Former Strikeforce champion Muhammed Lawal is coming back for one last fight.
Lawal, who announced his retirement from MMA earlier this year, told ESPN on Thursday that he has agreed to fight Andrew Kapel in a 195-pound catchweight fight at Bellator 233 on Nov. 8 in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The fight will serve as his official retirement bout. Bellator officials subsequently confirmed the fight was signed.
"My last one," he said. "My final one."
Lawal (21-9, 1 NC), once considered one of the best light heavyweights in the world, has lost his last three fights in a row. He announced his retirement in April following his loss to Jiri Prochazka in the Japanese-based organization Rizin.
"I wanted to end in Bellator," he said.
Lawal's most notable win came in 2010 when he defeated Gegard Mousasi on CBS to win the Strikeforce light heavyweight title. His last victory was a 2017 unanimous decision win over Quinton Jackson, a longtime rival.
Lawal, a former Division I All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State, has recently transitioned into a coaching role at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, one of the top MMA gyms in the world.
Kapel (14-6) will be making his Bellator debut. He has won his past four fights in a row.
The card will feature another former OSU All-American in Kyle Crutchmer (4-0), who will also be making his Bellator debut. He meets Antonio Jones (7-3) in a 170-pound bout.