Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: 7 Important Questions About The Heat Vs. Celtics Series
MMA Fighters ›

Renato Sobral

Nickname Babalu Birthdate 09/07/1975
Height / Weight 6'1" - 205 Place of Birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Renato Sobral is best known by MMA fans by his nickname, "Babalu." A dangerous and well rounded fighter, the Brazilian has been in with many of the sports top names and has fought in almost all of the top promotions. After a fairly unsuccessful first run in the UFC that came to an end via a highlight high kick from Chuck Liddell, Babalu went on to win the one-night IFC tournament defeating Trevor Prangley, Mauricio Rua and Jeremy Horn.

The IFC win and a handful of subsequent wins in Cage Rage and Jungle Fight earned Sobral another trip to the UFC Octagon where he quickly earned a rematch with Chuck Liddell, this time for the light heavyweight championship. Sobral would come up short and just two fights later had an infamous moment where he refused to release a choke on David Heath after the fight ended and he was quickly released from the UFC.

Babalu now competes for Strikeforce where he is a former light heavyweight champion.

Renato Sobral Coverage

Babalu Sobral Goes OFF On Promoters, Saying 'No Money, No Babalu.'

by Ben Thapa from Bloody Elbow on May 12, 2012 4:53 PM EDT

In a video interview Renato "Babalu" Sobral goes OFF on Instinct MMA and ONE FC promoters, saying "No Money, No Babalu." Video from MMA Prime and quotes.

Asian MMA: Gregor Gracie Vs. Adam Kayoom Among 3 Additional Fights Booked For ONE FC 4

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on May 10, 2012 8:00 PM EDT

3 More fights have been booked for ONE FC 4 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Babalu Sobral vs. Tatsuya Mizuno Headlines ONE FC 4, Imanari vs. Issa Tapped as Co-Main Event

by Shaun Al-Shatti from MMA Fighting on May 7, 2012 2:27 PM EDT

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix finalist Tatsuya Mizuno, and Masakazu Imanari vs. Leandro Issa have been scheduled for ONE FC 4: Destiny of the Warriors, which is slated for June 23 at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asian MMA: Babalu Sobral vs. Tatsuya Mizuno, Imanari Vs. Issa Set For ONE FC 4

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on May 7, 2012 2:05 AM EDT

On ONE FC 4, Renato Babalu Sobral will take on Tatsuya Mizuno, and Masakazu Imanari will take on BJJ champ Leandro Issa

USA TODAY/MMA NATION April 2012 Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Apr 26, 2012 6:00 PM EDT

After an impressive showing against #3 Rashad Evans, #1 Jon Jones will set his sights on #2 Dan Henderson.

Asian MMA Update: Babalu Sobral Re-Booked For ONE FC 4, Pang Vs. Ando Set For Legend FC 9, URCC 21 News

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on Apr 24, 2012 6:36 AM EDT

Anton Tabuena of BloodyElbow.com provides updates on all the recent Asian MMA News.

USA TODAY/MMA NATION March 2012 Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Mar 29, 2012 6:00 PM EDT

Despite inactivity at the top of the division, our panelists have seen fit to move Dan Henderson ahead of #1 contender Rashad Evans.

Check Out Mayhem Miller On 'A Day In The Life'

by Beth from Gals Guide To MMA on Mar 19, 2012 5:19 PM EDT

Check out Mayhem Miller on 'A Day In The Life' from Morgan Spurlock.

USA TODAY/MMA Nation February 2012 Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Feb 23, 2012 6:01 PM EST

Next on tap for the light heavyweight division is the fight we've all been waiting for: #1 Jon Jones vs. #2 Rashad Evans.

Asian MMA: Victor Cui Talks About March ONE FC Event In Singapore

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on Feb 17, 2012 6:32 AM EST

Part 2 of the interview I had with Victor Cui this past weekend in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the CEO of ONE Fighting Championship talks about their 3rd event happening on March 31.

Asian MMA: Manhoef Vs. Babalu, Imanari Vs. Belingon Set For ONE FC 3 In Singapore

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on Jan 31, 2012 2:25 AM EST

ONE FC has announced Melvin Manhoef vs. Babalu Sobral, Kevin Belingon vs. Masakazu Imanari for their March show in Singapore.

UFC On FOX 2 Results: Is Chael Sonnen's Bark Beginning To Hide His Lack Of Bite?

by David Castillo from Bloody Elbow on Jan 30, 2012 3:00 PM EST

Chael Sonnen has earned yet another shot at Anderson Silva's crown. But did his performance in Chicago at UFC on FOX 2 inspire interest in fans?

UFC on FOX 2 fight card: Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping prediction, preview and breakdown

by Jason Probst from MMAmania.com on Jan 28, 2012 4:00 PM EST

A complete breakdown of the UFC on FOX 2 co main event fight between Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping, which takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 28, 2012.

USA TODAY/MMA Nation January 2012 Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Jan 27, 2012 1:18 PM EST

With his dominant victory over the veteran Vladimir Matyushenko, Alexander Gustafsson has finally cracked the top 10.

UFC on FOX 2 fight card: Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping preview

by Brian Hemminger from MMAmania.com on Jan 23, 2012 6:17 PM EST

MMAmania's Brian Hemminger takes a closer look at Saturday night's UFC on FOX co-main event between top middleweight contenders Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping. What's the key to victory for both mouthy 185 pounders? Find out inside.

Strikeforce: Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov Dissection

by Dallas Winston from Bloody Elbow on Jan 6, 2012 1:13 PM EST

Strikeforce: Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov Dissection (preview and analysis)

Renato 'Babalu' Sobral Signs With ONE FC

by Shaun Al-Shatti from MMA Nation on Dec 30, 2011 4:05 PM EST

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral (36-10) has signed with Singapore-based mixed martial arts promotion ONE Fighting Championship.

Asian MMA Update: DREAM NYE Weigh-Ins, Babalu Sobral Signs With ONE FC, Folayang vs. Teixeira on URCC Cebu

by Anton Tabuena from Bloody Elbow on Dec 30, 2011 8:46 AM EST

Anton Tabuena of BloodyElbow.com compiles the latest tidbits from the Asian MMA scene.

USA TODAY/MMA Nation December 2011 Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Dec 29, 2011 7:00 PM EST

#1 Jon Jones reaffirmed that status with a dominating submission victory over #6 Lyoto Machida earlier this month.

Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal - Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux Dissection

by Dallas Winston from Bloody Elbow on Dec 16, 2011 11:00 AM EST

Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal - Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux Dissection

Renato Sobral Opponents

Renato Sobral MMA Fights

MMA Nation

Sign up for our MMA Newsletter

MMA Blogs

OpenCalais - Powered by Thomson Reuters • Odds Shark OddsShark