Following an impressive three-fight showing during the Rizin FF 100kg World Grand Prix, many believed that Muhammed Lawal’s tournament victory set up an eventual match-up with Fedor Emelianenko.
Lawal revealed during the post-fight press conference in Japan that he was open to the fight but would not call out a legend like Emelianenko. King Mo changed his tune a few days later when he took to social media to challenge the ‘Last Emperor’ to a fight at a Bellator event in Dallas.
During an interview with Submission Radio, Lawal explained his thought process.
“I wouldn’t mind having a big fight in Dallas,” said Lawal. “We could do big things there; you know what I’m saying. Fedor is a known legend. We can go to Japan – at the same time, you know, why not do…you know, Bellator did me a favour by letting me go out there and fight and fighting in Rizin. So why not me return the favour back to Bellator and let Fedor fight me in a Bellator, free on Spike TV?”
While Fedor is a larger fighter who competed for the entirety of his career at heavyweight, Lawal believes he has several advantages over the former Pride FC champion.
“I think I’d have the wrestling advantage and I think I have the speed and quickness. But Fedor is crafty, man. Fedor has great timing. Fedor has the power advantage; definitely the size advantage. But I’ve fought guys with size and power advantage most of my career. I’m not a big 205-pounder. Right now as we speak, I’m probably about 209. For those that don’t know, that’s about 95 kilos. So I’m not that big of a 205-pounder, 93-kilo-pounder. I’m really 185 but I just fight up there cause that’s where the money’s at.”
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