Pro Wrestler Or Fighter? Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal Talks Of A Very Hard Decision

Mixed Martial Arts almost never had one of its burgeoning superstars.

Many of the current generation of fighters grew up in the 1990s. During that time, MMA was more of an underground sensation than anything else. The sport that attracted a similar athlete was professional wrestling.

Flashy Strikeforce light heavyweight Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal definitely fits into that category of athlete. He readily admits to being attracted to the bright lights that make up World Wrestling Entertainment.

“I’m still a big wrestling fan,” Lawal said, when asked if he had interest in WWE. “(Executives) Tom Pritchard and Jerry Brisco—they hit me up. WWE offered me a tryout.”

However, the two sides never reached a deal.

“I was going to do it, but I wanted to wrestle and do MMA,” Lawal said. “I’d love to do it when I’m done fighting.”

In the past year, current heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley has simultaneously worked in both Strikeforce and TNA professional wrestling. While he has scaled back his schedule with TNA, Lashley has not ruled out possibly going back to wrestling.

Lawal is not interested in following Lashley’s path.

“MMA is a lifestyle,” Lawal said. “If I’m going to do MMA, I’m going to go in headfirst. I can’t distract myself by going back and forth. I think it would hinder my performance.”

Looking at his 6-0 record, Lawal’s performances are anything but hindered. In his first ever professional fight, Lawal defeated former UFC and Pride FC veteran Travis Wiuff.

“No one had me winning,” Lawal said in regards to his debut against Wiuff. “People thought I’d get knocked out. I’d only been training for a month, and I took the fight on one week’s notice.”

Lawal made a huge statement in that first fight. He needed only a little more than two minutes to get the knockout. At the time, Wiuff had a record of 54-12. Due to Wiuff’s experience, the fight would likely not even be sanctioned in the United States.

Following the victory, Lawal rolled off five more wins. Among the victims were MMA veterans Fabio Silva and Mike Whitehead.

Now, Lawal gets ready for his seventh and most impressive opponent. He is set to take on Strikeforce light heavyweight Gegard Mousasi. The bout will take place on Saturday, April 17 live on CBS.

Even though Mousasi has reeled off 15 straight victories and is widely considered one of the top three or four light heavyweights in the sport, Lawal is not giving his opponent too much credit.

“Good against who?” Lawal said when asked if he thought Mousasi looked impressive in his recent fights. “Mark Hunt? Of course you’re supposed to submit Mark Hunt. Gary Goodrich? All he did was take Gary Goodrich down.”

Lawal had more to say about Mousasi’s opposition.

“He surprised Babalu. He surprised Denis Kang. He submitted Melvin Manhoef, and if you’re going to beat Manhoef, that’s the way. He upkicked Jacare. The fight with Sokoudjou went back and forth.”

If Lawal is trying to hide his uneasiness about facing Mousasi, he certainly is not letting it affect his preparation.

“I haven’t changed any of my training,” Lawal said. “It’s just a fight. I’m willing to stand, or I’m willing to go to the ground. I’m ready man. I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”

Should Lawal defeat the favored Mousasi, he will instantly become one of the top light heavyweights in the sport. He believes a win is the most unexpected thing Mousasi should prepare for.

“Surprise? Yes—a victory,” Lawal said when giving a prediction on the fight. “I think people are counting me out and saying Mousasi is the next big thing.

“I’m going to win the fight. I know Mousasi is underestimating me because I don’t have that many fights. I will get my hand raised.”