Update on Renato "Babalu" Sobral - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Gygax · 04-04-2007, 02:35 PM

After reading a recent interview with Shogun saying how he really wanted to match up with Babalu in the UFC to revenge his loss to him, I found another tidbit on Babalu's current status.

In a post over on Sherdog this afternoon, Cesar Gracie had the following statement.

Quote:

Here's some news on Babalu. He is moving to the U.S. in 1 week and will be cross training with Team Quest in Temecula and with Chuck Liddell in SLO. At some point we will have him back for sure.

That's some pretty good news. It would be a heck of a first UFC match for Shogun to attempt redemption against Babalu. I'm not one who jumped off the Babalu bandwagon after his loss to Jason Lambert. Training at Dan Henderson's place and then with Liddell before going up to San Jose is a pretty interesting combination.

RockemSockem · 04-04-2007, 02:41 PM

That is awesome! Just what Babalu needs to get back on the right track.

RebLMunkE · 04-04-2007, 02:46 PM

So he is going to work with Chuck ??

Thats sick cuz he needs stand up work and maybe he can help chuck with ground game also.....Plus team quest is owning right now he will have some good people around him.

Good to hear I still like Babalu a lot, He is kind of like Riggs to me LoL I don't care how many times he loses I'll still like the guy

Pitbull · 04-04-2007, 02:47 PM

Good news. I'd hate to see Babalu just disappear due to the couple of tough losses. Its good to see that he hasn't become discouraged and is still willing to do what it takes to improve his game. Brownie points for Chuck too for helping Babalu out.

Profane · 04-04-2007, 02:56 PM

if you cant beat em......

great move by Renato. cant wait to see him agian and if its agianst Shogun that would be awesome.

Gygax · 04-04-2007, 02:59 PM

This is one of the cool things I really like about MMA. You often have guys who are real stars helping each other out in different aspects of the sport through training together. Even when they were big rivals, the way Babalu and Chuck were just 8 months ago, they don't mind training together at a later time. DLH and Mosley just made big news in boxing by working together in preparation for DLH's fight with Mayweather, when its common practice in MMA.

I like the team aspect, not IFL style but training wise. Like Chute Boxe, ATT, Team Quest, AKA, BTT, MFS, etc. It reminds me of when the Kronk Gym and the Main Events camp was popular and successful in boxing.

Flying Triangle Choke · 04-04-2007, 03:18 PM

This is great news...its funny because me and my friend just the other day were talking about how we wish Babalu trained with better people. Hope it works out for him.

MTKrav911 · 04-04-2007, 03:19 PM

Agreed.

Should be interesting.

subgenius · 04-04-2007, 03:26 PM

I have always liked Babalu. I always will. The guy just strikes me as a cool customer. He's awesome in the ring or octagon (despite the last two losses). He seems fearless to me. He wants the best of the best to fight against. And, with this news, he wants the best of the best to train with (not that Ceasar Gracie is not among the best of the best, mind you). I still feel that, given proper training with a great team like TQ, Babalu has the tools and skills to beat anybody in MMA -- even Liddell.

Bomber · 04-04-2007, 03:40 PM

He's training with Chuck? Liddell better watch out, Babalu might sink in a choke and forget to let go. ;~))

Great news for sure that he's still in it and ramping up his training.

GeorgeXVX · 04-04-2007, 04:04 PM

good to hear... i would think he should have an interesting return

Greenman · 04-04-2007, 05:47 PM

This is the best news I have heard in a long time. Babalu is one of my fav fighters, and to see him training with Chuck and Quest will only make him better. Thanks for posting this, you made my Wednesday.

opsy · 04-04-2007, 06:21 PM

awesome news

team quest > silverback gorillas

Rush2814 · 04-04-2007, 07:37 PM

I'll make this as clear as I possibly can...Babalu + refined striking = pwnage.

With his ground game as elite as it is, his striking has always been questionable, even when he was dominating the striking aspect during a given fight. This was obvious in the way he sloppily attacked Chuck last August. It is great to see that he hasn't become dejected with his last 2 losses and is willing to put the work in to improve in the areas he needs to, and teaming with Team Quest and with Liddell should sccomplish that. I fear for the life of his next opponent.

KungFuGrip · 04-04-2007, 07:45 PM

I'm happy to hear from babalu. Does anyone know when he fights next? Probably to soon to tell. I totally agree on Babalu+ refine striking+Pwnage. Good stuff. War Babalu.!

sitnspin · 04-04-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

I have always liked Babalu. I always will. The guy just strikes me as a cool customer. He's awesome in the ring or octagon (despite the last two losses). He seems fearless to me. He wants the best of the best to fight against. And, with this news, he wants the best of the best to train with (not that Ceasar Gracie is not among the best of the best, mind you). I still feel that, given proper training with a great team like TQ, Babalu has the tools and skills to beat anybody in MMA -- even Liddell.

Where've you been?

Shpongled · 04-04-2007, 09:35 PM

Babalu rules. He's a got a real good menacing scowl. I really like fighters that look like they just want to rip your guts out, like Babalu, Wanderlei, Don Frye, etc.

It was sad to see Babalu get knocked out so hard by Lambert. And I was surprised that they showed him in the background after the fight wobbling around and being helped out of the ring by his cornermen. UFC usually doesn't show that sort of thing.

Huxley · 04-04-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrideOwnsUFC

This is great news...its funny because me and my friend just the other day were talking about how we wish Babalu trained with better people. Hope it works out for him.

I'm sorry, I keep trying to come up with an intelligent reply to your post, but I keep watching the GIF in your signature... I'm sorry, what was the topic?

Huxley

IrishRage · 04-05-2007, 12:13 AM

Anyone with a slight portion of common sense knows your only as good as the guys you train with , this is great news for babalu because his striking as always been his weak spot and going to team Quest and getting tips from Chuck will only help him in his future fights , and keep in mind he is only early thirties Chuck and Randy for a quick example truly peaked in there mid thirties.

RockemSockem · 04-05-2007, 12:45 AM

His striking and wrestling. He is a very good wrestler, but if you're going to rely on BJJ the way he does you need super duper amazing wrestling. The Pit and Team Quest are ideal choices. You go Babalu!