Renato Sobral
| Renato Sobral | |
|---|---|
 Sobral at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event in 2009 |
|
| Born | Renato da Cunha Sobral September 7, 1975 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Other names | Babalu, Sobu Babalow, Seraldo Babalu |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb) |
| Division | Light heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Garden Grove, California, United States |
| Team |
Gracie Barra Cerritos[1] Kings MMA Babalu's Iron Gym |
| Rank | 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1][2] |
| Years active | 1997 -present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 46 |
| Wins | 37 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 19 |
| By decision | 13 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Renato da Cunha Sobral (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈnatu soˈbɾaw]; born September 7, 1975),[3] also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Sobral previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he posted a 6–4 record. He is a member of the Gracie Barra Cerritos[1] and has a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Some of his MMA achievements include defeating fighters Trevor Prangley, Maurício Rua, and Jeremy Horn in a single night at IFC's Global Domination tournament. Sobral also holds wins over Chael Sonnen, Robbie Lawler, and Cyrille Diabaté.
Contents |
[edit] Mixed martial arts career
Sobral's background is in wrestling. Before joining the Gracie Barra Combat Team he was a Brazilian national wrestling champion and was trained in Ruas Vale Tudo, a martial arts system developed by Marco Ruas.[4]
[edit] Ultimate Fighting Championship
At UFC 62, Sobral was defeated by Chuck Liddell in a bout for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. The match was stopped as a technical knockout at 95 seconds into the first round. Following his loss to Liddell, Sobral faced Jason Lambert at UFC 68. Sobral was knocked out in the second round.
[edit] UFC 74 controversy
Sobral's next fight was at UFC 74 against David Heath. The first round consisted of Sobral ground and pounding Heath. In the second round, he opened a cut on Heath's forehead which bled profusely. Sobral secured another takedown and then worked to an anaconda choke. Heath quickly tapped out, but Sobral continued to hold the anaconda choke, ignoring referee Steve Mazzagatti's commands and resisting his attempts to break the hold. Sobral did not release the choke until Heath passed out from hypoxia.[5] During his post-fight interview, Sobral told UFC commentator Joe Rogan that he was aware that Heath had tapped, but "he (Heath) has to learn respect. He deserved that. He called me mother-fucker."[5] In his dressing room after the fight, Sobral spoke to Las Vegas Journal-Review columnist Ed Graney. Sobral then mocked the crowd for booing him, saying "The crowd didn't like it? Who cares? At least they had a reaction."[5]
On August 30, 2007, Sobral was released from his contractual obligations by the UFC due to his actions at UFC 74.[6] UFC President Dana White called Sobral's actions "completely unacceptable. This is the fight game and shit happens. But no way can you do what he did."[5] White also supported the fans attitude towards Sobral after the fight. "I think you saw the response from the fans. Babalu was a fan favorite. They turned on him immediately."[6] Additionally, the Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld $25,000 of Sobral's $50,000 fight purse and convened a hearing to deal with both his holding the choke and ignoring Mazzagatti's orders.[7]
[edit] Strikeforce and Affliction
After the termination of his deal with the UFC, Renato Sobral was courted by numerous promotions looking to sign him.[7] During the September 29 Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion it was announced that Sobral had signed a non-exclusive deal with Strikeforce.[8] It has since been revealed that he signed two more non-exclusive deals with Hardcore Championship Fighting and Xcess Fighting.[9] Sobral also later competed in an event for the Ring of Fire promotion, defeating Rodney Faverus by submission (arm triangle choke).
Sobral was scheduled to fight fellow UFC veteran Vernon "Tiger" White in a match to crown the first WCO Light Heavyweight Champion.[10] However, because the show's promoters were unable to secure adequate funding to pay the fighters, the show was canceled at the last minute by the California State Athletic Commission.[11]
Sobral then signed with Affliction Entertainment's MMA promotion and appeared at Affliction: Banned on July 19, defeating Mike Whitehead by unanimous decision. Sobral's next fight was against Bobby Southworth in San Jose, California on November 21 for the Strikeforce promotion. Babalu defeated Southworth via TKO due to a cut over the right eye in between round one and two, making him the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.
Sobral next fought his second fight for Affliction, this time against Sokoudjou at Affliction: Day of Reckoning on January 24, 2009 in a light heavyweight fight. The fight ended in the second round when Babalu submitted Sokoudjou with a D'arce/Brabo choke. After his victory he showed an interest in fighting former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Tito Ortiz.
Sobral was set to fight fellow Brazilian Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante at the past event Strikeforce Presents: Lawler Vs. Shields in St. Louis, Missouri on June 6, 2009, but the bout was scratched. The bout would have been for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Sobral was next set to make his third appearance for Affliction in a fight against Gegard Mousasi at Affliction: Trilogy,[12] but the event was canceled after losing its main event.[13] The fight was then moved to Strikeforce's August 15 card, Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg and changed into a bout for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship with Sobral as the titleholder.[14] Sobral lost the title to Mousasi via knockout in the first round.
Sobral last fought Robbie Lawler in a 195 lbs Catchweight bout on June 16, 2010 at Strikeforce: Los Angeles.[15] Renato Sobral won via unanimous decision.
After defeating Robbie Lawler it was believed that Sobral would face Muhammed Lawal for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title. However, in his post-fight interview Sobral stated that he would not fight Lawal and instead requested a rematch with Dan Henderson who he fought over ten years ago.[16]
Sobral's request was later fulfilled and he fought Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II on December 4, 2010.[17] Sobral was knocked out in the first round.
[edit] ONE Fighting Championship
In late December 2011, After one year of inactivity Sobral signed an exclusive deal with Singaporean MMA promotion One Fighting Championship also known as ONE FC, ONE FC officials stated that Sobral has "global exclusivity" with the promotion.[18] Sobral was slated to fight Melvin Manhoef on March 31, 2012 at ONE Fighting Championship 3 which was to be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore but the two sides were unable to agree on a weight and he instead became the wrestling coach in Wanderlei Silva's team on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.[19]
Sobral returned to action in the main event of OneFC 4 on June 23. He defeated Tatsuya Mizuno at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors in Kalua Lampur, via an armbar submission in the first round. The stoppage came less than a minute in to the first round.
[edit] Personal life
Sobral and his wife Natasha have two daughters named Maria Fernanda and Sophia, who was born in May 2009. He has both their names tattooed on him.[20][21][22]
His nickname comes from a brand of bubblegum that he used to chew (Bubbaloo).[20]
Sobral was arrested on July 14, 2007 for misdemeanor battery and trespassing at the Seminole Indian Reservation Casino after allegedly spitting on a bouncer outside a club.[20][23]
In October 2008 he opened his own gym, Gracie Barra Cerritos, in Cerritos, California.[20][24]
Appeared in the video Still I Rise by the American heavy metal band Shadows Fall.[25]
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
[edit] Mixed martial arts
- Strikeforce
- Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Fighting Network RINGS
- International Fighting Championships
- IFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
[edit] Amateur wrestling
- International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
- 2001 Pan American Championships Senior Freestyle (6th Place)
- Confederação Brasileira de Lutas Associadas
- Brazil Senior Freestyle National Championship (1998)
[edit] Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 46 matches | 37 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 5 |
| By submission | 19 | 1 |
| By decision | 13 | 3 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 37–9 | Tatsuya Mizuno | Submission (armbar) | ONE Fighting Championship: Destiny of Warriors | June 24, 2012 | 1 | 0:31 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Loss | 36–9 | Dan Henderson | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II | December 4, 2010 | 1 | 1:53 | Missouri, United States | Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 36–8 | Robbie Lawler | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Los Angeles | June 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | California, United States | 195 lb catchweight bout |
| Loss | 35–8 | Gegard Mousasi | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg | August 15, 2009 | 1 | 1:00 | California, United States | Lost the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 35–7 | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | Submission (d'arce choke) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 2 | 2:36 | California, United States | |
| Win | 34–7 | Bobby Southworth | TKO (cut) | Strikeforce: Destruction | November 21, 2008 | 1 | 5:00 | California, United States | Won the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 33–7 | Mike Whitehead | Decision (unanimous) | Affliction: Banned | July 19, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | California, United States | |
| Win | 32–7 | Rodney Glunder | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Ring of Fire: Babalu vs. Glunder | December 9, 2007 | 3 | 3:31 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Win | 31–7 | David Heath | Technical Submission (anaconda choke) | UFC 74 | August 25, 2007 | 2 | 3:30 | Nevada, United States | Cut for refusing to release choke |
| Loss | 30–7 | Jason Lambert | KO (punch) | UFC 68 | March 3, 2007 | 2 | 3:26 | Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 30–6 | Chuck Liddell | TKO (punches) | UFC 62 | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 1:35 | Nevada, United States | For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 30–5 | Mike van Arsdale | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 1 | 2:21 | Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 29–5 | Chael Sonnen | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC 55 | October 7, 2005 | 2 | 1:20 | Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 28–5 | Travis Wiuff | Submission (armbar) | UFC 52 | April 16, 2005 | 2 | 0:24 | Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 27–5 | Pierre Guillet | Submission (punches) | Cage Rage 10: Deliverance | February 26, 2005 | 1 | 1:57 | London, England | |
| Win | 26–5 | Cyrille Diabaté | Submission (guillotine choke) | Cage Rage 9: No Mercy | November 27, 2004 | 1 | 3:38 | London, England | |
| Win | 25–5 | José Landi-Jons | Decision (unanimous) | Jungle Fight 3 | October 23, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Win | 24–5 | Jeremy Horn | Decision (unanimous) | IFC: Global Domination | September 6, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 23–5 | Maurício Rua | Submission (guillotine choke) | IFC: Global Domination | September 6, 2003 | 3 | 3:07 | Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 22–5 | Trevor Prangley | Decision (unanimous) | IFC: Global Domination | September 6, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | Marcelo Azevedo | Decision (unanimous) | Heat FC 1: Genesis | July 31, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil | |
| Loss | 20–5 | Chuck Liddell | TKO (head kick and punches) | UFC 40 | November 22, 2002 | 1 | 2:55 | Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 20–4 | Elvis Sinosic | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 38 | July 13, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 19–4 | Kevin Randleman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 35 | January 11, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 19–3 | Fedor Emelianenko | Decision (unanimous) | Rings - 10th Anniversary | August 11, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 19–2 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | Decision (majority) | Rings - World Title Series 2 | June 15, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18–2 | Kiyoshi Tamura | Decision (majority) | Rings - King of Kings 2000 Final | February 24, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17–2 | Maurice Smith | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 28 | November 17, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 16–2 | Valentijn Overeem | Submission (toe hold) | Rings - King of Kings 2000 Block A | October 9, 2000 | 1 | 2:19 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–1 | Tariel Bitsadze | Submission (armbar) | Rings - King of Kings 2000 Block A | October 9, 2000 | 1 | 2:58 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–1 | Hiromitsu Kanehara | Decision (unanimous) | Rings - Millennium Combine 2 | June 15, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14–1 | Jacob Zobnin | Submission (rear naked choke) | Rings Russia - Russia vs. The World | May 20, 2000 | 1 | 3:20 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 13–1 | Travis Fulton | Submission (armbar) | Rings - Millennium Combine 1 | April 20, 2000 | 1 | 4:49 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 12–1 | Dan Henderson | Decision (majority) | Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final | February 26, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–0 | Kiyoshi Tamura | Decision (majority) | Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final | February 26, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 11–0 | Mikhail Ilyukhin | Submission (armbar) | Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final | February 26, 2000 | 3 | 0:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–0 | Brad Kohler | KO (soccer kick) | WEF: Goin' Platinum | January 15, 2000 | 2 | 0:50 | Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Lee Hasdell | Decision (unanimous) | Rings - King of Kings 1999 Block A | October 28, 1999 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–0 | Zaza Tkeshelashvili | Submission (kimura) | Rings - King of Kings 1999 Block A | October 28, 1999 | 2 | 1:11 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7–0 | Dario Amorim | Submission (punches) | BVF 14 - Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 | July 24, 1999 | 1 | 2:14 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–0 | Pedro Otavio | Submission (punches) | BVF 14 - Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 | July 24, 1999 | 1 | 4:34 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Augusto Menezes Santos | Submission (keylock) | BVF 14 - Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 | July 24, 1999 | 1 | 0:56 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Fernando Cerchiari | KO (punches) | IVC 8: The Road Back to the Top | January 20, 1999 | 1 | 4:41 | Aracaju, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Marco Vinicios | KO (punches) | Desafio: Rio vs. Sao Paulo | September 27, 1997 | 2 | 4:58 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Manoel Vicente | KO (punches and stomp) | Desafio: Rio vs. Sao Paulo | September 27, 1997 | 1 | 6:27 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Claudio Palma | Submission (leg kicks) | Desafio: Rio vs. Sao Paulo | September 27, 1997 | 1 | 2:08 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Babalu BJJ / Gracie Barra Cerritos". babalubjj.com. http://www.babalubjj.com/. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- ^ Gracie Barra Cerritos Instructor Profile
- ^ http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-fighter/Renato-Sobral.html
- ^ Wrobel, Pedro (November 23, 2004). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Interview". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/interviews.asp?n_id=2198. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b c d Iole, Kevin (August 28, 2007). "There should be no room for Babalu's antics". Yahoo! Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-babalu082807. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b Gross, Josh (August 30, 2007). "Babaloose: UFC Cuts Controversial Fighter". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=8797. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b Gross, Josh (September 24, 2007). "NSAC Fines 'Babalu' 25K". Sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9197. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ Carpinello, Dave (September 30, 2007). "Josh Thomson: After the Mansion". Punch Drunk Gamer. http://www.punchdrunkgamer.com/interviewsJoshThomson2.html. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ Perkins, Jason (November 1, 2007). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Signs With Xcess Fighting". MMA Fightline. http://www.mmafightline.com/news/2007/111/renato_babalu_sobral_307084.shtml. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ "WCO Hits San Diego". Sherdog.com. December 27, 2007. http://www.sherdog.com/news/pr.asp?n_id=10552. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ Gross, Josh (January 12, 2008). "Breaking News: Saturday's WCO Event Cancelled". http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=10787. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ "Sobral expected to face Mousasi at Affliction: Trilogy". M-1 Global. June 1, 2009. http://www.m-1global.com/en/news/detail/id/9413/sobral-expected-to-face-mousasi-at-affliction-trilogy. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
- ^ "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 2009-07-24. http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news/mma/4043/affliction_releases_official_statement_on_cancellation. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (2009-07-27). "Strikeforce Adds Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Title Fight". MMA Fanhouse. http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/07/27/strikeforce-adds-gegard-mousasi-vs-renato-babalu-sobral-title/. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "Robbie Lawler vs. "Babalu" Sobral tapped "Strikeforce: Los Angeles" main event". mmajunkie.com. http://mmajunkie.com/news/18944/robbie-lawler-vs-babalu-sobral-tapped-strikeforce-los-angeles-main-event.mma. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ Greg Savage. "‘Babalu’ Beats Lawler; ‘Cyborg’ Stops Zaromskis". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Babalu-Beats-Lawler-Cyborg-Stops-Zaromskis-25145.
- ^ "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu slated for Dec 4, Walker in co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. September 22, 2010. http://mmajunkie.com/news/20742/strikeforce-henderson-vs-babalu-slated-for-dec-4-walker-in-co-headliner.mma.
- ^ Tabueno, Anton (December 30, 2011). "Asian MMA Update: Babalu Sobral Signs With OneFC.". Bloody Elbow. http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/12/30/2670135/asian-mma-babalu-sobral-signs-with-one-fc-folayang-vs. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ Ganapathy, Kyle (January 31, 2012). "Main Card for Singapore's ONE FC 3 announced". I-S Magazine Singapore. http://is.asia-city.com/events/news/main-card-singapore-one-fighting-championship-3-announced. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "Outside the Octagon". SHERDOG.com, by Loretta Hunt. 2008-11-21. http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/event/1/Outside-the-Octagon-15252. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "FOCUSED ON SOKOUDJOU, BABALU BREAKING FOR BABY". MMAWEEKLY.com. 2009-01-23. http://mmaweekly.com/focused-on-sokoudjou-babalu-breaking-for-baby-2. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ^ "Following Birth of Daughter, 'Babalu' Refocuses on Busy Fight Schedule". MMAFANHOUSE.com. 2009-06-06. http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/06/06/following-birth-of-daughter-babalu-refocuses-on-busy-year/. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ^ "BABALU ARRESTED". MMAweekly.com. 2007-07-16. http://mmaweekly.com/babalu-arrested-2.
- ^ "Gracie Barra Cerritos". http://www.gbcerritos.com/.
- ^ "Still I Rise". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbe3eQmp3mQ. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Bobby Southworth |
2nd Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion November 21, 2008 - August 15, 2009 |
Succeeded by Gegard Mousasi |
