Fighter Profile: Renato "Babalu" Sobral

Height: 6’1” Weight: 205

Born: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Fights Out Of: Costa Mesa, California

Team: Gracie Barra Combat Team

Fighting Style: BJJ, Wrestling, Muay Thai

Renato “Babalu” Sobral is a mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Light Heavyweight division of both Strikeforce and Affliction. Sobral is the reigning Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion. The former Brazilian national wrestling champion now fights out of Costa Mesa, California, training with Gracie Barra Combat Team. His nickname, “Babalu,” comes from brand of bubblegum he used to chew as a child (Bubbaloo).

Sobral made his professional MMA debut in 1999, scoring a KO victory over Fernando Cerchiari. He would record another nine wins, fighting mostly for the RINGS organization in Japan, before falling to Dan Henderson in 2000. A 4-1 record in his next five fights would earn Sobral his UFC debut at UFC 28. He went on to earn a decision victory over former UFC Heavyweight champion Maurice Smith.

Sobral would return to the RINGS organization, posting another two wins, before facing off against then up and comer Fedor Emelianenko. Despite almost securing several submissions, Sobral would lose the future PRIDE champ, spending most of the fight on his back being punished by Emelianenko’s signature ground and pound.

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Sobral would rebound from a loss to Kevin Randleman with a win over Elvis Sinosic, earning him a shot at Light Heavyweight contender Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell. The fight would determine who would be the number one contender and next in line for a shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight title, then held by Tito Ortiz. Sobral was knocked out by a highlight reel head kick 2:55 into the first round.

Following the devastating loss to Liddell, Sobral would leave the UFC, stringing together seven wins, including victories over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Jeremy Horn at IFC’s Global Domination tournament. This success would earn him a return to the UFC, where he would compile another three wins over Travis Wiuff, Chael Sonnen and Mike Van Arsdale.

The impressive ten fight win streak would lead to a rematch between Sobral and Liddell. This time the fight would be for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Following a flurry of punches by Sobral, Liddell landed an uppercut that sent the Brazilian to the canvas. After a series of punches delivered by Liddell referee John McCarthy stopped the fight at 1:35 of the first round.

Following another disappointing knockout loss to Jason Lambert in a fight that saw Sobral dominate the first round before being stopped in the second, “Babalu” met David Heath in the octagon at UFC 74. In what would turn out to be one of the most controversial fights in UFC history, Sobral locked in an anaconda choke in the second round, causing Heath to quickly tap. However, despite referee Steve Mazzagati’s order to release the choke, Sobral refused to let go, causing Heath to pass out. His actions were allegedly due to pre-fight statements made by Heath. This incident lead to Sobral being released by the UFC.

After leaving the UFC, Sobral was courted by numerous organizations. He fought in Affliction’s inaugural event Affliction: Banned, earning a decision victory over Mike Whitehead. In 2008 he faced Bobby Southworth at Strikeforce: Destruction for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title. The fight was stopped after the first round due to a cut over the right eye of Southworth. Sobral then faced former pride star Sokoudjou at Affliction: Day of Reckoning. The fight ended in the second round when Sobral secured a Brabo Choke. Sobral was slated to fight at Affliction: Trilogy against Gegard Mousasi but after the collapse of Affliction the fight took place at Strikeforce's Carano vs Cyborg event on August 15, 2009.

Recent Renato Sobral MMA News:

• Lost to Gegard Mousasi by TKO at Strikeforce: Carano vs Cyborg on August 15, 2009 - Strikeforce Carano vs Cyborg results

By Travis Fleming
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published July 2009, Updated January 2010