Renato Babalau Sobral joins the ranks of Bellator Fighting Championships
Posted on August 14, 2012, 02:38 PM by Mike Searson
Bellator Fighting Championships has just announced the signing of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Renato “Babalu” Sobral (37-9) to its Light Heavyweight roster. “Babalu” will make his Bellator debut in the Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament, which will air on Spike TV starting in January.
Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said via press release: “Babalu is an awesome addition to the Bellator family. He’s beaten some of the greatest fighters in the sport, and poses a tremendous threat to every fighter in our Light Heavyweight Division. From a fans perspective, he’s incredibly exciting to watch, and I’m expecting big things from Babalu in January on Spike.”
Still recovering from a hand injury suffered earlier this year, Sobral is anxious to get back in the cage: “I’m really happy to be a part of the Bellator family. This is my new home, and I can’t wait to get into the tournament. My only wish was that it could all be in one night, but I don’t think we can do that, so I’ll just put one more tournament under my belt, and I’m going to take this opportunity and get my shot at the Bellator World Title.”
With past submission victories over Chael Sonnen, Mauricio Rua and Travis Wiuff; Sobral will definitely bring a new level of excitement to the Chicago-based promotion.
Comments
Another known name added to the Bellator LHW division.
The division I always thought was their weakest is looking better and they have a new potential champ for the weight but as long as king MO is a Bellator LHW, Babalau isn't going to be getting any gold.
Bellator the new Strikeforce
Like Dsaucier said its looking like the new strikeforce, which while its been a stable promotion and it clearly growing with adding new talent, Babalau isnt really bolstering your LHW roster anymore, he's not in the UFC for a long time for a reason. if Eddie Alvarez leaves Bellator it will look just like Strikeforce adding UFC fallouts and all their new talent jumping to the UFC after establishing their record.
I think Bellator is really going to get a bump when they start airing on Spike, so many mma fans associated spike with mma.
He is not in the UFC because he purposely choked an opponent unconscious after a tap. He could still be there.
He's 6-2 since being release by the UFC, his only 2 losses against top competition AKA all he'd fight in the UFC, could he be there? yeah ofcourse I mean look as some of the other fighters kept around. BUT he's not going to be the face of an organization. I don't think he really helps much to the Bellator roster he could potentially hurt it though. how do they look if he couldn't win big fights in strikeforce and then he comes to Bellator and wins the tourny and belt and cleans house? it just would reflect the talent levels. all those are unlikely scenarios. just saying
Douche...
Did you clean up afterwards?
congrats on the demotion...
A fresh start. Being in Bellator is nothing to sneeze at. Sure he's not with Zuffa but Bellator pushes it's fighters to perform.