'King Mo' Lawal calls for Bellator fight with Fedor Emelianenko

Muhammed Lawal

After an impressive performance in the Rizin FF heavyweight tournament, Muhammed Lawal wants a shot at one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Lawal (19-4), who picked up three victories in two days to win the New Year’s Eve tournament in Japan, has now won seven straight fights since a controversial loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in 2014.

So what’s next for the former Bellator tournament winner and ex-Strikeforce champion? According to “King Mo,” he wants a shot at Fedor Emelianenko (35-4) – and he wants it in a Bellator cage (via Twitter):

Emelianenko was the centerpiece of the recent Rizin FF doubleheader, where he scored a quick TKO victory over Jaideep Singh (2-1) in the featured attraction. Since a three-fight skid that ended his Strikeforce run in 2011 and prompted the former PRIDE champ to return overseas, the famed Russian is now 4-0. Against Singh, he ended a three-plus-year retirement and is reportedly looking to fight again in April.

Bellator provided some talent for the Rizin FF events, including Lawal and Brennan Ward, so it’s conceivable Emelianenko could make his way to the Bellator cage, though it likely remains a longshot due to his hefty price tag.

Still, it apparently won’t stop Lawal, who’s set to move up to No. 12 in the MMAjunkie/USA TODAY Sports MMA light-heavyweight rankings later today, from calling for the marquee matchup against a legend in a heavier weight class.

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.