freestyle wrestling phenom blew out his knee in the process, forcing him out of action for an extended period of time.

But that hasn't hurt his status as odds-on favorite in "Queen City," as the bookies have pegged him at -150 against Gracie's +120.

After injuries and a myriad of other problems kept Gracie from competing, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Superfight Champion finally made his Strikeforce debut at the "Heavy Artillery" Showtime event last May 2010, strangling Kevin Randleman to notch his third win in as many tries.

The victory was Gracie's first on U.S. soil since throwing his hat into the sport way back in December 2006. He followed that up with yet another submission victory, a first round choke-out of well-traveled veteran Trevor Prangley.

Lawal is a big step up for the budding mixed martial artist; can he handle it?

The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinals will feature a headlining tournament bout between former PRIDE stars Josh Barnett and Sergei Kharitonov.

For more on Saturday night's Showtime event click here and be sure to check back with us throughout the week for more Strikeforce odds, news and interviews right here on MMAmania.com.