'Moneyweight' Muhammed Lawal planning on adding 185 pounds to his rotation in 2016

Muhammed Lawal

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal will take part in next week’s Rizin Fighting Federation heavyweight tournament, but don’t think that’s an indication of his future intentions. In fact, he plans on going in the opposite direction.

“I think you might see a new weight class – a new addition to the moneyweight – not just 205 and heavyweight, but 185, as well,” Lawal told MMAjunkie.

Lawal (16-4 MMA, 8-3 BMMA) meets England’s Brett McDermott (5-2) in the opening round of the Rizin tourney, which takes place on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and airs in North America on Spike.

Lawal hopes to make a splash in the eight-man bracket, but the event will likely just be a one-off, and Bellator will continue to serve as his primary employer.

Earlier this year, Lawal was involved in Bellator’s single-night, four-man light heavyweight tournament, where he hoped to emerge with a shot at current 205-pound champ Liam McGeary. Unfortunately, a rib injury forced Lawal out of the tournament, and Phil Davis claimed the bracket.

Lawal knows that means he’ll have to wait for a shot at the belt, despite boasting a four-fight winning streak in the promotion, and so he’s seeking other opportunities.

“It depends on what they have open,” Lawal said. “If Liam and Phil have to fight, I have to wait. I can fight heavyweight or 185 for the time being. I can make 185. I’ll f-ck around and make 18 next year if I have to.”

It’s not exactly a commitment to change divisions, but it certainly doesn’t seem to be an empty promise, either. Lawal turns 35 in January, and while he doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all, he knows there’s no reason to waste time in the sport. “King Mo” wants big fights, and he wants them now, so he’ll happily do whatever it takes to get them, from middleweight to heavyweight.

“I’m a moneyweight,” Lawal said. “If I could make 170, I would, but I can’t make it. I’m about making that bread.

“People want to talk about, ‘I fight for the fans.’ Not me. I fight for the money. I love my fans, mind you – I love them. They’re great. Not just my fans, but fans of fighting, period. But I fight for the bread because that’s what feeds me. That’s what takes care of the family. That’s what pays the bills. It’s my job. If I loved it that much, I would do it for free.”

You can be sure Lawal isn’t going to be fighting for free anytime soon. But he may be fighting often.

“I think you’re going to see some ass whoopings, because I’m not playing no games anymore,” Lawal said. “I’m to the point now where you know what? I’m just going to go out there and fight these motherf-ckers. I’m like the modified black (Nick) Diaz.

“I’m going out there, and fighting for the bread, man. … I’m down for the cash and down for the wins.”

For more on Rizin Fighting Federation 1 and Bellator’s upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.