Manager: Lawal Out 9 Months for Knee Surgery

The 29-year-old Lawal lost his title to Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante at Strikeforce “Houston” on Saturday at the Toyota Center, after the Brazilian floored the collegiate wrestling champion with consecutive knees and a right hand. Cavalcante coaxed out a third-round referee stoppage shortly after.

Lawal had been leading on the scorecards up to that point, Sherdog.com confirmed with the Texas Combat Sports Progam.

Parsons said the injury occurred during Saturday’s bout and that Lawal will undergo surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.

“Mo wanted to take one more fight, but we decided that this injury should be attended to first,” said Parsons after Lawal was examined by his physician on Monday.

Lawal, a 2005 U.S. world wrestling team member, underwent ACL surgery in 2009 after tearing the ligament during the first round of his bout against Ryo Kawamura at Sengoku “Seventh Battle” in March 2009.

“Mo danced to the ring and had to be carried out,” said Parsons.

Lawal rattled off a four-fight victory run in Sengoku before Strikeforce acquired the former University of Central Oklahoma wrestler and 2002 Div. II national champion in late 2009. Lawal out-wrestled Gegard Mousasi to a five-round unanimous decision for Strikeforce’s 205-pound title at Strikeforce “Nashville” on April 17 in Tennessee and has become the one of the promotion’s biggest stars in his three-fight tenure.