Where does Renato "Babalu" Sobral fall in MMA History?

After suffering his third TKO loss in four fights, Babalu Sobral (37-11) hung up his gloves after falling to Jacob Noe at Bellator 96. Age and the injury bug seemed to finally catch up with the veteran Brazilian fighter. I was asked recently by a couple readers where he fell in the history of MMA.

Babalu was a solid submission grappler who loved to kick box, sometimes maybe a little too much. If there were yearly all-star teams in MMA, Babalu would have earned spots on the 2003 and 2005 teams. So I guess you could say he would belong in the "Hall of the Very Good" but not quite the "Hall of Fame."

Babalu went 4-0 in 2003 defeating Marcelo Azevedo (8-8) in Heat FC 1 before entering the IFC Global Domination light heavyweight tournament on September 6, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. Babalu ran the table, defeating UFC veteran Trevor Prangley (30-9) via decision, submitted then undefeated former UFC champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (21-7) via guillotine choke then defeated well traveled UFC vet Jeremy Horn (89-21) via decision.

Babalu had a solid 2004, winning a decision over Brazilian MMA pioneer Jose "Pele" Landi Jons (27-15), then tapping out UFC veteran Cyrille Diabate (19-9). In 2005 Babalu submitted Pierre Guillet with punches in Cage Rage, before entering the UFC and submitting Travis Wiuff (68-18) via armbar and title challenger Chael Sonnen (27-13) via triangle.

Babalu's streak would come crashing to an end in 2006, when Chuck Liddell iced him with a highlight reel head kick finish. Babalu's return fight somehow ended worst, as he got KO'd by Jason Lambert. In his most infamous and bloodiest bout, Babalu would comeback to defeat David Heath (18-7) with an anaconda choke that was held a second or two too long. The incident would earn Babalu his walking papers from the UFC. All in all, Babalu had a solid career.

(Babalu following the choke)

Babalu would catch on with Affliction and Strikeforce, where he notched big wins over Robbie Lawler, Sokoudjou and Mike Whitehead. Throughout his career, Babalu seemed to only lose to top fighters. He notched some career defining wins. Babalu will continue teaching at his California based gym, the next time you see, he might be coaching the next up and coming prospect.

Video of the Day - Diabate v. Sobral

Here is Renato "Babalu" Sobral fighting Cyrille Diabate at Cage Rage 9 which took place on 11/27/04 in London, England.

Sobral announced his retirement this Wednesday night after losing to Jacob Noe in Bellator.

Strikeforce Preview - Carano v. Cyborg

This weekend's Strikeforce - Carano v. Cyborg show will take place at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California. The action will be shown live on Showtime. The event will feature three title fights, with the welterweight belt postponed after a missed drug test by Nick Diaz.

(Gina Carano throwing a kick in practice)

The card is littered with stars such as Dream superstar Gegard Mousasi, Affliction/IFL/UFC vet Jay Hieron and UFC vets Jesse Taylor, Babalu Sobral and Fabricio Werdum. The Carano v. Cyborg fight is one of the biggest women's MMA bouts of all-time.

Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos- This fight is for the first ever Strikeforce Women's 145 pound title. Expect each fighter to keep the fight standing and work powerful combinations. Santos (7-1) will likely look for big shots, while Carano (8-0) looks to work combinations.

(Cris Cyborg pictured)

Champ Renato Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi- LHW Title Fight- Babalu (35-8), the current Strikeforce LHW Champ has looked sharp since his departure from the UFC winning 5 straight including wins over Mike Whitehead, Bobby Southworth and Sokoudjou. The submission ace will look to get the fight to the ground.

(Babalu pictured)

Gegard Mousasi (25-2) has been on fire as of late, winning the Dream Middleweight Grad Prix and Title. He also has won a K-1 rules match against Musashi. His latest string of 12 victories has included wins over Mark Hunt in the Dream Super Hulk tournament; Jacare, Melvin Manhoef, Denis Kang and Dong Sik Yoon in Dream's MW Tournament; Hector Lombard in Pride and Cyborg Santos in HCF. I expect Mousasi to keep the fight standing and look for a KO.

(Gegard Mousasi pictured)

Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida- LW Title Fight
Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor

UNDERCARD

Mike Kyle vs. Fabricio Werdum
Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty
David "Tarzan" Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox
Zak Bucia vs. James Terry
Isaiah Hill vs. Alex Trevino

Affliction: Day of Reckoning Preview

Here is the rumored card for Affliction: Day of Reckoning which takes place this Saturday. The under card will be shown live on HDNet. The fights will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

MAIN CARD

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski- Fedor's lone mma appearance in 2008 was a 36 second destruction of former UFC champ Tim Sylvia. Fedor will most likely try to bring the fight to the ground in an attempt to submit Arlovski. Then again, Fedor may try to use his boxing to take out Arlovski.

A highly decorated fighter that some call the greatest of all-time, Fedor has beat the best fighters at their primes. We will see how much longer Fedor's reign can continue. Fedor holds wins over Tim Sylvia, Antonio Nogueria, Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Semmy Schilt, Ricardo Arona, Heath Herring, Gary Goodridge, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Mark Coleman, Mark Hunt, Matt Lindland, Naoya Ogawa, Kevin Randleman and Kazuyuki Fujita.

(Fedor choking out Tim Sylvia)

If Arlovski has one thing going for him, its a lack of ring rust. Arlovski fought three times in 2008 earning TKO/KO wins over Jake O'Brien, Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson. The former UFC heavyweight champ will likely try to utilize his boxing skills that he has been honing recently with legendery boxing coach Freddie Roach. Arlovski has beat Vladimir Matyushenko, Justin Eilers, Tim Sylvia (w/two losses), Paul Buentello and Ian Freeman in the UFC.

(Andrei Arlovski pictured)

Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel- Barnett is an absolute monster in the submission game. In his three appearances in 2008 Barnett won over Jeff Monson via unanimous decision, Hidehiko Yoshida via heel hook and in his most impressive performance KO'd legendary striker Pedro Rizzo.

Josh Barnett has victories over Mirko Cro Cop, Aleksander Emelianenko, Semmy Schilt, Dan Severn, Mark Hunt and Yuki Kondo in his career. With 14 of his 23 victories won via submission, common logic would seem to lend Barnett going for a submission. Barnett should have a weight advantage in this fight.

(Josh Barnett pictured)

Gilbert Yvel (35-12) is a controversial figure in the mma world. He infamously has eye gouged Don Frye and KO'd a referee. What's lost is that he has a solid resume with 30 wins via KO/TKO and 5 sumission victories. His big wins have come against Semmy Schilt, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Cheick Kongo, Valentijn Overeem and Fabiano Scherner. Gilbert will look to get a KO on a takedown attempt.

(Gilbert Yvel throwing the knee)

Vitor Belfort vs. Matt Lindland- These two ten year UFC vets will fight in an interesting 185 pound contest. Vitor Belfort (17-8) last defeated UFC vet Terry Martin at the first Affliction with flashes of his devastating striking style. Vitor is currently on a three fight win streak and has victories over Randy Couture, Heath Herring, Wanderlei Silva and Gilbert Yvel.

(Vitor Belfort pictured)

Matt Lindland, the former Olympic silver medalist in Greco Roman wrestling will carry a chip on his shoulder after a decision victory of Fabio Nascimento at the first Affliction. Previous to that fight, Lindland lost to Fedor in Bodog Fight. Lindland has victories over Jeremy Horn, Carlos Newton, Joe Doerkson, Travis Lutter and Pat Miletich.

(Matt Lindland pictured)

Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Paul Buentello vs. Kiril Sidelnikov

UNDER CARD (HDNet)

Vladamir Matyushenko vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Jay Hieron vs. Jason High
L.C. Davis vs. Bao Quach
Antonio Duarte vs. Albert Rios
Patrick Speight vs. Brett Cooper

*Chris Horodecki vs. Dan Lauzon- scratched due to a Horodecki bulging disc.

Tito to Affliction

Tito Ortiz has confirmed that he now will be fighting under the Affliction promotion. He will most likely fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral at Affliction's second event in Las Vegas. Tito attributed Donald Trump's involvement in Affliction as one of the reasons he signed with the promotion.

Tito kept the UFC in the limelight during the dark ages, winning the LHW belt after Frank Shamrock left the UFC. He defended the belt five straight times. Victories over Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin, 3X Ken Shamrock, Jerry Bohlander, Evan Tanner, Yuki Kondo, Vladimir Matyushenko, Wanderlei Silva and a split with Guy Mezger.


*Here is a Mad TV Video - Big Man Deodrant
*MMA Blaster readers were right in predicting Tito would land in Affliction, the number two promotion everyone thought was Elite XC.

Affliction - Banned

AFFLICTION - BANNED

Below is a rumored all-star card for the inaugural Affliction show. Affliction has a whopping seven current top twenty heavyweights according to MMA Blaster rankings. Almost every fighter on the card has fought on the main stage in the UFC, Pride, IFL or BoDog. The show will air on pay per view, and reportedly have a big music act as well. Megadeth has been mentioned as a possibility.



Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) vs. Tim Sylvia (24-4)- Finally we get to see number one heavyweight Fedor fight a legit heavyweight threat in former UFC Champ Tim Sylvia. Sylvia lost his UFC heavyweight crown to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81. Fedor beat massive Hong Man Choi in his last fight. Sylvia will try to use his 6'8" frame and reach advantage to box with Fedor. Sylvia was 9-4 in the UFC.


Josh Barnett (20-5) vs. Pedro Rizzo (16-7)- Former UFC heavyweight champs Josh Barnet and Pedro Rizzo are squaring off against each other in this rematch. Rizzo has a KO victory over Josh at UFC 30, and last won against Jeff Monson in last September's Art of War 3 show. Below is a gif from Barnett v. Yoshida. Barnett has beat Monson and Yoshida after a very close split decision loss to Big Nog.


Ben Rothwell (29-5) vs. Andrei Arlovski (12-5)- IFL heavyweight sensation Ben Rothwell (29-5) should be in action against former UFC HW Champ Andrei Arlovski (13-5). The heavy-handed Rothwell last won a unanimous decision over Ricco Rodriguez in September. Rothwell is on a 13 fight win streak. Arlovski is on a three fight win streak against heavyweights Marcio Cruz, Fabricio Werdum, and Jake O'Brien. This will be Arlovski's first fight outside the UFC since May of 2000.

Matt Lindland (20-5) vs. Fabio Nascimento (19-5)- On the same note we finally get to see UFC/IFL/Bodog veteran Matt Lindland fight again. The former UFC middleweight contender has been on the shelf since his loss to Fedor at heavyweight last April. Lindland has been making a successful run at a state Representative spot in Oregon.

Renato "Babalu" Sobral (29-7) vs. Mike Whitehead (20-5)- Mike Whitehead is on an eleven fight win streak in the IFL and regional fight promotions. He is facing released UFC fighter Babalu Sobral. Sobral won his first match outside the UFC against Rodney Faverus (24-15). Babalu was booted from the UFC following the infamous David Heath choke incident.

Vitor Belfort (16-8) v. Terry Martin (17-4)- Another interesting fight is between Terry Martin and Vitor Belfort. Martin has won a boxing match and his last MMA match. Former UFC Champ Belfort won twice last year in Cage Rage, but hasn't fought this year. Vitor won the LHW Belt from Randy Couture at UFC 46.

Paul Buentello (23-10) vs. Aleksander Emelianenko (13-3)- Alistair Overeem recently defeated Buentello for the Strikeforce heavyweight title. Fedor's brother, Aleks, is coming off a victories over Silvao Santos, Dan Bobish, Jessie Gibson and Eric Pele.

UNDERCARD
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3) v. *Edwin Dewees (38-12)
Mark Hominick (15-8) vs. Savant Young (9-7)
JJ Ambrose (9-1) vs. Mike Pyle (15-5)

+Some fights will air on FSN before the ppv broadcast.
++Check out the Inside MMA show for more information.
+++The UFC will run an Ultimate Fight Night to cut away at the debut show.

WCO Card Down the Drain

The World Cagefighting Organization was supposed to have a star studded lineup of ex-UFC talent for its Saturday show. They included UFC 14 and 15 champ Mark Kerr, ex-UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez, UFC vets Renato Sobral, Joe Riggs, David Loiseau, Tiki Ghosn and Carmelo Marrero. According to Sherdog.com, the weigh-in on Friday lasted five hours and Ghosn and Marrero's opponents failed to appear. On Saturday the card disintegrated, the fights didn't happen, and hopefully the fighters got a 20% cut.

I was looking forward to surfing the net to find the WCO fights today. Since there are none to share with you, here is a clip of David Loiseau's buddy Georges St. Pierre showing us how to do the Superman punch.