In another devastating blow, former Strikeforce champ Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal has been released from his Strikeforce contract.
UFC president Dana White today confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) but declined to comment on the release.
Following a nine-month suspension issued today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Lawal lashed out on Twitter, which led to his ouster.
Lawal and his reps could not be reached for comment at the time of this writing.
The former light-heavyweight champ took particular aim at NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall, who questioned him today during a hearing in Las Vegas that eventually led to his suspension.
During the questioning, Lundvall asked Lawal whether he read and understood English in relation to a pre-fight questionnaire that required Lawal to disclose any medications he had taken two weeks prior to the fight as well as any injuries he might have sustained.
"I honestly feel like Lundvall was a racist bitch asking me if I can read or speak english," Lawal tweeted. "Go on somewhere with that [expletive]!!!"
Lawal later explained the tweet, stating he believed the line of questioning was racist due to his past experiences.
"Its funny how people are tryna say that I'm callin the commission racist," he tweeted. "No!! They aren't. But there was one person on the panel that was out of line with the question she asked me. I found it insulting, prejudice, and a lil racist. I say racist from my past experiences, I have been asked that in the past as an insult."
The NSAC voted unanimously to suspend and fine Lawal for a failed drug test following his appearance at "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine."
Lawal is suspended nine months from the date of the fight, fined 30 percent of an $80,000 "show" purse, and he must surrender his $15,000 win bonus. Additionally, his win has been changed to a no-contest, and he must provide a clean drug test when he reapplies for a fight license in Nevada.
"Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine" took place Jan. 7 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and the main card aired on Showtime. Lawal (8-1 MMA, 3-1 SF) defeated Lorenz Larkin (12-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) via second-round TKO during the broadcast.
Source: UFC president cuts Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal