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An all around strange night of fights came to a close with the crowning of a new Champion in Strikeforce's Light Heavyweight division, as Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante knocked out Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in the third round at Strikeforce: Houston.
Mo started the fight well, getting in close with a combination of punches before lifting Feijao up and slamming him to the canvas, but Cavalcante popped back up to his feet and closed out the round strong with hard punches, kicks and knees. Where Lawal was able to take Gegard Mousasi down at will to win the title in April, Cavalcante showed off superior balance and was able to keep himself standing throughout most of the fight.
Lawal had a better second round, landing more punches and scoring another takedown. Feijao simply didn't do much in that frame, allowing Mo to score the round in his favor.
But things changed in the third round. Feijao landed a straight right very early in the round that rocked Mo, but it was a couple of knees in the clinch as Mo tried to close the distance that started the beginning of the end for Lawal.
Feijao grabbed a Thai clinch on Lawal as he got in close and rocked him with two knees, one of which landed right on the button. Mo stumpled back, and then Feijao connected with a punch that sent Mo to the ground. Lawal recovered there and then drove forward for a double leg attempt, pressing Feijao's back against the cage.
Unfortunately for him, he was trying to recover and Feijao wasn't about to let him. Feijao began throwing a series of vicious elbows to the side of the head that severely damaged Mo. Mo's left arm went limp and he began to fall to the side as referee "Big" John McCarthy stepped in and stopped the fight.
Mo continued the collapse as Feijao nearly broke down. The emotion's got the best of him briefly as he was awarded the knockout victory, and the Strikeforce Light Heavyeight Championship, at 1:14 of the third round.
Lawal suffered his first career defeat here, but the now former champion took the loss well. Talking to Gus Johnson after the fight, Mo said he would return stronger, and that losses always make true champions better.
Feijao may now be up for a rematch with the man who upset him last summer, Mike Kyle, who has gone 7-1-1 in his last nine fights.
Penick's Analysis: Feijao came out the biggest winner on this card tonight. He was a heavy underdog coming in, and he looked great throughout the fight. Mo was unable to keep him down the few times he got him to the ground, and Feijao was simply a much harder hitter in this one. His power was definitely known coming in, but his takedown defense was much improved and he didn't let Mo dictate the entire fight. As for Mo, with the sentiments he shared towards MMA fans earlier this week he's not going to garner a ton of sympathy in this loss, but it was probably a good thing for him. For his career, he knows there are plenty of things to improve upon, and for his brash personality the loss is a humbling experience that could change him for the better. His reaction after the fight was perfect, and he took the loss well. Hopefully he does come back a stronger and improved fighter.
RELATED STORY: STRIKEFORCE: HOUSTON RESULTS - Penick's live round by round report of King Mo vs. Feijao event on Showtime
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