Formerely known as ‘Chad Johnson,’ the NFL’s Chad Ochocinco has left his wild persona on the NFL, as has “King Mo” Lawal in Mixed Martial Arts! Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal was shocked to find out that he had been fined 10% of his $20,000 purse for his celebratory in-cage chugging of Rockstar energy drinks after overwhelming veteran Mike Whitehead at Strikeforce’s Evolution event.
There were speculations after the incident that the All-American wrestler pulled off the stunt in order to plug the energy drink company, who is a major Strikeforce sponsor, and that he also had plans to soil the mat for the following three fights. It had been previously reported that the incident was premeditated three weeks prior to the actual fight after Lawal had mentioned plans of the stunt, should he defeat Whitehead, during last week’s edition of The MMA Hour.
The flamboyant King Mo claims the allegations are ridiculous and that he was denied every chance of precaution to avoid any kind of mat spillage by officials from the very organization that had fined him. He also responded to the sticky mat theory by explaining how a canvas with dried sugary liquid on it would have been an advantage for the fighters’ traction if anything.
In a recent interview with MMA Weekly, Lawal had his own response to the California State Athletic Commission.
“I didn’t know that you can’t jump on the cage anymore. I had no idea,” he said in reference to his attempt to drink the Rockstar on top of the cage. “I tried to, but they were like, ‘Get down! Get down!’ So I got down, and the guy beside me was like, ‘Calm down,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, I am. I’m going to go to my corner real quick, I’m going to get some towels and do it over a towel.”
“I’m going to do something. I don’t care. They can fine me. I’m going to be doing something after every fight just for them. They created a monster by fining me,” said the undefeated mixed martial artist.
“I’m just going to be creative and find ways to celebrate. If they want to fine me for the way I celebrate. That’s cool.”
Lawal went on to further deny the internet rumor that he was simply looking for camera time to promote Rockstar. He explained, “I’m not sponsored by Rockstar. The thing is, I couldn’t have any other beverage in the ring. If I could have, I would have had Pepsi. But Rockstar is cool, they are the sponsor for Strikeforce, I have a lot of respect for Strikeforce so I just did it. Why not? I was just out there having fun.”
