‘Minotouro’ Nogueira wants to KO Gustaffson HOUSTON – Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante shocked light heavyweight champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at Strikeforce “Houston” on Saturday at the Toyota Center. Lawal, a highly regarded wrestler, got caught up in a striking battle with Feijao and paid the price, losing by knockout in the third round.
“This, of course, is not about me. This is about my coaches, my team, my partners and trainers. This is about them,” Cavalcante said. “Somebody asked me before what the key was to winning this fight — training, training, training. I’m just living my dream. I don’t know what to say.”
Lawal was expected by many to employ a grappling-heavy strategy, akin to the tactics he used to secure the title against Gegard Mousasi in April. However, Feijao fought off a number of takedowns and remained upright outside of a few seconds in the first round.
Despite the fact he could not — or would not — take the fight to the mat, Lawal held his own in the striking battle. He hurt Feijao with digging body shots in the second round and was in the midst of another body barrage when the Brazilian unloaded a trio of knees, the second of which clearly hurt Lawal.
As the champion stumbled backwards, Feijao clipped him with an overhand right that put him down. Lawal went into survival mode and shot in on a single-leg takedown attempt, but Cavalcante was too strong and battered him with punches and elbows until referee “Big” John McCarthy stepped in 1:14 into round three.
“I just need to make some adjustments; that’s all,” Lawal said. “He fought a hell of a fight. I’ll come back stronger. I’m not worried. Losses always make true champions stronger.”
Source: Sherdog
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