“Jacare” vs. Lindland, “King Mo” Announced for Strikeforce: Evolution on December 19 in San Jose
A rumored December 19 Strikeforce event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California was made official at Thursday’s “Fedor vs. Rogers” press conference, with Strikeforce’s Scott Coker announcing that the Showtime-televised “Evolution” event will feature Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza’s Strikeforce debut against fellow middleweight newcomer Matt Lindland as well as the debut of light heavyweight Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal.
“Jacare” (10-2) advanced to the finals of DREAM’s middleweight grand prix last year with wins over Ian Murphy, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and Zelg Galesic, but lost to Gegard Mousasi in the finals. Souza, a decorated grappler who won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2004 and 2005, returned to action in May in a rematch with “Mayhem,” but the fight ended in a no contest.
Lindland (21-6) left the UFC in 2005 following back-to-back wins and has since gone 6-3, but has dropped two of his last three. After suffering a first-round submission to heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in 2007, Lindland bounced back with a unanimous decision over Fabio Nascimento last July at Affliction’s debut event. In his most-recent fight, Lindland suffered a brutal 37-second knockout at the hands of Vitor Belfort in January.
“King Mo,” an All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State, has emerged as one of the sport’s top prospects since making his MMA debut last September, winning four-straight in Sengoku in Japan before making his US debut in August with a 25-second knockout of veteran Mark Kerr. An opponent has not yet been announced for Lawal’s Strikeforce debut.
For the latest Strikeforce: Evolution rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.
Pictured: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Loading ...
Well, anyone want to bet against UFC 106 free on spike Dec. 19th?
I’m going to have a fun time in San Jose
I’m going to start referring to San Jose as “Little Las Vegas”…
Anyone else think that Coker is trying for Hendo/King Mo. Maybe FR can shed some light.
If Hendo was on the roster, with 43 days to go til DEC 19th I would think that he would fight at LHW, but most likely v Babalu that is a fight you can sale, not Hendo v a 5~0 fighter (not that King Mo isn’t good but from standup to wrestling he doesn’t have the experience to stand in the cage with Hendo imho)
King Mo v Rafael Cavalcante makes sense for the DEC 19th show for me personally and you can sale that fight as the up and comers blah blah blah
lindland is goingt to beat jacare….at least I hope he needs a win strong fighter with a huge heart I’ll nbe rootin for matty
Not that I don’t like Lindland but he didn’t last 3 minutes v Jacare in thier ADCC match, yet I know that your response is this is MMA and I understand that I’m just saying if it does go to the ground Lindland is in trouble…
I know FR I watched it man just my bias for Lindland but I do agree with you that jacare will destroy him on the ground…i just hope lindland can keep it up and do some dirty boxin
O it should be a wonderful fight, I’m a fan of Jacare’s but also I’ve liked alot of Lindland’s fights and he is a grind them out tough crafty guy, has tons of heart forsure, I hope its a excellent fight
i wonder who they’ll put against king mo
Depends at what weight he desides to fight at I would assume
indeed cant wait to find out though
More awesomeness from Strikeforce
Have fun in San Jose fr!
O you know I will, hey GREAT PIC man good stuff
I think this article goes to show why Hendo might sign with Strikeforce, if the rumors are true.
Several fights for him at 185 and 205, against men he hasn’t faced before, and for decent payouts.
I still think that the prospect of once again wearing simultaneous gold in 2 different weightclasses AGAIN plays a part in Hendo signing with Strikeforce, if that happens…