Roger Gracie withdraws from Strikeforce bout with Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal






Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Roger Gracie (4-0 MMA, 2-0 SF) will not be competing at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson."

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed with sources close to the submission specialist that a lingering injury has forced him to withdraw from a planned contest with Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (7-1 MMA, 2-1 SF).

News of the change was first reported on Friday's new edition of HDNet's "Inside MMA."

Gracie is said to be eyeing an October return to the cage.

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson" takes place July 30 at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., and its main card airs live on Showtime.

The culprit is the same stress fracture that kept Gracie from competing in this month's International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation's World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Lawal had hoped to return to action for the first time since losing his 205-pound title to Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante this past August. The loss was the first of Lawal's career, who opened up with seven-straight wins as a professional.

It's unknown if Strikeforce officials are seeking a new opponent for Lawal.

Gracie, a decorated grappler and submission stylist, had hoped to win for the fifth time in as many career fights. The two-time Strikeforce veteran has earned all four of his career MMA wins via submission, and only Kevin Randleman lasted past the opening round.


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