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Bellator FC Bellator MMA (Bellator) is the 2nd largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the USA and the largest tournament-based MMA organization in the world. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, the company was formed in 2008 by Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. Bellator’s events are primarily structured around tournaments. The tournament winner is declared the number one contender in their respective weight class, and is awarded a check for $100,000 and a shot at the reigning Bellator champion. Bellator uses the motto “The Toughest Tournament In Sports” Bellator FC now airs on Spike TV Thursday nights!
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08-10-2012, 08:41 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Gabba Gabba Hey
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,361
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Bellator signs Babalu for Season 8
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After a flirtation in 2011, Bellator and Renato "Babalu" Sobral finally have hooked up.
Sobral (37-9 MMA, 0-0 BFC) is the latest addition to the Bellator Fighting Championships roster. The promotion on Friday announced the signing of the veteran to its light heavyweight roster, where he ie expected to be a part of the Season 8 205-pound tournament.
And though it's too late for a potential showdown between Sobral and former middleweight champion Hector Lombard, who has moved to the UFC, the promotion expects big things from its new signee.
"Babalu is an awesome addition to the Bellator family," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. "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."
Sobral in late 2011 was part of negotiations with Bellator, and the talk at that time was for a superfight against Lombard. The two trained together briefly earlier in their careers, where a rivalry and apparent rift began. But Lombard earlier this year left Bellator to sign with the UFC, taking that superfight now off the table.
Sobral has fought just once since a December 2010 knockout loss to Dan Henderson in Strikeforce, but that fight was a 31-second armbar submission win over Tatsuya Mizuno at ONE FC 4 in June. Sobral's resume includes a 6-4 record in the UFC, 2-2 in Strikeforce and 2-0 in Affliction. His losses have been to a who's-who in the sport, including Fedor Emelianenko, Henderson (twice), Chuck Liddell (twice), Gegard Mousasi and Kevin Randleman. His first loss to Liddell, at UFC 62, was for the light heavyweight title.
Over a nearly 15-year career, Sobral's wins include submissions of Chael Sonnen, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Cyrille Diabate, Travis Wiuff and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.
"I'm really happy to be a part of the Bellator family," Sobral stated. "This is my new home, and I can’t wait to get into the tournament. My only wish was that it could all be in one night, but I don’t think we can do that. So I’ll just put one more tournament under my belt, and I’m going to take this opportunity and get my shot at the Bellator world title."
Bellator's seventh season kicks off Sept. 28 with Bellator 74. It is not yet known if Sobral, who is recovering from a hand injury, will compete in Season 7 or will wait until Season 8, which also will be the promotion's first season on Spike TV. That season begins in January 2013.
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http://mmajunkie.com/news/30143/bell...-8-tourney.mma
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thanks for the sig, limba
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08-11-2012, 12:52 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,005
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Bellator just got 100% more AWESOME!!!!!
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08-11-2012, 02:14 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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KTFO
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 2,322
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Awesome, super stoaked to hear about this! Babalu use to be one of my favorite fighters and back in the day when he fought for the UFC title againist Chuck, I was one of the only people rooting my ass off for him. He sort of hit hard times since then, but I hope he can come back strong through the Bellator tournament.
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1. BJ "The Prodigy" Penn
2. Dan "Hollywood" Henderson
3. George "Rush" St Pierre
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08-11-2012, 07:10 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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The Recipe
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Estonia
Posts: 13,226
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Nice! Hopefully he'll rack the W's together.
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08-11-2012, 12:15 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Speed Kills
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,230
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He should do really well in Bellator. His last 2 losses were bad but they were against Hendo and Gegard. I think he will look great.
Sent from my iPhone using VerticalSports
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2013 FFL Team
Anderson Silva - Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza - Demian Maia - Dong Hyun Kim - Roy Nelson |
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08-11-2012, 12:50 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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The Recipe
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Estonia
Posts: 13,226
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HitOrGetHit
He should do really well in Bellator. His last 2 losses were bad but they were against Hendo and Gegard. I think he will look great.
Sent from my iPhone using VerticalSports
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My head starts to ache when i think about the Hendo loss. Those punches on the ground were brutal! |
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08-13-2012, 06:14 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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TheAbominableFlowman
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Phuket Top Team, Thailand
Posts: 4,079
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nice signing. Travis Wiuff and Christian M'Pumbu have some competition!!
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08-13-2012, 09:09 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Flyweight
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Posts: 400
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MagiK11
Awesome, super stoaked to hear about this! Babalu use to be one of my favorite fighters and back in the day when he fought for the UFC title againist Chuck, I was one of the only people rooting my ass off for him. He sort of hit hard times since then, but I hope he can come back strong through the Bellator tournament.
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I also used to root for Babalu in the UFC. The guy was title material and would of been champ if not for Liddell. I couldnt believe his running windmill punching gameplan for the second Liddell fight, that was suicide.
Would of been nice to see Babalu in the UFC again, he wouldnt be a contender but a solid gatekeeper. Babalu in Bellator however adds great elite competition and he could pick another belt outside the UFC.
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Bellator signs Babalu for Season 8
