Quinton “Rampage” Jackson picked up his third consecutive win, earning a unanimous decision over Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in the main event of Bellator 120 Saturday at the Landers Center in Memphis.
The decision was viewed as controversial by some watching the event, which was the promotion’s first on pay-per-view.
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After months of pre-fight trash talk, many were expecting the two fighters to brawl. However, Lawal looked to use his wrestling and took Jackson to the ground immediately. He controlled Jackson for the remainder of round one, but Jackson began landing some quality punches in the second stanza.
The third and deciding round was the most competitive of the fight, with Lawal taking his opponent down early before Jackson found Lawal’s chin several more times before the final horn. The judges felt Jackson’s striking was more effective than Lawal’s grappling and the former UFC champion was awarded the decision.
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After the fight, the rivals continued to trash talk with Jackson requesting a rematch.
“I wanted to knock King Mo out” Jackson said. “I won’t be satisfied until he’s down on this Bellator mat sleeping.”
The chirping continued at the post-fight press conference where Lawal said he thought he clearly won the fight.
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Jackson (35-11) earned a title shot with the win, however Bellator’s 205-pound champion is Jackson’s training partner Emanuel Newton. Jackson has said numerous times he has no desire to fight for the title while Newton is champ. Jackson is now 3-0 since signing with Bellator last year. Lawal (12-4, 1 NC) has lost two of his last three.
