King Mo

[jimsteel]

FROM LORDS OF PAIN


Former Light Heavyweight Champ to Fight for Bellator in 2013
And Join the Stars of TNA Wrestling This Summer

New York, NY, May 10, 2012 – In an unprecedented move, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, “King Mo” Lawal, has signed a deal to compete in Spike TV’s two major sports properties, Bellator Fighting Championships and TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling. “King Mo” will join the stars of TNA this summer and resume his mixed martial arts career next year when Bellator Fighting Championships moves to Spike TV from its current television home, MTV2. The deal was jointly announced today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV along with Bjorn Rebney, Chairman & CEO, Bellator Fighting Championships and Dixie Carter, President, TNA Entertainment.

“‘King Mo’ is an incredible athlete and a great addition to the Bellator family. He immediately adds prominence and star-power to our light heavyweight division,” said Rebney.

“‘King Mo’ is the perfect athlete for this type of alliance. He is the real deal in MMA, and his bold personality and world class wrestling accomplishments are unparalleled. I’m confident he will have a major impact in both sports,” stated Carter.

Lawal (10-1-1) launched his mixed martial arts career in 2008, and after four straight wins, he faced off against his toughest challenge, renowned fighter Mark Kerr. “King Mo” knocked out Kerr in the first round, and eight months later he defeated Gegard Mousasi in a Light Heavyweight world title fight. Lawal also holds an impressive KO victory against multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship winner Roger Gracie in September 2011.

“This deal is a dream come true for me,” Lawal said. “Bjorn and Dixie have given me the opportunity to engage in my two great loves, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, at the same time. And, to have it all on Spike TV is really buttercream icing on a big ol’ cake – not that whipped cream stuff either!”

Lawal rose to grappling acclaim as a NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University in 2003 and a three-time U.S. National Champion (2005, 2006, and 2008) in the 84 kilogram division. In 2007, as a member of the US National team, he brought home a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the World Cup.

A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Lawal lives in San Jose, Calif. and trains with the prominent American Kickboxing Academy

[pikemojo]

Just dumb. There is no way he is coming cheap. Probably not Hulk Hogan money or anything but he certainly doesn't bring the ratings up himself.

[LWPD]

The move makes sense for him in the interim. King Mo was busted for steroid use, triggering a 9 month suspension that started in March. Shortly thereafter, he was released from his Strikeforce contract after making disparaging comments toward one of the NSAC panelists. The wrestling gig is a way to stay in the spotlight and keep earning a living, with Bellator (which is very weak at LHW) keeping him MMA relevant.

[Justin Case]

yet another dude TNA will let in with a history of drugs. I believe in second chances, but I'm starting to detect a sense of bad business practices here in TNA!

[pikemojo]

May 12, 2012 7:48:20 GMT -5 LWPD said:

The move makes sense for him in the interim. King Mo was busted for steroid use, triggering a 9 month suspension that started in March. Shortly thereafter, he was released from his Strikeforce contract after making disparaging comments toward one of the NSAC panelists. The wrestling gig is a way to stay in the spotlight and keep earning a living, with Bellator (which is very weak at LHW) keeping him MMA relevant.

Totally makes sense for him and is a good pickup for Bellator as long as he doesn't test positive again. Just doesn't make sense for TNA in my view. We will see though, maybe Bellator/TNA/Spike really advertise his TNA appearances a ton on Bellator broadcasts and maybe (probably not) it increases ratings with MMA fans wanting to see him wrestle.