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==MMA career==
==MMA 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]].<ref name=sherdog04>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/interviews.asp?n_id=2198
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]].<ref name=sherdog04>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/interviews.asp?n_id=2198
|title=Renato "Babalu" Sobral Interview
|title=Renato "Babalu" Sobral Interview

Revision as of 09:13, 20 September 2009

Renato Sobral
Born (1975-09-07) September 7, 1975 (age 49)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesBabalu
NationalityBrazilian
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
StyleWrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai
Fighting out ofCosta Mesa, California
TeamGracie Barra Combat Team/Erik Paulson's CSW
Rank  black belt in BJJ
Mixed martial arts record
Total44
Wins35
By knockout3
By submission17
Losses9
Draws0

Renato (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈnatu]) Sobral-de Cuinha[1] (born September 7, 1975 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he posted a 6-4 record. He is a member of the Gracie Barra Combat Team and has a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Some of his MMA achievements include defeating fighters Trevor Prangley, Mauricio Rua, and Jeremy Horn in a single night at IFC's Global Domination tournament.


MMA 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.[2]

UFC

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.

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.[3] During his post-fight interview, Sobral told UFC color analyst Joe Rogan that he was aware that Heath had tapped, but "he (Heath) has to learn respect. He deserved that. He called me 'motherfucker'."[3] 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."[3]

On August 30, 2007, Sobral was released from his contractual obligations by the UFC due to his actions at UFC 74.[4] 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."[3] 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."[4] 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.[5]

After the UFC

Strikeforce and Affliction

After the termination of his deal with the UFC, Sobral was courted by numerous promotions looking to sign him.[5] During the September 29 Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion it was announced that Sobral had signed a non-exclusive deal with Strikeforce.[6] It has since been revealed that he has signed two more non-exclusive deals with Hardcore Championship Fighting and Xcess Fighting.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]

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,[10] but the event was canceled after losing its main event.[11] The fight was then moved to Strikeforce's August 15 card, Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg and changed into a Light Heavy Weight bout for the Light-Heavyweight Championship with Sobral as the title holder.[12] Sobral lost the title to Mousasi by first round Knockout.

Personal life

Renato and his wife Natasha have two daughters named Maria Fernanda and Sophia, who was born in May 2009. [13][14][15]

His nickname comes from a brand of bubblegum that he used to chew (Bubbaloo).[13]

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.[13][16]

In October 2008 he opened his own gym, Gracie Barra Cerritos, in Cerritos, California.[13]

MMA record

Professional record breakdown
44 matches 35 wins 9 losses
By knockout 5 4
By submission 18 1
By decision 12 4
Record Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time Location Notes
35–9 2009-08-15 Loss Armenia Gegard Mousasi Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg KO (Strikes) 1 1:00 United States San Jose, California Lost Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship
35–8 2009-01-24 Win Cameroon Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Affliction: Day of Reckoning Submission (Brabo Choke) 2 2:36 United States Anaheim, California, US
34–8 2008-11-21 Win United States Bobby Southworth Strikeforce: Destruction TKO (Cut) 1 5:00 United States San Jose, California, US Won Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship
33–8 2008-07-19 Win United States Mike Whitehead Affliction: Banned Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 United States Anaheim, California, US
32–8 2007-12-09 Win Netherlands Rodney Glunder Ring of Fire Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) 1 0:27 Philippines Manila, Philippines
31–8 2007-08-25 Win United States David Heath UFC 74: Respect Submission (anaconda choke) 2 3:30 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, US Babalu was released from the UFC for refusing to release the choke after referee stoppage of the fight.
30–8 2007-03-03 Loss United States Jason Lambert UFC 68: The Uprising KO (Punch) 2 3:26 United States Columbus, Ohio, US
30–7 2006-08-26 Loss United States Chuck Liddell UFC 62: Liddell vs Sobral TKO (Punches) 1 1:35 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, US For UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
30–6 2006-02-04 Win United States Mike Van Arsdale UFC 57: Liddell vs Couture 3 Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 1 2:21 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, US
29–6 2005-10-07 Win United States Chael Sonnen UFC 55: Fury Submission (Triangle Choke) 2 1:20 United States Uncasville, Connecticut, US
28–6 2005-04-16 Win United States Travis Wiuff UFC 52: Couture vs Liddell 2 Submission (Armbar) 2 0:24 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, US
27–6 2005-02-26 Win France Pierre Guillet Cage Rage 10-Deliverance Submission (Strikes) 1 1:57 United Kingdom London, England, UK
26–6 2004-11-27 Win France Cyrille Diabate Cage Rage 9-No Mercy Submission (Choke) 1 3:38 United Kingdom London, England, UK
25–6 2004-10-23 Win Brazil Jose Landi-Jons JF 3-Jungle Fight 3 Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 Brazil Manaus, Brazil
24–6 2003-09-06 Win United States Jeremy Horn IFC-Global Domination Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 United States Denver, Colorado, US IFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Final
23–6 2003-09-06 Win Brazil Mauricio Rua IFC-Global Domination Submission (Guillotine Choke) 3 3:07 United States Denver, Colorado, US IFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
22–6 2003-09-06 Win South Africa Trevor Prangley IFC-Global Domination Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 United States Denver, Colorado, US IFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal
21–6 2003-07-31 Win Brazil Marcelo Azevedo Heat FC 1-Genesis Decision 3 5:00 Brazil Natal, Brazil
20–6 2003-05-02 Loss United States Chael Sonnen Heat FC 1-Genesis Decision 3 5:00 Brazil Natal, Brazil
20–5 2002-11-22 Loss United States Chuck Liddell UFC 40: Vendetta KO (head kick) 1 2:55 United States Las Vegas, Nevada, US
20–4 2002-07-13 Win Australia Elvis Sinosic UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 United Kingdom London, England, UK
19–4 2002-01-11 Loss United States Kevin Randleman UFC 35: Throwdown Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00 United States Uncasville, Connecticut, US
19–3 2001-08-11 Loss Russia Fedor Emelianenko Rings-10th Anniversary Decision (Unanimous) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
19–2 2001-06-15 Win Japan Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Rings-World Title Series 2 Decision (Majority) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
18–2 2001-02-24 Win Japan Kiyoshi Tamura Rings-King of Kings 2000 Final Decision (Majority) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
17–2 2000-11-17 Win United States Maurice Smith UFC 28: High Stakes Decision 3 5:00 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16–2 2000-10-09 Loss Netherlands Valentijn Overeem Rings-King of Kings 2000 Block A Submission (Toe Hold) 1 2:19 Japan Tokyo, Japan
16–1 2000-10-09 Win Georgia (country) Tariel Bitsadze Rings-King of Kings 2000 Block A Submission (Armbar) 1 2:58 Japan Tokyo, Japan
15–1 2000-06-15 Win Japan Hiromitsu Kanehara Rings-Millennium Combine 2 Decision (Unanimous) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
14–1 2000-05-20 Win Russia Jacob Zobnin Rings Russia-Rings Russia Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 1 3:20 Japan Tokyo, Japan
13–1 2000-04-20 Win United States Travis Fulton Rings-Millennium Combine 1 Submission (Armbar) 1 4:49 Japan Tokyo, Japan
12–1 2000-02-26 Loss United States Dan Henderson Rings-King of Kings 1999 Final Decision (Majority) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
12–0 2000-02-26 Win Japan Kiyoshi Tamura Rings-King of Kings 1999 Final Decision (Majority) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
11–0 2000-02-26 Win Russia Mikhail Illoukhine Rings-King of Kings 1999 Final Submission (Armbar) 3 0:40 Japan Tokyo, Japan
10–0 2000-01-15 Win United States Brad Kohler World Extreme Fighting – 8-Goin' Platinum KO (Soccer Kick to the head) 2 0:50 United States Rome, Georgia
9–0 1999-10-28 Win United Kingdom Lee Hasdell Rings-King of Kings 1999 Block A Decision (Unanimous) 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan
8–0 1999-10-28 Win Georgia (country) Zaza Tkeshelashvili Rings-King of Kings 1999 Block A Submission (kimura) 2 1:11 Japan Tokyo, Japan
7–0 1999-07-24 Win Brazil Dario Amorim BVF 14-Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 Submission (Punches) 1 2:14 Brazil Brazil
6–0 1999-07-24 Win Brazil Pedro Otavio BVF 14-Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 Submission (Punches) 1 4:34 Brazil Brazil
5–0 1999-07-24 Win Brazil Augusto Menezes Santos BVF 14-Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 Submission (Keylock) 1 0:56 Brazil Brazil
4–0 1999-01-20 Win Brazil Fernando Cerchiari IVC 8-The Road Back to the Top KO (Punches) 1 4:41 Brazil Aracaju, Brazil
3–0 1997-09-27 Win Brazil Marco Vinicios Desafio – Rio vs. São Paulo TKO (Retirement) 2 4:58 Brazil Brazil
2–0 1997-09-27 Win Brazil Manoel Vicente Desafio – Rio vs. São Paulo TKO (Punches and Stomp) 1 6:27 Brazil Brazil
1–0 1997-09-27 Win Brazil Claudio Palma Desafio – Rio vs. São Paulo Submission (Leg Kicks) 1 2:08 Brazil Brazil

See also

References

  1. ^ http://boxing.nv.gov/2006Results/08-26-06.pdf
  2. ^ Wrobel, Pedro (November 23, 2004). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Interview". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  3. ^ a b c d Iole, Kevin (August 28, 2007). "There should be no room for Babalu's antics". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  4. ^ a b Gross, Josh (August 30, 2007). "Babaloose: UFC Cuts Controversial Fighter". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  5. ^ a b Gross, Josh (September 24, 2007). "NSAC Fines 'Babalu' 25K". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  6. ^ Carpinello, Dave (September 30, 2007). "Josh Thomson: After the Mansion". Punch Drunk Gamer. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  7. ^ Perkins, Jason (November 1, 2007). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Signs With Xcess Fighting". MMA Fightline. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  8. ^ "WCO Hits San Diego". Sherdog.com. December 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  9. ^ Gross, Josh (January 12, 2008). "Breaking News: Saturday's WCO Event Cancelled". Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  10. ^ "Sobral expected to face Mousasi at Affliction: Trilogy". M-1 Global. June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  11. ^ "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  12. ^ Smith, Michael David (2009-07-27). "Strikeforce Adds Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Title Fight". MMA Fanhouse. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  13. ^ a b c d "Outside the Octagon". SHERDOG.com, by Loretta Hunt. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  14. ^ "FOCUSED ON SOKOUDJOU, BABALU BREAKING FOR BABY". MMAWEEKLY.com. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  15. ^ "Following Birth of Daughter, 'Babalu' Refocuses on Busy Fight Schedule". MMAFANHOUSE.com. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  16. ^ MMA WEEKLY - Your #1 Source for Daily MMA News, Interviews, Multimedia, and More: - BABALU ARRESTED
Preceded by 2nd Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
November 21, 2008 - August 15,2009
Succeeded by