Renato “Babalu” Sobral Signs With Strikeforce

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Renato “Babalu” Sobral, who was fined $25,000 and released from the UFC after refusing to break a chokehold on opponent David Heath at UFC 74, has signed with the California-Based Strikeforce organization.

The fighter made the announcement yesterday at the “Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion” show in Beverly Hills, Calif.

On Aug. 31 the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to withhold $25,000, the equivalent of Sobral’s UFC 74 “win bonus” (he earned an additional $25,000 to “show”). The NSAC voted to uphold the fine (but issued no suspension) last week.

After dominating much of the Aug. 25 fight, Sobral secured a fight-ending anaconda choke in the second round of his preliminary UFC 74 fight. However, after Heath tapped, Sobral refused to break the hold, even as referee Steve Mazzagatti tugged on his arm. Three to four seconds passed before Sobral finally broke his grip. Sobral told the sold-out crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center that he wanted to “teach (Heath) a lesson” for disrespecting him during the previous day’s weigh-ins.

Sobral (28-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) instantly becomes one of Strikeforce’s most-veteran fighters.

The organization hasn’t yet announced when the famed Brazilian grappler will make his debut with the organization.

Now they just need to sign Boner so we can have THE BET OF THE CENTURY!!!!

Andy would love that!

I don’t see the UFC letting Bonner go anytime soon!

JoeDaddy wrote:

I don’t see the UFC letting Bonner go anytime soon!

Yah, it would take a couple losses ...which is definitely possible in that stacked division.

Sobral has told Herman that Strikeforce has also inked former UFC Heavyweight Champion Kevin Randleman and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos to contracts. Sobral stated that he would like to fight either of the two:

Sobral signed a three-fight contract with Strikeforce.

“Strikeforce is a very strong organization. They are bringing in a lot of good fighters in my weight class,” said Sobral.

According to Sobral, two other fighters headed to Strikeforce are Kevin “Monster” Randleman and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Sobral has his sights set on both of the former Pride Fighting Championship competitors.

“I’d like to fight both Randleman and Cyborg,” Sobral said.

Nice! Glad to see them building a decent division.

babalu is gonna run through that division. he'll also beat the hell out of randleman and cyborg.

I haven't been in here in awhile but OBVIOUSLY I have returned to see Dennis taking shots at my boy Stephan Bonnar WHO WOULD DEFFINATELY BEAT BABALUS ASS AND I WOULD BET ON THAT!!!-- Let the smack talk continue, but ask yourself, what kind of barn burner wars has Babalu provided for you??? The best part of him was Liddell kicking his face off of his head and Lambert ripping his nose off of his face! SUCKIT DENNIS~

If this fight happens and Babalu does what Babalu do- LOSE,....I am gonna fly to Boston and teabag Dennis, possibly give him the angry dragon or the roman helmet!! LOL!

Andy wrote:

If this fight happens and Babalu does what Babalu do- LOSE,....I am gonna fly to Boston and teabag Dennis, possibly give him the angry dragon or the roman helmet!! LOL!

hahahahahahahaha ill watch and bare whitness!

Dennis be prepared to have sum BALLZONYAH!!!!!!!!!!!

would that make him a ballchinian!

He'll change his name to Harry Ballzonyah