SAN JOSE, Calif. — There isn’t another fighter in the sport of mixed
martial arts (MMA) whose physical appearance coincides with his character more so than that of Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7). At 33 years of age, the Brazilian native and Jiu-Jitsu black belt has firmly ingrained in the minds of his followers a look and demeanor that, coupled together, amount to a pretty startling and somewhat scary individual.

Less than a week out from his long-awaited showdown with Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Champion, Bobby Southworth (9-5), a notorious rogue in his own right, Sobral is spewing words indicating his firm intention to humble the defending crown holder.

“Bobby called me out and I gladly accepted the challenge,” said Sobral. “
On Friday, the world will learn what Bobby already knows – that this was the
biggest mistake of his career.”

Over the years he has spent mastering his craft, Sobral has produced more
than his share of submissions. Given what seems to be a disproportionate
training schedule, leaning heavily towards western boxing, that he has maintained for this bout, though, all signs indicate that the challenger will attempt to keep the fight standing and let his hands fly.

“I’m going to be looking for the knockout,” said Sobral, who has been
putting in hours upon hours of work with former world championship boxing
contender, Justin Fortune. Sobral hooked up with Fortune shortly after relocating from Brazil to the Los Angeles area. “If I have to break my hand on his face, I will.”

Despite the tough talk directed at his opponent, Sobral is a man with a soft
side – especially when it comes to kids. At his brand new, state of the art gym in Cerritos, he is insistent upon instructing nearly all of the children’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes.

“It is important to me that they receive the best instruction possible so that they learn the fundamentals of this art,” he said. “I want to share with them something that has been a guiding force in my life.”

When the subject of conversation turns back to Friday’s showdown with
Southworth, though, Sobral becomes all business again.

“I will be a 100 percent and I’m going to push the pace. I will be very
aggressive in this fight."

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