Preview: Sengoku 7th Battle
Non-Tournament Bouts
Tony Loiseleur Mar 19, 2009
Daniel
Herbertson/Sherdog.com
on Ryo Kawamura.
Thompson (14-9) will steam forward and look to turn the fight into a brawl, while York will hang back to try and counterpunch his way to a knockout. Should York (9-2) get through and stun Thompson, however, “The Colossus” always has the option to take the fight to the floor, where he can continue his assault with ground-and-pound.
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Ryo Kawamura vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal
Lawal (3-0) said he wants to be involved in every Sengoku event possible. Fresh on the heels of his first-round technical knockout of Yukiya Naito in January, the budding star has been placed in the main event of the Japanese promotion’s inaugural 2009 show. While largely unknown in the West, Kawamura, the current light heavyweight King of Pancrase, should prove a solid test for the ever-improving “King Mo.” A competent striker who can string together combinations and work jabs, body punches and counters, Kawamura will likely look to stalk Lawal on the feet.
Lawal’s still-developing stand-up could prove a defensive liability should Kawamura (9-3-2) land a few low kicks and punches. Luckily for Lawal, his power evens the playing field. Kawamura can be knocked out if he’s not careful, and given Lawal’s fast and powerful punches, the KO threat is enhanced. Should Lawal not decapitate Kawamura, however, expect the Japanese fighter to push for the takedown, which “King Mo” will foil with ease; he’ll take the fight down to the mat on his terms.
From there, expect Lawal to blitz Kawamura with punishing punches from above, forcing the King of Pancrase to turn over and surrender his back. This is exactly what Lawal wants. Provided the referee does not jump in to save Kawamura, Lawal will finally get his much-sought-after first submission win, sinking the rear-naked choke midway through the second round.
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