Renato 'Babalu' Sobral vs Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Affliction fight booked for 'Day of Reckoning'
by MMAmania.com on Dec 11, 2008 9:17 PM EST
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It didn't take long for the "African Assassin" to find a new home.
Affliction MMA today announced that it has picked up Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and will pit him against Renato "Babalu" Sobral in a light heavyweight attraction at "Day of Reckoning" at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on January 24.
Sokoudjou -- who burst onto the scene back in the Pride FC heyday with impressive knockout wins over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona -- was recently cut by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Team Quest-trained fighter struggled inside the Octagon, losing twice in three attempts.
He was most recently pounded out by Luis Cane in the second round at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" back in October. The talented Cameroonian striker and Judokan is just 24 years old. He has a tendency in recent fights to oured it on thick in the opening minutes of his fights and the fade fast as time elapses.
Sokoudjou will need to fix that if he has any chance of defeating the experienced and dangerous Brazilian.
"Babalu" was originally scheduled to take on Matt Lindland on this card at a catchweight of 195 pounds. That decision, however, was soon reversed when "Babalu" stopped Bobby Southworth a few weeks ago to capture the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship.
Lindland will now take on Vitor Belfort on the televised pay-per-view (PPV) card.
"Babalu" is fresh of a technical knockout win over Southworth in the co-main event of Strikeforce: "Destruction" from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., just last month. Southworth sustained a nasty cut over his right eye courtesy of a Sobral elbow. While he finished the round, the ringside physician would not clear him to continue, effectively declaring Sobral the winner and king of the Strikeforce light heavies.
"Day of Reckoning," which was originally slated to go down on October 11, 2008, before being postponed, will feature one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC title holder Andrei Arlovski.
Prior to the PPV broadcast, which will be produced and distributed by Showtime Networks Inc. in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, several fights will be televised on the HDNet channel.
In fact, a light heavyweight tilt between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir Matyushenko will headline the televised HDNet preliminary card that will serve as a lead in to the PPV event, which is slated to begin at 9 p.m. ET on fight night.
To check out the latest Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" fight card and rumors click here.
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This is a good addition to the card. I got Babalu by armbar.
by halljam2 on Dec 11, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions
I got babalu too, as long as he’s in shape, sokujo can’t beat him.
chef, how’s the new job?
brendan, we gonna watch the dec. 27th event together?
by kevin on Dec 11, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
I as well, Babalu by decapitation. Send this underachieving kid home to Cameroon!
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Dec 11, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
great fight. i say renato by tko, soko gasing out in the 2nd
by mikeybear on Dec 12, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
I’m going Babalu as well, the only chance Soko might have would be an early KO but if that doesn’t happen he’s going to sleep. Job’s keeping me busy kev, I get there between 530 and 6 and get off between 4 and 6. No time for gym at night and was worried I’d oversleep when I stayed up to watch the fights last night. They’re sending me to D.C. all next week for good ‘ol fashioned corporate training. If only I didn’t have to go to bed by 10, I’d get to enjoy the scene there (bars).
by chefdaddy on Dec 12, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
Since you are big on spelling I thought I would help you out. Sokoudjou.
by Bluepit360 on Dec 12, 2008 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
This fight is made for babalu if he shoots for doubles or singles. If he’s on the outside, Sok has more than enough power to snuff him out. But this news means my boy Lil Nog can clean up all his losses on his record.
by NameNotRequired on Dec 11, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
a fight is a fight….. doesn’t matter where they fight at are where they are from.And I am considere a “UFC nuthugger”?! All I want are interesting bouts….I can find entertainment in any realm of mma. Just so happens that Ufc is on top and will continue to stay that way.
by Psyqo78®™ on Dec 11, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yea cause as we all know if you aren’t in the UFC then your a no talent bum!!!
by mike22 on Dec 11, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
Not true…Have you heard of Fedor?
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Dec 11, 2008 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Fedor?? never heard of him!!
Sarcasm ever heard of it???
by mike22 on Dec 11, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
I actually think this adds something to the card, IMO.
by Robert on Dec 11, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions
Babalu will weather Soko’s initial storm of punches and kicks, Soko will gas, and Babalu will either submit him or tko him in the 2nd, just like Machida and Cane did.
by the_mexicutioner on Dec 11, 2008 10:07 PM EST reply actions
Pretty sick fight! This is a must win for Soko, but if it hits the ground its over. I can see Soko winning this fight, but he’ll have to end it fast and I hope he does.
Soko’s still young and has a bright future but if he keeps taking beatings like he has in the UFC he might not be around for long. Shit and I used to think he was gonna be the man to take over the p4p rank from Fedor…. shows how much I know.
by mmanutz on Dec 11, 2008 10:57 PM EST reply actions
he has a great future but he keeps fighting guys with so much experience, makes it hard for him to get a couple wins going
by Robert on Dec 12, 2008 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
Oh wow they put Nog and Vladimir on the undercard?
by zzz on Dec 12, 2008 12:42 AM EST reply actions
This is an awesome fight. A win for either of these guys would be huge:
For Babalu, coz its a win over a fighter that was very recently considered a Top 10 LHW.
For Soko, coz its a win over a very experienced a dangerous fighter, who’s been in the ring/cage with the best fighters in the world and who has a pretty decent record.
I’d love to see both these guys back in he UFC. It’s a shame that they’re fighting each other for that potential opportunity, and not other fighters. Although, I don’t see Dana welcoming Babalu back anytime soon after that stunt with Heath.
by HeroOfTime on Dec 12, 2008 5:52 AM EST reply actions
Babalu is a stud. How many times does he fight a year again? 10 ?
by Lester the Pimp on Dec 12, 2008 7:52 AM EST reply actions
Babalu by submission. The only hope for Soku was a matchup with Houston Alexander, which would have been an “immovable object meets an irresistible force” type of collision between two big one-dimensional punchers with poor cardio and limited experience.
by Graham on Dec 12, 2008 10:58 AM EST reply actions
This is a bad match for Sokoudjou, he has to start with less talented and experience fighters, babalu is going to run over him.
by Diego on Dec 12, 2008 11:06 AM EST reply actions
I wanna know if Ozzy is gonna play at the event. Or if any other performers have been rumored.
by Glenn on Dec 12, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions
This wont be a good fight. Soko is getting finished in this battle.
by enzo-enormous on Dec 12, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions
We have the same old situation for Soko, if he cant catch Babalu straight away then he has no chance. Babalu by Submission in the Rd 1.
by DownUnder on Dec 12, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply actions
I have to go with Babalu. Cause Soko has a really empty tank every time I see him. Babalu has more experience and seems more versatile. Soko has decent stand up but is still developing, Babalu by sub or tko 2nd round
by WTF on Dec 12, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions
Hahaha Tne Negation you suck! Sarcasm hahahahaha, you were overthrowed by a newbie poster hahahaha
by AntiNegation on Dec 12, 2008 6:16 PM EST reply actions
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