Bellator Inks Ex-Strikeforce Champ Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral for Season 8 LHW Tourney on Spike TV
Bellator Fighting Championships on Friday announced the signing of former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral, who will make his Bellator debut in 2013 as part of the promotion’s next 205-pound tournament.
“I’m really happy to be a part of the Bellator family,” Sobral said in the official release. “This is my new home, and I can’t wait to get into the tournament...I’m going to take this opportunity and get my shot at the Bellator world title.”
Advertisement
“Babalu is an awesome addition to the Bellator family,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “He’s beaten some of the greatest fighters in the sport and poses a tremendous threat to every fighter in our light heavyweight division. From a fan’s perspective, he’s incredibly exciting to watch, and I’m expecting big things from Babalu in January on Spike.”
Bellator is currently nearing the conclusion of its 2012 Summer Series. The third and final event of the shortened season takes place Aug. 24 and will serve to crown the next challenger for reigning light heavyweight king Christian M’Pumbu when tournament finalists Attila Vegh and Travis Wiuff collide. Additionally, Bellator 73 will be headlined by a featherweight championship showdown pitting champion Pat Curran against Season 4 tournament winner Patricio Freire. Currently airing all programming on MTV2, Bellator will broadcast its live content on Spike TV beginning in 2013.
Related Articles