Babalu Crowned StrikeForce Champ!

The new generation of UFC fans may not know about a guy named Renato “Babalu” Sobral.  Babalu once was a star in the world’s largest MMA organization in the mix in the 205 pound division.  Often his name was mentioned with the likes of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, and many thought he had the tools to be champ.  If this comes to a shock to you then check out the nasty anaconda choke that he used to submit David Heath in his last UFC fight.  It was a great submission but when the ref tried to step in, Babalu didn’t let go and held onto the choke longer than the UFC would have liked.  This led to his termination from the UFC.  Suddenly this out of work fighter that had beaten the likes of Jeremy Horn, Mauricio Rua, and Chael Sonnen was ready to step up and show the world he wasn’t done.  This is something he has done and done well!  Since being cut from the UFC he is undefeated and he has won 14 of his last 16 pro fights.  The two losses came to Chuck Liddell and Jason Lambert.

On the recent Strikeforce “Destruction” card, Sobral took on MMA journeyman Bobby Southworth.  Southworth like Babalu had his moment with the UFC, however that was with the first season of TUF.  Southworth didn’t win that season.  He lost his second matchup against Stephan Bonnar, as well in the finale to Sam Hoger.  Prior to this fight the two were not shy at letting the other know how they felt.  Babalu even said “This is the biggest mistake of his career” talking about Southworth fighting him.

If Strikeforce was planning on Southworth losing this fight, a docter’s stoppage would not have been how they had planned it, but that is exactly how it ended.  Early in the fight Sobral threw a nasty elbow that cut Southworth.  Eventually the cut would be the difference in the fight as it was bad enough for the stoppage.  Now the black sheep that was shockingly released from the UFC is holding Strikeforce gold.  The UFC is the home of the best MMA talent in the world, but the do not have all of the talent.  Sobral is a BJJ black belt that can be marketed and still has potential to grow in this sport.