King Mo to TNA

[Postman Dave]

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

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-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion 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 ole cake – not that whipped cream stuff either!â€

King Mo 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 U.S. 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.

I've heard of him, but I'm not overly familiar. Any MMA guys that can help? Is this TNA's own "Brock" signing?

 

[Hoss]

He's not the best backstage influence at all and has had legal troubles. But, he hasn't done any crutial damage to his legitimacy though, you could say. He still has potential to improve himself and keep his career in tact, really. He's a pretty big name, though. Outside of Fedor, he's probably the most famous non-UFC MMA fighter out there right now.

 

[Castiel]

Watching his interview on MMA Uncensored right now, he seems like a pretty cool guy and he's obviously a real fan which always earns points in my books. The host is saying he doesn't have to earn a TNA title but he's putting the company over saying that he really would have to pay his dues and has to go train at OVW first. Just judging off this I like him, and it showed some of his entrance and he's obviously a showman with his crown and all. Never seen any of his MMA fights.

 

[The Viper]

According to Fuji (I didn't watch the interview. Wasn't particularly interested), Mo name dropped The Great Muta as one of his favorites. That's incredible.

 

[Castiel]

Indeed he did. It was Flair, meh, no surprise. Booker, interesting. Muta, whoa!

 

[Fuji Vice]

Yep, he name dropped Muta for the fucking win. That's so awesome.

 

[Hoss]

Indeed he did mention Muta, along with Flair and Booker. Anyways, I've always been interested in King Mo. I love him from his Strikeforce work and quite frankly, they couldn't have contracted a better available fighter to come in and be a big hit. He didn't seem in the zone during this interview but he's generally a very charasmatic guy. I think he can become a pretty good pro wrestler in due time. I say they bring Dan Severn and/or Sylvester Terkay in to train him. Both have been capable of making a name for themselves in both the martial arts world and in the pro wrestling world, so I'm sure thery could help him more than Danny Davis or any other OVW trainer ever could..