An anticipated grudge match between light-heavyweight stars Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has been added to Bellator MMA’s first pay-per-view event.
The event is scheduled to take place May 17 at The Landers Center in Jackson’s hometown of Memphis, Tenn.
Jackson is coming off two consecutive knockout wins in the Bellator cage since signing with the promotion in 2013. At Bellator 110 on Feb. 28, the former UFC champion knocked out Christian M’Pumbu in the first round of their main event bout.
Following the win, Jackson got into an altercation with Lawal, who won a decision over Mikhail Zayats earlier in the night.
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Jackson (34–11) made his MMA debut in Memphis in 1999 against Mike Pyle, but hasn’t competed there since.
“I’ve been wanting to come back to Memphis for the last decade, and I’m finally getting that chance to fight in one of the biggest fights of my career for Bellator,” Jackson said in a press release. “After being part of the Bellator family for a while now, I feel like the old Rampage, and that’s not a good thing for Mo. I’m back, I’m a monster, and I’m looking to put on another entertaining fight for all my fans on May 17th.”
Lawal (12-3, 1 NC) is a former Strikeforce champ that has gone 4-2 in Bellator since debuting for the promotion last January.
“When it comes down to it, this is a fight I’ve wanted for a long time, and I’m going to be able to beat his ass in his hometown, and everyone is going to respect me,” Lawal said. “Rampage is just a stepping stone in my way to get that title shot again and get that belt. It’s all I want, and after I beat Rampage, I’m going for that belt, simple as that.”
A trilogy fight between lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and former champ Michael Chandler will serve as the night’s main event.
No other bouts have been added to the event at this time.
