No one here at ProMMAnow.com predicted Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante would defeat Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. Our “Strikeforce: Houston” Staff Picks reflected our belief that Lawal’s wrestling would likely play a big part in the fight, much like it did when he fought Gegard Mousasi to win the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.
Credit is due “Feijao” for some impressive takedown defense which included at one point retaining his balance while posting up on one arm, both legs firmly in Lawal’s arms.
Having said that, Lawal did slam him on his back a couple of times when he set his mind to it, although Feijao did not stay there long.
So what happened with Mo? After the fight, in the in-cage interview, he said he already knew the mistakes he had made and he and his coaches would make the necessary adjustments.
Is it really as simple as making a few technical adjustments , or is there more to it?
Obviously Mo is an incredible talent. He had seven straight wins before this fight, both at heavyweight and light heavyweight. And for anyone not named Brock Lesnar, the level of success he’s achieved so quickly is rarely seen.
When success comes so quickly, maybe it leads to things such as keeping your hands down against someone like Feijao.
In a pre-fight interview on the Showtime broadcast, Mo said his game plan was to just go out there and “have fun.” That’s not a new statement from Mo. He has often mentioned “having fun out there” and “it’s fun for him.”
King Mo has a job he thoroughly enjoys. He’s an entertainer as well as a fighter, and has a hell of a lot more personality than some of the guys out there. As with any successful, confident young man with a large personality, there’s going to be haters.
Yet, Mo’s been the same man since day one, since his first fight. He came dancing into the ring wearing a crown and robe and surrounded by women. Sometimes the women have been Asian, sometimes they were white or African American. The women have changed depending on where Mo fights, but his personality hasn’t changed.
Now comes the time when we find out Mo’s true potential, whether he was a flash in the pan or if he’s in for the long haul. Something tells me Mo welcomes the challenge like he’s welcomed every opponent they’ve matched him up with.
Mo’s never claimed to be the best. I’ve never once heard him claim to be the greatest. Of course if you ask him if he would fight Fedor or any other man, he’s going to say yes and believe he can win. That’s just the way most of these guys are built, but we’re the ones asking him and putting his name in the same sentence as Fedor, not him.
There is not one single fighter in the sport today considered a legend who is undefeated. I’ll repeat that just in case you missed it…
There is not a single fighter in the sport today considered a legend who is undefeated.
When is the last time you saw someone considered a wrestler do what Mo did in his fight Saturday night with those body shots and even attempting the kind of stand up style Mo was using? Think about the great wrestlers who have transitioned to MMA, then think about their fighting styles.
Can you even think of one who has attempted anything closely resembling what Mo was doing in that fight? Of course it didn’t work out for him in the end, but he was doing pretty good, and you weren’t bored were you? Whether you were glad or sad Mo lost, my guess is you were entertained.
Mo I think is more a victim of his own success than anything. He was having fun, trying some new stuff, in a REAL FIGHT and it didn’t work out this time.
Entire articles can and should be written on how well Feijao performed. I don’t want to take one thing away from him. However, Mo has taken a lot of heat, and much of it I think is unjust. And certainly this will be the time when his critics will be the loudest, saying “told you so.”
Here’s my guess. Mo will keep doing his thing. He will learn from his mistakes and be the better for it. The haters will hate, and those who can appreciate real talent regardless of someone’s personality will recognize Mo Lawal is still an exceptional athlete forging what will likely be a long and highly successful mixed martial arts career.
I’d really like to see him at 185. There are less money fights there, but I think dropping some muscle mass would add to his already stellar speed.
If he drops to 185 he will be the best in the division in three years time IMHO. That includes if Anderson stays in the division.
I like him at 205. Heck he had some good fights at heavyweight. It’s only one loss. If he can learn from this and come back strong he could make a good run. I would say save going down in weight for later maybe if he’s starts having more problems at 205. Just my opinion.
He wrestled at 84 kg, so it is not like he could not make 185.