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.