Mo Lawal: I safeguard against head trauma

[Wild]

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow's Three Amigos Podcast, "King" Mo Lawal discussed how he safeguards against head trauma when in training.

On May14th, Bellator will kick off Saturday night with their 154th event featuring a light heavyweight showdown between Muhammed Lawal and Dynamite champion, Phil Davis. The fight has been almost a year in the making and will serve as a title eliminator to determine who will face current Bellator LHW champion, Liam McGeary.

In a recent interview with the Three Amigos Podcast, Lawal discussed a variety of topics, ranging from a thorough look at the free agency upward trend to the steps he takes to protect himself from unnecessary head injury. Here's what he had to say on the latter topic:

TAP: Head trauma scenarios have been presenting…


Mo Lawal: I handicap myself in training to safeguard against head trauma

 

[PeteyParker]

"Here's something I do, and I've been doing it for a while. I wear head gear and I wear a good mouthpiece. I work my defense...that's how I work my sparring. I work my defense and counterpunching. I handicap myself. I don't try to make every sparring session a "fight." Some guys go in there like, ‘My goal is to win sparring.' Not my goal. My goal is to go out there and improve"

That is a very clever response.

 

[regular john]

"Here's something I do, and I've been doing it for a while. I wear head gear and I wear a good mouthpiece. I work my defense...that's how I work my sparring. I work my defense and counterpunching. I handicap myself. I don't try to make every sparring session a "fight." Some guys go in there like, ‘My goal is to win sparring.' Not my goal. My goal is to go out there and improve"

That is a very clever response.

agreed but it's so obvious at the same time.

whoever is worried about "winning" in sparring is in no position to become a great fighter in the first place. unfortunately the majority of people I've sparred with are apparently trying to "win" when there's nothing to win actually. if you put it in terms of "winning" and "losing" in sparring then losing and getting better at what you're not good at it's probably better.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

I wouldn't expect anything less of Mo, he seems like a smart guy.

Good news for his sparring partners too. Taking Mo's heavy hands on your skull day in, day out is not a good recipe for career longevity.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Fighting Phil Davis also falls under safe guarding against head trauma

 

[Wild]

King Mo's an intelligent cat.

 

[Porkchop]

I've always appreciated guys who know what the real value of sparring is as they make the best training partners. It's to train your reactions and learn to set traps. It's not about trying to beat people up or earn respect. Full out fighting in training doesn't build toughness either. Toughness is something you have a finite amount of and once your chin wears out, you're all out of toughness. Getting hit in the head and moving forward has nothing to do with pain and everything to do with your brains ability to absorb punishment. Every shot you take brings you one step closer to having a glass jaw. Save your chin for when you are in a life or death situation on the street and use sparring to become more effective at setting traps and reacting off an opponent.

 

[Jonny Quest]

 

[Sheepdog]

You guys are impressed because a guy wears head gear and a mouthpiece while sparring? Are you impressed when you see somebody open a door or perform any basic function that everybody on the planet does?

Here is King Mo safeguarding against head trauma for your enjoyment:

And here is Kin Mo congratulating Feijao in his own unique way after getting destroyed.

 

[Qat]

Here is King Mo safeguarding against head trauma for your enjoyment:

You are correct, he even gets his opponents to save him from further trauma, look at how gentle he gets caught!
Impressive.