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[Cat--Smasher]

Bellator, Super Fight League Both Voice Interest in New Free Agent 'King' Mo Lawal

When Muhammed Lawal was cut by Strikeforce this week following a nine-month suspension, his future was thrown into disarray. For now, Lawal is still on the mend from recent knee surgery, but he may not have to wait long to find a new home.

At least two promotions have stated their interest in the former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion. In separate interviews with MMA Fighting, both Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and Super Fight League CEO Ken Pavia confirmed that they would likely reach out to Lawal in the near future to assess the possibility of pursuing him as a free agent for their respective organizations.

While Bellator has only signed a few fighters on the way out of Zuffa-owned promotions, Rebney said that Lawal would be the type they may target because of his upside potential and relative youth in the game (Lawal turned pro in 2008). Rebney hasn't so much as sent out a feeler yet, but said he's always heard great things about Lawal from mutual acquaintances to go along with his athletic talent. Because of those reasons, Rebney said he owed it to his company to explore the possibility.

"He's too talented of a fighter. He has too much athletic ability to ignore," he told MMA Fighting. "There were obviously pieces from his game that were missing that got exploited, but he's an incredible athlete, a talented fighter, a charismatic personality. Look at him and what he was able to accomplish in a series of fights. So yeah, I'd absolutely talk to him, and I anticipate I will be talking to him."

Meanwhile, the India-based Super Fight League recently hosted its its inaugural event in Mumbai, and a sophomore effort is just days away, with a full 2012 schedule already set. That means the promotion is on the lookout for talent, and according to Pavia, Lawal is on their radar.

"I have the utmost respect for King Mo," Pavia said. "He's a true student of the game and is exceedingly intelligent. Most importantly, he understands that we are entertainers and this is entertainment. He just gets it. It goes without saying that the SFL would love to have King Mo fight in our organization. We'll use best efforts to make that happen."

Bellator, Super Fight League Both Voice Interest in New Free Agent 'King' Mo Lawal - MMA Fighting

[Spyke]

Dana never seemed to be too keen on King Mo, but it was a big missed opportunity for Zuffa IMO. I'd love to see him in bellator.

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted by Spyke

Dana never seemed to be too keen on King Mo, but it was a big missed opportunity for Zuffa IMO. I'd love to see him in bellator.

Ya I really didn't get why Dana wanted nothing to do with him either. He's a great heel, and has the skills to compete with most fighters at 205.

[copperfield]

If he doesn't sign with a new org in a few months, he will sign with the UFC. Since Mo was cut from SF and is now a free agent, the UFC can't be sued by Showtime for poaching all the talent from SF. Remember when Overeem was cut from SF but then ended up in UFC.