Strikeforce’s August schedule headlined by ‘King Mo’ title defense

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Mixed martial arts organization Strikeforce will stage two shows next month in the Southwest, most notably an Aug. 21 light-heavyweight title defense in Houston featuring Southern California’s Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal versus Brazil’s Rafael ‘Feijao’ Cavalcante, Showtime announced Wednesday.

Lawal (7-0, with five KOs) claimed the title with an April decision over Gegard Mousasi and was cage-side last month when his former-champion friend and training partner Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral defeated Robbie Lawler at the Nokia Theatre to apparently earn a shot at Lawal.

However, Strikeforce has respected the fighters’ wishes to not face off, so Cavalcante (9-2, eight KOs) has been inserted. Cavalcante knocked out Antwain Britt in May.

The Houston card will also include a bout featuring Tim Kennedy.

A week earlier, on Aug. 13, Strikeforce will stage a 135-pound, four-fighter women’s tournament at Phoenix’s Dodge Theatre. A Showtime representative said the entrants will fight to earn a title shot at the organization’s 135-pound champion, Sarah Kaufman of Canada, who’s 11-0 with eight KOs. Kaufman has a July 23 fight in Everett, Wash.

The Phoenix card, a Strikeforce Challengers show on Showtime, will be headlined by a bout between MMA veteran Joe Riggs versus Louis Taylor.

-- Lance Pugmire