The best laid plans so often go awry, and they did just that when King Mo Lawal returned for one last fight Friday night at Bellator 233.
King Mo Lawal made the walk to the Bellator cage one last time Friday night in Thackerville, Okalahoma. Coming out of retirement for his swansong, Lawal took on Andrew Kapal in the co-main event of Bellator 233.
It was something of a surprise return for the former Strikeforce champion and RIZIN tournament winner. Lawal, one of the top light heavyweights in the sport to have never competed in the UFC, had retired earlier in the year. But his last fight had come in Japan for RIZIN, and one last showing in Bellator gave him the chance to go out on a win.
It didn’t happen. While Andrew Kapel wasn’t a household name, he proved dangerous Friday. Kapel was light on his feet early, moving in and out, circling, and firing off a leg kick or two. Lawal went to the body, then mixed things up and went upstairs. A heavy right hand missed for Lawal, and moments later, Andrew Kapel spoiled King Mo’s farewell party! Andrew Kapel fired a right hand while Lawal was moving in, having caught a kick. King Mo hit the ground, Kapel hit a few follow-up blows, and that was the end of the night for Lawal. Andrew Kapel, meanwhile, had put himself on the map.
Lawal took off his gloves and left them in the cage after the fight, while Kapel gave a bow to the retiring King.
Official Result: Andrew Kapel def. King Mo Lawal by knockout, Round 1, 1:22
