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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight hopeful and flamboyant Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 standout, Seth Petruzelli, has a habit of punishing mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions for trying to use him as a stepping stone for its future champions.
Just ask Kimbo Slice.
"The Silverback" (14-7) has recently found himself in the path of Bellator MMA star Muhammed Lawal, in what promises to be a make-or-break fight for "King Mo" at the Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma on June 19, 2013.
After his unceremonious exit from Strikeforce (because of this), Lawal (9-2) was quickly scooped up by the gang at Spike TV in a much-ballyhooed television deal that would see his duties split between Bellator MMA and TNA Impact! Wrestling.
Unfortunately, he came up short in his first fight, falling to Emanuel Newton back in February.
"Mo" will get a second shot at a 205-pound title run next month in "The Sooner State," but Petruzelli tells Jack Brown he intends to "f--k those plans up" by defeating the former Division 1 All-American Wrestler and carving out his own path to the title.
"I'm not an idiot. I know Bellator is trying to get Mo as their champ. I swear I'm gonna do everything in my power to f--- up their plans for that! That has been my driving force. I'm being overlooked and it pisses me off. No other comment. Next question!"
Petruzelli had some problems of his own in his Bellator debut, getting stopped by Jacob Noe last January in California.
Both fighters are coming off a loss; however, the stakes are a bit higher for Lawal, who commanded a hefty payday for his free-agent services and now needs to make good on Viacom's investment. It may prove challenging to market him as a pro wrestler if he's unable to secure a win as an MMA fighter.
Not that it stopped Brock Lesnar.
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