Babalu unleashing one of his trademark kicks / GRACIEMAG.com archive photo
Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral is the latest fighter to sign on with One FC. The headmaster at Gracie Barra Cerritos, in California, should make his debut for the Asian promotion in March 2012, joining the card for the One FC/Dream show in Singapore.
With a storied career in the UFC, Babalu has won 36 of his 45 career fights and overcome the likes of Chael Sonnen, Mauricio Shogun, Kevin Randleman and Robbie Lawler. The Brazilian’s last appearance under the Strikeforce banner came in December of 2010, when he was knocked out by Dan Henderson in the first round.
An interesting partnership was recently formed between Singapore’s One FC, Japan’s Dream, as well as Filipino promotion URCC, Australia’s CFC and South Korea’s Road FC. For 2012, the plan is for the champions of each of the events to face off and unify titles, crowing the first Asian MMA champions.
