Renato Sobral to defend Strikeforce LHW title against Rafael Cavalcante on June 6
By: James Iannotti
Strikeforce officially announced today that light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (32-7) has agreed to defend his title for the first time against former Elite XC superstar Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (7-1) on the June 6 card set to air live on Showtime from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Feijao — a training partner of UFC champion Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira — made a name for himself in 2008 fighting for EliteXC. He competed three times for the promotion, defeating John Doyle (KO), Wayne Cole (TKO) and finally Travis Galbraith (TKO) to capture the title last July at EliteXC: “Unfinished Business.”
All three of those wins were first round stoppages. In fact, Feijao has never been taken out of the second round in any of his six professional victories. The lone blemish on his record thus far for the 28 year old jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai stud is a disqualification stemming from an illegal kick to Marcio Cruz in a heavyweight bout at the IFL Las Vegas show in 2007.
Babalu has been on a tear as of late himself. The jiu-jitsu black belt has won four straight fights since departing from the UFC in late 2007, including a decision win over Mike Whitehead at Affliction: “Banned,” a submission win over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” and a first round technical knockout win over Bobby Southworth at Strikeforce: “Destruction” to win the promotion’s 205-pound strap.
Sobral is light years ahead of Cavalcante as far as experience in the cage goes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s more talented. Babalu certainly gets the edge on the ground with his vast jiu-jitsu knowledge, but Feijao has just as much of an advantage on his feet with the power and technique he possesses.
This should be a great co-main event fight for Strikeforce. There’s going to be a lot of talent in that cage on June 6.
Color me excited.
Headlining the event will be another champion vs. champion match-up as former EliteXC welterweight champ Jake Shields steps up to face the last reigning EliteXC middleweight title holder in a 185-pound affair.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more as the fight card starts to fill up.
59 Comments »
I am really lookinf forward to this card!!
Im a huge Babalu fan, too bad he went all banana Sandwhich in this UFC, hopefully he can get a second chance.
What happened to the Ortiz/Babalu match?
I read somewhere that they really dislike each other…
too early for Tito to come back and fight Babalu.. Tito needs a tune up!
Just curious, too early from what?
Has he fought since Lyoto?
Back surgery
I could see Tito/Southworth or Tito/F Shamrock for Tito Babalu…surprised however (despite my excitment) that Fejao is getting a title shot already
before Tito/Babalu ^^^^
Who cares about Tito. IMO, this is a much better fight, man.
Hell yeah this is a much better fight for definate. Feijao is a beast and Babalu is gonna have to come in with his extra tough suit for this or it could be a big upset in a lot of peoples eyes (not mine though as I think Feijao is gonna a huge force at LHW). Gotta give the experience edge obviously to Babalu though as he has had some wars over the years.
Woooo…can’t wait for this one.
By the way a little off topic but being the self confessed Fedor hugger that I am I thought I would share this HL for all those that haven’t seen it yet…..for me, hands down the best HL EVER!!! It captures the essence of the man perfectly.
http://vimeo.com/3059348
How do you know about Feijao?
@ Mexi ^
I looked up a video of one of his fights in Elite, I think it was against Galbraith, after I read about him on a post on here or somewhere else. Cant remember where it was exactly.
WOW, I was really looking forward to seeing Feijao back in action. If I had to hand pick his next opponent that is obviously not in the UFC, it would be Babalu. This is just a GREAT matchup and I am SUPER excited for it. WOWOWOWOWOWsers!
Of course experience edge goes to Babalu, but the explosiveness edge for Feijao will be an just as equal of a factor. Babalu does have great BJJ, but most people forget that he has a very solid wrestling background (competed at the national level). Feijao is going to want to keep this fight standing and try to KO Babalu. The biggest factor in this fight may just be Babalu’s wrestling vs Feijao’s takedown defense. Even if the fight goes to the ground, I believe that Feijao has good enough BJJ skills to avoid the submission. This is for sure a fight that I wil be betting on, and Feijao will open as the underdog. I must remember to check BoDog every single day so I can catch it the moment the odds come out because they have been having some out of whack lines when they first come out. (Griffin was -350, Kampmann opened at +145, Bisping opened at +300 against Hendo)
Ca$z, good find.
BNF, I know you were trying to trap me because of my Elite boycott. Come on, son!!! LOL
Mexi you can feel proud that you had a little part in there demise. And now you can watch him fight for Strikeforce, even Dana approves!
Did you guys see that Dana is on the MSN front page today regarding his “profanity laced and anti-gay slurs” he made to that female reporter. Apparently he made said comments in his blog for last nights fights!! I’ve been away for a couple days and missed what happened. They are painting Dana in a more negative light than a lot of us have ever done. This is why the blog was pulled from all websites.
I’m going to watch Strikeforce.
I still get death threats from the Shaw’s and Kimbo.
McArthur: GOOD!!! Its about time that idiot, grow up, show some class, and act like a professional. He wants to talk about the importance of fighters conducting themselves in a way that doesnt hinder the growth of the sport, but look at how he acts…Even Junie Browining is more articulate than Dana….does Dana think cursing, makes him sound cool….Every other word out of my mouth is a curse word, but you better believe that if I were running a billion $ company, I wouldnt be running around cursing, and acting a fool!
AS for this match up. I am a big fan of both fighters. Dont know who to root for but I know I will be betting on Fejao, because he will be a decent enough underdog. I adore Babz, but Fejao is the future….just so happens I think the Future stars June 6th. Fejao will make a statement. Its his official coming out party.
To me, this is one of the match ups that I am most excited about so far in 2009! Man I like the way strikeforce operates.
ca$z you wheren’t kidding that probally was the best fedor hl video ever.
My boy Feijao is gonna run a train on Babalu. Like me and john have been saying for a while if this fight was happens, it will be his breakout fight. He will win this everywhere.
NNR: Ya Damn Right Buddy!
Looks like on paper Feijao is a beast. Never had the pleasure of seeing him fight.
Sounds good.
Thank God someone in the Strikeforce promotion will be ACTUALLY defending the title and not taking a year to probably a year and a half plus to go and do some acting.
Cung will probably fight when it is 1.5 years since last fight, maybe longer….Horseshit. That is why you cant take this promotion as a serious one.
Also, who will Jake shields fight??????? And they call them WORLD CHAMPIONS??
BJ won’t defend for 1.5 years either… just so ya know.
lol pwnd!
Actually, I believe Stikeforce calls their titles, “Stikeforce Titles”
holy shit!!
what a great fight!!!
i think Babalu might die however.
this is a great fight, but experience wins out here. Babalu takes it.
CANNOT WAIT for Babalu/ Feijao!!!! Hey John, last week I posted Soko/Mouassi in Dream…heard anything else on that?
I read that Soko didn’t want to take the fight because he wanted “to get his career back on track”. In other words, he knows he will get his a$$ handed to him and he needs a W to boost his confidence.
really?? so he declined???
McArthur, this is what the rep from Team Quest said:
“It’s a big fight and it’s a tough guy,” said Sims. “Thierry’s really looking to re-build his career, so I’m not sure that’s a fight we really want to take at this point,” said Sims
hmmm…weak sauce if you ask me…they are claiming the glass is half empty as opposed to half full…assuming you will lose is admitting defeat before the fight begins!
BNF, who you like in the Babalu/Fejao??? Maybe we can agree for the 1st time.
yeah, I heard the same thing as BNF…That fight wont happen because basically Soko cant afford another loss in a row. Yeah its weak, but hopefully they get MOussasi a tougher opponent.
Down the line, i would like to see mOussasi would Tito’s ASS!
McArthur, I really like both fighters and it is hard to call, but I think Feijao is the future. He is a killer with tons of potential who trains with the best. Feijao by TKO!
Soko is doing the right thing!. time is on his side so i say slow down and let him get back on track..
I hope Babalu wins and fights Tito for the title, that’d be great for me as a fan and for Strikeforce!..
I think Babalu will lose here. I’m a big fan of Babalu, and I LOVED the Anaconda he put on Soko. I actually predicted that. Crazy. But I think Raf will overwhelm him. I hope Babalu wins though, but I predict him to lose. No bets for me…
Also, Mousasi would wreck ANY LHW outside the UFC. I want to see him face Lil Nog!
i agree rob, i thought he was crazy for fighting babalu, yeah he had a chance but really didn’t need another loss.he is young and needs to fight more often with a lower level till he builds up some wins,confidence, and cardio.
All I can say is NICE!!!
Oh yeah… Feijao FTW!
Haha nice!
OJR.. he had back surgery and needs to recover fully
I guess that means Babalu won’t be on the Affliction card?
Hope that’s his mother’s name on his chest, or else he’s a fool.
its his daughters
Check out the latest UFC news hosted by TUF’s Amir Sadollah only on SPIKE!
Babalu needs to get back in the UFC!
Would love to see:
Babalu vs Wandy
Babalu vs Quinten
Babalu vs Franklin
Feijao is going to own Babalu. Feijao is a BJJ Black belt with good TDD, and solid Muay Thai.
Babalu is…Barra Gracie BB, Brazilian Wrestling champ, with great boxing and a solid chin…
Despite the write-up and Feijao’s fight record, Feijao’s background is on the ground; Muay Thai is newer to him. This should be a good fight wherever it goes, but it will probably stay on the feet.
Feijao by TKO.
I know that. My opinion on his Thai was based on what I’ve seen from him in actual fights.
Anybody know any information on when tickets go on sale for this? I’m goin, and as soon as those tickets go on sale, I’m grabbin some.
Nevermind. I found it. Arpil 13th. Sweet!
I can’t wait.
I’m going to get ticket a.s.a.p.
awesome fight. can’t wait!
war babalu!
feijas has this one. babalu is overrated! people hype him up too much
holy shit does anyone else think feijao looks exactly like vitor belfort?
babalu by choke….experience wins this fight easily….now lets see some babalu ass kicking of tito next xmas !!!!