'King Mo' Lawal set to return to Bellator MMA tournament action in Summer 2013

Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion "King Mo" Muhammed Lawal will return to Bellator mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament action this summer, according to MMAWeekly.com, taking part in the promotion's new four-man format competition that was announced earlier this afternoon.

Lawal is a fighter with an impressive wrestling background, establishing himself as one of the top talents to compete under the Strikeforce banner before it folded earlier this year. Following a failed test for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and an injured knee, Lawal did not make the jump to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), instead signing with Bellator, citing an interest to also dabble in professional wrestling (TNA/Impact Wrestling).

After signing a hybrid deal with Bellator and its television partner, Spike TV, Lawal entered Bellator with an impressive knockout victory over Przemyslaw Mysiala to open this past season's 205-pound tournament. In his next tournament appearance, Lawal met Emanuel Newton, eventually succumbing to a very surprising spinning backfist knockout in the first round.

Watch the upset special right here.

Lawal was the first fighter announced for the summer light heavyweight tournament, but it seems likely that Renato Sobral -- another high-profile signing for the promotion -- will also participate. Unfortunately, "Babalu" suffered a similar fate as "King Mo," losing via knockout in the quarterfinals to Mikhail Zayats in the same tournament.

Better luck next time?