Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal will not return from retirement as planned for the upcoming BKFC 66 card on September 13 in Hollywood, Florida.
The Bellator and Strikeforce veteran, who last competed in 2019, suffered an injury in training that forced him to withdraw from BKFC 66, where he was scheduled to face BKFC champion Dave Mundell. Federation officials confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Wednesday.
Lawal’s comeback was unexpected after he retired five years ago, mainly due to a long list of injuries that continued to pile up over the years. After his fighting career ended, Lawal turned his attention to coaching, becoming one of the leading trainers at American Top Team in Florida.
With his body healed and still training with many of the best fighters in the world, Lawal decided to return to fighting, but told MMA Fighting that he doesn’t plan on staying in it for more than maybe a few fights.
Now it looks like he will have to wait until a later date to return.
As for Mundell, he will not remain on the September 13 card and face a new opponent, but is expected to move on to another BKFC event later in the year.
BKFC 66 continues: Alberto Blas defends his bantamweight title against Ryan Reber, while Howard Davis faces James Brown in the new co-main event.