Renato Babalu Sobral vs Bobby Southworth Strikeforce title fight set for Playboy Mansion

by MMAmania.com on Aug 13, 2008 2:43 PM EDT

Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Southworth (9-5) will put his 205-pound strap on the line against Renato "Babalu" Sobral (30-7) at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on September 20.

The San Jose, California-based mixed martial arts promotion today made the showdown official for its encore show at Hugh Hefner’s legendary residence.

Southworth most recently outlasted Anthony Ruiz in a five-round fight at Strikeforce: "Melendez vs. Thomson" to earn a unanimous decision win back in June. The former contestant on season one of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has three wins in four attempts under the Strikeforce banner.

His lone loss during that stretch was against Ruiz because of a fight-ending cut.

Sobral recently defeated Mike Whitehead via unanimous decision at Affliction: "Banned" last month. The Brazilian is on a three-fight win streak since back-to-back losses to Jason Lambert and Chuck Liddell.

He actually redeemed himself within the organization in his next fight against David Heath at UFC 74: "Respect" in May 2007; however, he held onto a choke well after the referee waived off the fight, which resulted in Heath losing consciousness and Babalu losing his UFC contract.

Here’s what Babalu had to say about the upcoming title fight:

"He is the protector and I am the hunter. I am already in shape and prepared to take it from him. I want to be the new Strikeforce world champion and , if I could become champion while fighting at a venue like the Playboy Mansion, that would make a good win even better."

"Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion II" will also feature a middleweight showdown between Kazuo Misaki and Joe "Diesel "Riggs, as well as Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson against a soon to be named opponent that has to be named.

To check out the latest "Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion II" card and fight rumors click here.

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BABALU.. GRACIE BARRA BROTHA!!!!

by PhilQNY on Aug 13, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Phil do you train at a Gracie Barra school?

by NorthStar on Aug 13, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Southworth shouold just hand the title over to Babalu and not waste our time with this fight. Everyone knows he is getting choked out!

by john on Aug 13, 2008 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet Southworth is the one fighter who can’t get laid at the mansion.

by chefdaddy on Aug 13, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

When I was in Rio…I trained at Graice Barra.. under Marcio Feitosa..Today I’m in NY.. but I still rep GB72.

by PhilQNY on Aug 13, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Yo Phil, have you ever had the chance to spar with Babalu?

by TheNegation on Aug 13, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope.. When I was there.. I took just the BJJ classes.. 4 days Gi.. Fridays No gi.. Babalu.. We spoke a few times when I was there.. I met him after Babalu/Liddell part1.. He trains with the Uni Mar Gracie Barra Combat Team.. which are the MMA guys at GB.. He has an awesome ground skills.. and good work ethic.. I’m not going to front.. I would watch him train with the Uni Mar team.. I got to roll with some of those guys..but not babalu.

by PhilQNY on Aug 14, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Guys.. you know Babalu was tight at Joe.. for blowing up his spot.. and helping Renato sign his own pink slip with the UFC.

by PhilQNY on Aug 13, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

bobby southworth is still the a$$clown he was on TUF title or not

by Jake on Aug 13, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

At 39 yrs old Southwort’s best fight is when he accidently pushed James Irvin through the cage door for a NC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlOESywAotY

by THORAZINE on Aug 13, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Bobby Southworth, LMAO!!!! How weak is Strikeforce’s LHW division to have Southworth as champion?

by JV on Aug 13, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

well, they are fixing this. Le and Thomson are both two great fighters and Babalu as the 205 champ is definitely a positive step in them being a legit org.

by El dirte on Aug 13, 2008 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I personnally think Bobby Southworth. .was the dude who gave Dana White his first " SpikeTV " moment.. after Bobby lost a split decision to Bonnar. as he when his room.. Dana when to try and cheer him up a bit.. Bobby was tight and said.. " Dana I don’t need a F’n pep talk ".. Thats when Dana flipped on him.. until that point I do not recall Dana spasing outside the " Do you want to be a f#$%king fighter speech ".. I think after that Bobby incident Dana emerged.. as the personality we see today.

by PhilQNY on Aug 13, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

How the hell do you remember that??? The only thing I remember from that season is Leban pissing on that one dude’s bed… LOL.

by BNF on Aug 13, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I could recall alot of litte things like that… I’m weird… that was one incident that stood out to me. That was the 1st time for me.. I saw Dana..spazing on a fighter.

by PhilQNY on Aug 13, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

thought you guys might like this, couldn’t find the DW talk, but this is the best thing that happened during that season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyq4oOm95Ls

by linx on Aug 13, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

DAM! Diego was smashed!!! That was good linx, it reminded me why I hate Kos. And why I was glad to see Bobby lose against Bonner.

by JV on Aug 13, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I’ve never liked kos either, and this helps too :)

by linx on Aug 13, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO!!! Oh the memories… My hate for Koscheck has continued ever since that moment.

by BNF on Aug 13, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

great post LINX. diego was sloshed, and then someone in the background says “diego the aliens are coming” and diego starts swinging. LMFAO! we’ve all been there. southworht and kos with the water hose was classless. it had been so long since id seen season 1 i forgot alot of it. ken-flo was fat trying to fight at mw (all heart). southworth is only strikeforce’s champ cuz he was on tuf. babalu will be their next champ and southworth will fade ito “bolivion”. lol.

by b.w. on Aug 13, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I will never forget how big of a total F’ing @sshole that Kos and B-South were. I absolutely HATED them, and still do. Leben avoided the problem by sleeping outside and ……. ARGHHHHH!!!! It just makes me want to see both of them get KILLED!

Fans that came on board after season 1 of TUF don’t understand why everyone hates Kos so much. It doesn’t take much to figure out.

Also, I’d still love to see Kos not cut 30 lbs and fight against Leben at MW. Sure Kos would just go for the takedown followed by Lay N Pray, but at least each round would start standing and Leben would once again have an opportunity at payback.

by ViolentMike on Aug 14, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I understand Southworth was really upset, he should’ve said, “Thanks Dana I just need a minute”.. and gave him a Knuckle bump. Nowadays, Dana gives these guys more space after the fight.

by THORAZINE on Aug 13, 2008 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Soooo hypothetically if Tito signs with Affliction to fight in the November event would Babalu still be in consideration to fight him? What if babalu gets a serious cut or something and isnt medically cleared within 60 days?

by RiverHorror on Aug 13, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking the same thing myself. Perhaps Tito “jumped the shark”.

by Muscle Dolphin on Aug 13, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe we can see Tito vs little Nog.

by JV on Aug 13, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they more than likely changed their minds about Tito facing Babalu. Lol Tito would get out classed on the ground by Babalu and they can’t go letting their star lose right away

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Aug 13, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

according to another site, AFFLICTION and tito are no where near to signing a deal. tom atencio said that titos contract is not feasable and isnt close to what they are wanting to do with him, contract wise. all jacob has left is elite, and i seriuosly doubt they will be willing to put up the dough that jacob wants. this is going to end up being HUMILIATING for jacod “tito” ortiz. i said before the machida fight that i thought tito would end up in the wwe, now it might be tna. lol!

by b.w. on Aug 13, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Southwell is a piece of $hit. I hope Babalu destroys him, and then embarrasses Tito.

And I’m not even a Babalu fan!

by WB on Aug 13, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

I really hope that this Strikeforce event appears on BetUs because I don’t envision any way possible for Bobby Southworth to defeat Babalu.

And yes, this does seem like Babalu most likely isn’t fighting at the 2nd Affliction event.

by ViolentMike on Aug 13, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Babalu is working his ass off and Tito is still messing around with contract negotiations, so who knows about the Afflication fight.

by DSmith on Aug 13, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

OMG…this could be really bad for MMA…Babalu just might actually pop Bobby’s head clean off his shoulders.

by Drew on Aug 13, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

Bobby is a putz

by RandomTask on Aug 13, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

im guessing Babalu wont been on the affliction card then. He cannot fight within 30 days, its the law … its stupid but its true.

by Toad on Aug 13, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

great post linx! ive always disliked kos and that just shows his true colours what a waste of space! and southworthless is a real piece of work! babalu is gonna smash his face in and i cant wait!! WAR TIME BABALU!!!!!

by neon on Aug 13, 2008 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

a soon to be named opponent that has to be named.
hahaha nice one mma mania..

by coolguy on Aug 13, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

ha ha ha ha ha.

If southworth wins this one I swear to god I will eat my
laptop.

I believe anybody has a punchers chance in MMA and most times there is a reason to pair up fighters.

This is like the Uzbekians beating the Dream team in Olympic Bball.

Nice to know ya Bobby.

by Big Zino on Aug 13, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t wait to watch Babalu smash him.

by InsaneRide on Aug 13, 2008 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

how legit is an organization when the 205 champ has a loosing record. 9-5 is ridiculous this guy would not even make the scrub fights(undercard) in the ufc.

by day1er on Aug 14, 2008 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

9 minus 5 equals 4, not negative 4. Oh, you said loosing, not losing. Ok. I guess you’re right. His record is a little bit loose. It’s definitely not tight.

by UFCAddict on Aug 15, 2008 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Bobby Southworth is a wanker. Mental age 3, no real heart, a jerk of a ‘human’ being. Ex-school bully who picked on weaker kids. A total loser in life. Hits women too. Can’t handle his drink. Thinks he’s god’s gift but in his heart he knows he’s loathable in the first degree.

by JoJo on Aug 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions