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Renato Sobral

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Brazilian kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter

Renato Sobral
Sobral at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event in 2009
BornRenato Sobral da Cunha
(1975-09-07) 7 September 1975 (age 49)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesBabalu
ResidenceGarden Grove, California, United States
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Reach76 in (193 cm)
Fighting out ofGarden Grove, California, United States
TeamGracie Barra Cerritos
Kings MMA
Babalu's Iron Gym
RankBlack belt in Luta Livre under Marco Ruas
Third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie Jr. and Roberto Correa
Black prajied in Muay Thai
Years active1997–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total49
Wins37
By knockout9
By submission15
By decision13
Losses12
By knockout7
By submission1
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Renato Sobral da Cunha (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈnatu soˈbɾaw]; born 7 September 1975), also known as "Babalu", is a retired Brazilian Luta Livre submission grappler, mixed martial artist, and was the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Sobral previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he posted a 6–4 record and has also competed for Bellator, RINGS, Jungle Fight, Cage Rage, Affliction, and ONE Championship. He is the Head Instructor of Babalu's Iron Gym Cerritos and has a Luta Livre black belt under Marco Ruas and also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr.

Background

Sobral is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and began competing in wrestling from a young age of nine. Sobral a three-time Brazilian National Wrestling Champion in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Sobral joined the Gracie Barra Combat Team and trained in Ruas Vale Tudo, a martial arts system developed by Marco Ruas.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Sobral made his professional mixed martial arts debut on 27 September 1997 in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro. He won all three of his fights on the same night by strikes and then had a one-fight stint in International Vale Tudo before fighting in Brazilian Vale Tudo on 24 July 1999. Sobral again won all three of his fights that night and then made his debut in the Japanese RINGS organization.

RINGS

Sobral made his RINGS debut against Georgian wrestler Zaza Tkeshelashvili and won via kimura arm submission. He followed this up with a unanimous decision win over British kickboxer Lee Hasdell.

Still undefeated, he participated in the King of Kings 1999 Final, winning his first two fights of the day before being handed his first career loss by Dan Henderson. Sobral lost the fight via minority decision, two judges scored the bout a draw while a third judge scored the bout in Henderson's favor.

Sobral then won his next four consecutive fights before losing to Valentijn Overeem by a toe hold submission.

After a one-fight stint in the UFC, he fought in RINGS three more times. He defeated Kiyoshi Tamura via majority decision, followed this up with another majority decision win over Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Sobral then faced Fedor Emilianenko at the 10th Anniversary show and lost via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Sobral made his UFC debut at UFC 28 against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith. Sobral won the fight via unanimous decision.

Sobral next fought Kevin Randleman at UFC 35 on 11 January 2002. He lost via unanimous decision.

Sobral's next fight was against Elvis Sinosic at UFC 38 on 13 July 2002. He won via unanimous decision.

Sobral next fought Chuck Liddell at UFC 40 on 22 November 2002. He lost via head kick in the first round.

He left the UFC in early 2003 and fought for minor and local promotions until his return in 2005.

Sobral returned to the UFC at UFC 52 against Travis Wiuff on 16 April 2005. He won the fight via armbar in the second round.

Sobral next fought future Middleweight and Light Heavyweight title challenger Chael Sonnen at UFC 55 on 7 October 2005. He won the fight via triangle choke in the second round.

Sobral's next fight was at UFC 57 against Mike Van Arsdale on 4 February 2006. He won the fight via rear naked choke in the first round.

At UFC 62, Sobral was defeated by Chuck Liddell in a rematch 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 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. 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 motherfucker." 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."

On 30 August 2007, Sobral was released from his contractual obligations by the UFC due to his actions at UFC 74, with UFC President Dana White calling Sobral's actions "completely unacceptable. This is the fight game and shit happens. But no way can you do what he did." 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." 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.

Strikeforce and Affliction

After the termination of his deal with the UFC, Renato Sobral was courted by numerous promotions looking to sign him. During the 29 September Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion it was announced that Sobral had signed a non-exclusive deal with Strikeforce. It has since been revealed that he signed two more non-exclusive deals with Hardcore Championship Fighting and Xcess Fighting. Sobral also later competed in an event for the Ring of Fire promotion, defeating K-1 veteran 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. 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.

Sobral then signed with Affliction Entertainment's MMA promotion and appeared at Affliction: Banned on 19 July, defeating Mike Whitehead by unanimous decision. Sobral's next fight was against Bobby Southworth in San Jose, California on 21 November 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 24 January 2009 in a light heavyweight fight. The fight ended in the second round when Babalu submitted Sokoudjou with a D'arce 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 6 June 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, but the event was canceled after losing its main event. The fight was then moved to Strikeforce's 15 August card, Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg and changed into a bout for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship with Sobral as the titleholder. Sobral lost the title to Mousasi via knockout in the first round.

Sobral last fought Robbie Lawler in a 195 lbs Catchweight bout on 16 June 2010 at Strikeforce: Los Angeles. 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.

Sobral's request was later fulfilled and he fought Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II on 4 December 2010. Sobral was knocked out in the first round.

ONE Championship

In late December 2011, After one year of inactivity Sobral signed an exclusive deal with Singaporean MMA promotion ONE Championship also known as ONE FC, ONE FC officials stated that Sobral has "global exclusivity" with the promotion. Sobral was slated to fight Melvin Manhoef on 31 March 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.

Sobral returned to action in the main event of ONE FC 4 on 23 June. He defeated Tatsuya Mizuno at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors in Kuala Lumpur, via an armbar submission in the first round. The stoppage came less than a minute into the first round.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Sobral faced Combat Sambo Russia National Champion Mikhail Zayats on 17 January 2013 at Bellator 85. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Despite the loss, Sobral competed in Bellator's Light Heavyweight summer series tournament on Spike. He faced Jacob Noe in the opening round of a 4-man tournament at Bellator 96 on 19 June 2013. Sobral lost when the referee stopped the fight for a standing TKO. After the fight, Sobral announced his retirement from MMA.

Submission grappling career

Metamoris

Dean Lister and Renato Sobral fought to a draw at Metamoris 3 in a submission grappling match.

Chael Sonnen and Renato Sobral fought to a draw in a trilogy fight at Metamoris 6 in a submission grappling match.

Personal life

Sobral and his wife Natasha have two daughters, who were born in May 2009. He has both their names tattooed on him.

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

In October 2008 he opened his own gym, Gracie Barra Cerritos, in Cerritos, California. In 2010, his gym changed to Babalu's Iron Gym.

Sobral was awarded his Brazilian jiu-jitsu third degree black belt in August 2017 from Roberto "Gordo" Correa.

Appeared in the video Still I Rise by the American heavy metal band Shadows Fall.

In May 2019 Sobral revealed that he was suffering from symptoms consistent with early onset of CTE.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
49 matches 37 wins 12 losses
By knockout 9 7
By submission 15 1
By decision 13 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 37–12 Jacob Noe TKO (punches) Bellator 96 19 June 2013 3 3:32 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Bellator 2013 Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 37–11 Mikhail Zayats TKO (punches) Bellator 85 17 January 2013 1 4:49 Irvine, California, United States Bellator Season Eight Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 37–10 Tatsuya Mizuno Submission (armbar) ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors 24 June 2012 1 0:31 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Loss 36–10 Dan Henderson KO (punches) Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II 4 December 2010 1 1:53 Missouri, United States Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win 36–9 Robbie Lawler Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Los Angeles 16 June 2010 3 5:00 California, United States 195 lb Catchweight bout
Loss 35–9 Gegard Mousasi KO (punches) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg 15 August 2009 1 1:00 California, United States Lost the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 35–8 Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Submission (D'Arce choke) Affliction: Day of Reckoning 24 January 2009 2 2:36 California, United States
Win 34–8 Bobby Southworth TKO (doctor stoppage) Strikeforce: Destruction 21 November 2008 1 5:00 California, United States Won the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 33–8 Mike Whitehead Decision (unanimous) Affliction: Banned 19 July 2008 3 5:00 California, United States
Win 32–8 Rodney Glunder Submission (arm-triangle choke) Ring of Fire 30: Babalu vs. Glunder 9 December 2007 3 3:31 Colorado, United States
Win 31–8 David Heath Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 74 25 August 2007 2 3:30 Nevada, United States Cut from the UFC post-fight after holding on to the submission too long.
Loss 30–8 Jason Lambert KO (punch) UFC 68 3 March 2007 2 3:26 Ohio, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 30–7 Chuck Liddell TKO (punches) UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral 26 August 2006 1 1:35 Nevada, United States For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 30–6 Mike van Arsdale Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 4 February 2006 1 2:21 Nevada, United States
Win 29–6 Chael Sonnen Submission (triangle choke) UFC 55: Fury 7 October 2005 2 1:20 Connecticut, United States
Win 28–6 Travis Wiuff Submission (armbar) UFC 52: Couture vs Liddell 16 April 2005 2 0:24 Nevada, United States
Win 27–6 Pierre Guillet TKO (submission to punches) Cage Rage 10 26 February 2005 1 1:57 London, United Kingdom
Win 26–6 Cyrille Diabaté Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Rage 9 27 November 2004 1 3:38 London, United Kingdom
Win 25–6 José Landi-Jons Decision (unanimous) Jungle Fight 3 23 October 2004 3 5:00 Manaus, Brazil
Win 24–6 Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) IFC: Global Domination 6 September 2003 3 5:00 Colorado, United States
Win 23–6 Maurício Rua Submission (guillotine choke) IFC: Global Domination 6 September 2003 3 3:07 Colorado, United States
Win 22–6 Trevor Prangley Decision (unanimous) IFC: Global Domination 6 September 2003 3 5:00 Colorado, United States
Win 21–6 Marcelo Azevedo Decision (unanimous) Heat FC 1: Genesis 31 July 2003 3 5:00 Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Loss 20–6 Chael Sonnen Decision Hitman Fighting 3 2 May 2003 N/A N/A Santa Ana, California, United States
Loss 20–5 Chuck Liddell KO (head kick) UFC 40 22 November 2002 1 2:55 Nevada, United States
Win 20–4 Elvis Sinosic Decision (unanimous) UFC 38 13 July 2002 3 5:00 London, United Kingdom
Loss 19–4 Kevin Randleman Decision (unanimous) UFC 35 11 January 2002 3 5:00 Connecticut, United States
Loss 19–3 Fedor Emelianenko Decision (unanimous) Rings: 10th Anniversary 11 August 2001 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 19–2 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Decision (majority) Rings: World Title Series 2 15 June 2001 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18–2 Kiyoshi Tamura Decision (majority) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final 24 February 2001 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–2 Maurice Smith Decision (unanimous) UFC 28 17 November 2000 3 5:00 New Jersey, United States Heavyweight Bout
Loss 16–2 Valentijn Overeem Submission (toe hold) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A 9 October 2000 1 2:19 Tokyo, Japan
Win 16–1 Tariel Bitsadze Submission (armbar) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A 9 October 2000 1 2:58 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–1 Hiromitsu Kanehara Decision (unanimous) Rings: Millennium Combine 2 15 June 2000 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–1 Jacob Zobnin Submission (rear-naked choke) Rings Russia: Russia vs. The World 20 May 2000 1 3:20 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13–1 Travis Fulton Submission (armbar) Rings: Millennium Combine 1 20 April 2000 1 4:49 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 12–1 Dan Henderson Decision (majority) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Final 26 February 2000 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–0 Kiyoshi Tamura Decision (majority) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Final 26 February 2000 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 11–0 Mikhail Ilyukhin Submission (armbar) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Final 26 February 2000 3 0:40 Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–0 Brad Kohler KO (soccer kick) WEF: Goin' Platinum 15 January 2000 2 0:50 Georgia, United States
Win 9–0 Lee Hasdell Decision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block A 28 October 1999 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 8–0 Zaza Tkeshelashvili Submission (kimura) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Block A 28 October 1999 2 1:11 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0 Dario Amorim TKO (submission to punches) BVF 14: Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 24 July 1999 1 2:14 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 6–0 Pedro Otavio TKO (submission to punches) BVF 14: Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 24 July 1999 1 4:34 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 5–0 Augusto Menezes Santos Submission (americana) BVF 14: Circuito Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 5 24 July 1999 1 0:56 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 4–0 Fernando Cerchiari KO (punches) IVC 8: The Road Back to the Top 20 January 1999 1 4:41 Aracaju, Brazil
Win 3–0 Marco Vinicios TKO (retirement) Desafio: Rio vs. São Paulo 27 September 1997 2 4:58 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 2–0 Manoel Vicente TKO (punches and stomp) Desafio: Rio vs. São Paulo 27 September 1997 1 6:27 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 1–0 Claudio Palma TKO (submission to leg kicks) Desafio: Rio vs. São Paulo 27 September 1997 1 2:08 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Submission grappling record

4 Matches, 0 Wins, 1 Losses, 3 Draws
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Date Location
Draw 0–1–3 United States Clay Guida Draw Quintet Ultra 12 December 2019 United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 0–1–2 Brazil Roberto Godoi Decision · Points BJJ Stars: Black Belt Edition 24 February 2019 Brazil São Paulo, Brazil
Draw 0–0–2 United States Chael Sonnen Draw Metamoris 6 9 May 2015 United States Los Angeles, California
Draw 0–0–1 United States Dean Lister Draw Metamoris 3 9 March 2014 United States Los Angeles, California


See also

References

  1. "About". Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Babalu BJJ / Babalu's Iron Gym Cerritos". babalubjj.com. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  3. "Renato".
  4. "Team". babalubjj.com.
  5. "Gracie Barra Cerritos Instructor Profile".
  6. "Five Knuckles - Health & Fitness for fighters".
  7. Wrobel, Pedro (23 November 2004). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Interview". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  8. "Renato Sobral". 14 September 2018.
  9. ^ Iole, Kevin (28 August 2007). "There should be no room for Babalu's antics". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  10. ^ Gross, Josh (30 August 2007). "Babaloose: UFC Cuts Controversial Fighter". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  11. ^ Gross, Josh (24 September 2007). "NSAC Fines 'Babalu' 25K". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  12. Carpinello, Dave (30 September 2007). "Josh Thomson: After the Mansion". Punch Drunk Gamer. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  13. Perkins, Jason (1 November 2007). "Renato "Babalu" Sobral Signs With Xcess Fighting". MMA Fightline. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  14. "WCO Hits San Diego". Sherdog.com. 27 December 2007. Archived from the original on 29 December 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  15. Gross, Josh (12 January 2008). "Breaking News: Saturday's WCO Event Cancelled". Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  16. "Sobral expected to face Mousasi at Affliction: Trilogy". M-1 Global. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  17. "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  18. Smith, Michael David (27 July 2009). "Strikeforce Adds Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Title Fight". MMA Fanhouse. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  19. "Robbie Lawler vs. "Babalu" Sobral tapped "Strikeforce: Los Angeles" main event". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  20. Greg Savage. "'Babalu' Beats Lawler; 'Cyborg' Stops Zaromskis". Sherdog.
  21. "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu slated for Dec 4, Walker in co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010.
  22. Tabueno, Anton (30 December 2011). "Asian MMA Update: Babalu Sobral Signs With ONE FC". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  23. Ganapathy, Kyle (31 January 2012). "Main Card for Singapore's ONE FC 3 announced". I-S Magazine Singapore. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  24. "Bellator Premieres Jan. 17th on Spike, Announces Lineups for First Two Cards". MMAjunkie.com. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  25. "King Mo Lawal Slated to Return as Part of Bellator Summer Series Tournament - MMAWeekly.com". 10 April 2013.
  26. "Bellator 96 results: 'King Mo' Lawal devastates, 'Babalu' Sobral retires". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  27. "Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Retires From MMA, Returns To BJJ Roots". bjjee.com. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  28. "Metamoris 3: Bravo vs. Gracie Results". mmanuts.com. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  29. "'Babalu' Sobral reacts to Metamoris match with Chael Sonnen: 'It was a monologue'". mmafighting.com. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Outside the Octagon". SHERDOG.com, by Loretta Hunt. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  31. "FOCUSED ON SOKOUDJOU, BABALU BREAKING FOR BABY". MMAWEEKLY.com. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  32. "Following Birth of Daughter, 'Babalu' Refocuses on Busy Fight Schedule". MMAFANHOUSE.com. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  33. "Gracie Barra Cerritos".
  34. "Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Awarded 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt". facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  35. "Still I Rise". YouTube. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  36. "Babalu Sobral Admits To CTE Symptoms". Fight Sports. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  37. "Hitman Fighting 3 MMA Event Results". 16 June 2023.

External links

Preceded byBobby Southworth 2nd Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
21 November 2008 – 15 August 2009 		Succeeded byGegard Mousasi
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champions
Categories: