Renato Sobral's 16-year mixed martial arts (MMA) career is over.
"Babalu" called it quits tonight (June 19, 2013), leaving his gloves in the center of the cage following a third round technical knockout loss to Jacob Noe in the Bellator 96 Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament semifinals, which took place at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Some fighters go out with a bang, Babs went out with a shove (see it here).
Sobral, 37, leaves the sport on a two-fight losing skid, unable to resurrect his struggling combat career under the Bellator banner. In fact, the Brazilian had won just twice in the past four years, bouncing from promotion-to-promotion with below average results.
His odyssey began shortly after intentionally choking David Heath unconscious at UFC 74 back in 2007, admitting that he was "teaching him a lesson" for calling him a "mother fucker." Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White was irate and released the popular fighter shortly thereafter, just two fights removed from competing for the organization's 205-pound title in a losing effort against then-champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 62.
"Babalu" would go onto compile a perfect record (2-0) under the Affliction MMA banner, as well as defeat Bobby Southworth to claim the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight belt. Gegard Mousasi, however, put a quick end to his reign via first round knockout in Aug. 2009, signaling the beginning of the end for the well-traveled jiu-jitsu specialist.
Good call, "Babalu." Thanks for the memories.