Will
10-02-2007, 03:38 AM
Renato “Babalu” Sobral, who was fined $25,000 and released from the UFC after refusing to break a chokehold on opponent David Heath at UFC 74, has signed with the California-Based Strikeforce organization.
The fighter made the announcement yesterday at the “Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion” show in Beverly Hills, Calif.
On Aug. 31 the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to withhold $25,000, the equivalent of Sobral’s UFC 74 “win bonus” (he earned an additional $25,000 to “show”). The NSAC voted to uphold the fine (but issued no suspension) last week.
After dominating much of the Aug. 25 fight, Sobral secured a fight-ending anaconda choke in the second round of his preliminary UFC 74 fight. However, after Heath tapped, Sobral refused to break the hold, even as referee Steve Mazzagatti tugged on his arm. Three to four seconds passed before Sobral finally broke his grip. Sobral told the sold-out crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center that he wanted to “teach (Heath) a lesson” for disrespecting him during the previous day’s weigh-ins.
Sobral (28-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) instantly becomes one of Strikeforce’s most-veteran fighters.
The organization hasn’t yet announced when the famed Brazilian grappler will make his debut with the organization.
The fighter made the announcement yesterday at the “Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion” show in Beverly Hills, Calif.
On Aug. 31 the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to withhold $25,000, the equivalent of Sobral’s UFC 74 “win bonus” (he earned an additional $25,000 to “show”). The NSAC voted to uphold the fine (but issued no suspension) last week.
After dominating much of the Aug. 25 fight, Sobral secured a fight-ending anaconda choke in the second round of his preliminary UFC 74 fight. However, after Heath tapped, Sobral refused to break the hold, even as referee Steve Mazzagatti tugged on his arm. Three to four seconds passed before Sobral finally broke his grip. Sobral told the sold-out crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center that he wanted to “teach (Heath) a lesson” for disrespecting him during the previous day’s weigh-ins.
Sobral (28-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) instantly becomes one of Strikeforce’s most-veteran fighters.
The organization hasn’t yet announced when the famed Brazilian grappler will make his debut with the organization.