Since UFC 61, most of the talk around the internet has been related to the Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell fight announcement. However, I think a good majority of the press is too quickly looking past Liddell’s fight with Renato “Babalu” Sobral. I just wanna take some time an dig into who Babalu is, what he’s has done in his career, and why I think he will beat Chuck Liddell and gain the UFC Light Heavyweight title in August at UFC 62.
Sobral is a Brazilian-born submission specialist and before joining the Gracie Barra Combat Team, he trained in Ruas Vale Tudo, a martial arts system developed by the legendary Marco Ruas. Unfortunately, to the American audience, Babalu is most remembered for his first fight with Chuck Liddel at UFC 40: Vendetta where he was knocked out by a vicious headkick from Liddell in the first round. That fight was way back in 2002, and since then Sobral has gone on a 10 fight winning streak.
It’s not just the nice winning streak that Babalu has built-up but the quality of fighter and domination he has shown over the course of his career that makes me believe in Babalu’s chances to defeat Liddell. As gruesome as Liddell’s kick to Sobral’s face was too look at, I think anyone is foolish base their analysis of the rematch on that one kick. Counting the loss to Liddell in 2002, Babalu has 4 other losses in his career to the following fighters: Kevin Randleman (2002), Fedor Emelianenko (2001), Valentijn Overeem (2000), and Dan Henderson (2000). That is a pretty impressive list. Yes, those are losses to the great Pride FC heavyweight champion Fedor, world-class wrestler Dan Henderson, and MMA veteran Randleman. Also, all of those losses, except for the Overeem fight, were decision losses. To last with Fedor, Randleman, and Hondo until a decision means you are a world-class fighter yourself.
Babalu has also defeated some top-level competition including victories over Trevor Prangley, Maurcio “Shogun” Rua, and Jeremy Horn ALL IN THE SAME NIGHT! Sobral is definately a submission fighter with more than half of his victories coming by submission. If he doesn’t submit his opponent, the fight will most likely go to a decision. Liddell, on the other hand, only has 1 submission victory early in his career back in 1999.
A key part of Chuck Liddell’s ability to defeat his opponents by knockout is his uncanny ability to prevent the takedown, and more importantly, stand-up almost at will when he is taken down. This will be a key factor in his fight with Sobral. If Sobral can take Liddell down and use his submission techniques to keep Liddell there, we will see a new champion.
Something to note is the fact that Babalu will be the focus of the next “UFC All Access” show on Spike TV airing on August 21 at 10 PM EST. The “All Access” show will follow the standard UFC 62 countdown show that Spike TV has been airing before each UFC PPV event. Why the UFC chose to highlight Sobral instead of their current champion Chuck Liddell I really don’t know. Liddell hasn’t been the focus of an “All-Access” show yet, as have other UFC champions including Rich Franklin and Andre Arlovski.
I’m curious as to what you think about this fight? Does Babalu have a chance or is the Liddell vs. Silva fight already a “guarantee”? Personally, I’m putting my money on Babalu this time. I think Liddell’s time has come.
Loading ...
To me this seems like the same kind of fight as when Chuck fought Horn. I think Babalu is as soild as it gets but then again when chuck hits people they go to sleep. I hope we get to see Chuck in some trouble in this fight so we can see if he is better than he was when Randy got him down in thier first fight. Once Randy kept comming and taking him down Chuck folded and was stopped. The last few fights for Chuck he throws no kicks or doesn’t want any part of the ground……… So I would still take Chuck in this fight but I still think Babalu is a tough tough fighter with a lot of skills.
Joe,
I agree with you. Chuck can beat anyone with a bunch, but we really haven’t seen him in a fight were he had to fight from his back. Randy did it to him the first time, and look what happened.
Pretty much any Liddell fight comes down to the same thing… can his opponent take him down and keep him there? I think Chuck’s streak has to end some time, and Babalu is just the man to do it.
I think Babalu has the ability to beat him, but one has to wonder if he has any chance of winning a decision with the Silva/Liddell fight on the horizon.
Rob
Babalu can definitely beat Liddell, but I still make Liddell the favorite.
He has solid wrestling credentials - a bronze medal in Greco at the Pan Am games (fighting above his weight class). Will that be enough to keep Chuck down?
The thing that separates Babalu from other wrestlers that Chuck has KO’d (Couture, Ortiz and Randleman) is that Babalu has very solid stand-up. So, mahybe with better stand-up he can work himself into position for a takedown.
Also, one last note. Babalu went the distance with Fedor in Rings - no closed fist punches on the ground. I think extremely highly of Babalu (and used to manage him), but there is almost no way he could go the distance against Fedor under Pride rules.
I’m not saying that Liddell won’t be the favorite. He definitely has to be the favorite and I would make him the favorite myself. And a good point about his fight with Fedor. I didn’t mean to insinuate that I thought Babalu could beat Fedor today under Pride or UFC rules. I do have some common sense, haha.
Liddell via 2nd round TKO. Nuff said.
[...] Jeff over at Whaledog and MMA HQ have more insight on the matter. MMA, Rants No Comments [...]
Babalu has definitely evolved as a fighter since the last time the two met. Since his defeat to Liddell back in…UFC 40?? Or something like that he’s been on a win streak. he’s had wins over such people as Shogun, and Jeremy Horn so he’s proved he can bang with the top of his division. But Chuck is still chuck, he’s got heavy hands, amazing takedown defense and an effective clinch. I’m hoping Babalu will win, b/c I love Brazilian fighters, and Babalu is the only real good Brazilian fighter the UFC has besides the new addition of Anderson Silva. But the only way Babalu can win is if it’s by KO, or submission. B/C of the Wanderlei/Liddell fight. There’s no way Babalu will win by Decision, or even TKO. They’re gonna give Chuck every chance they can for him to win the fight
You bring up a good point and another “hot topic” in the UFC… the judges. You gotta think that if it goes to decision and its anywhere close that Chuck will definately win.
Unless Babalu completely dominates 4 out of 5 or even all 5 rounds (which is VERY unlikely) then you gotta think that Abe Balardo and his cronies will give the decision to Chuck regardless.
It never occured to me until I read all the above comments how good Babalu really is. When I first heard about the announcement, I thought “Chuck beat him once, he’ll beat him again.” But you guys are absolutely right. Babalu has evolved as a fighter and I take back my first impressions. And to square off with Fedor, Shogun, and Dan Henderson, that’s impressive. It’s sort of like saying “….well, Belfort beat Silva back in 1998, he would beat Silva again.” But I don’t agree with that either.
Honestly, I’m not routing for Babalu, and my reason is really unfair ( I’ll be the first to admit it…) I really want to see Liddell vs Silva. That’s the only reason I want Chuck to win. Sorry Babalu. But with that being said, someone gotta teach Chuck a lesson. It would be awsome if Babalu submitted the iceman. Man that would be awsome……but where does that leave Wanderlei Silva in the UFC. I can’t see him fighting Babalu ( or would he…), I think Dana White has Wanderlei Silva for 3 fights ( I’m almost certain that’s what he said ). Thanks guys for giving me a different opinion of Babalu, he really do have a chance to beat Liddell, and he has really evolved as a fighter.
daDude
I am going with Babalu. He wants it more then last time which will make him train harder then ever. Ok fact when chuck is put in a spot where he can’t control the pace he get mad. Babalu control himself the whole fight not matter what is going on he stays clear headed. Second Chucks Punch are kind of wide throw straight punches and you will owen the stand up. Third Chuck I think is looking past Babalu a little he want the axe murder to much he need to focus on the crazy man in front of him in Babalu. So Yeah I think Babalu is going to walk away the champ it is going to be hard but I think he is up for the job.
I agree with the peanut gallery that Babalu has evolved since his last fight with Lidell. He definitely has a chance at victory this time.
But Liddell has evolved too. I think that one thing has been overlooked so far is that Lidell is an excellent wrestler and has been training hard to broaden his MMA capabilities to improve his submission defense. However, in his last several matches he has not had to showcase any of these skills because his takedown defense and stand up have allowed him to dictate the cadence of these fights. If Chuck is able to keep this fight a stand up, some how some way Babalu will go to sleep. If it does go to the ground Babalu definitely has the upper hand, but who knows how much Chuck has improved in this area? Perhaps he will be able to defend well enough against the submission to negate this part of Babalu’s game. Babalu has a shot, but my money is on Chuck.
the silva/liddell fight is not going to happen. too many variable have to be right for it to be a go. first, liddell has to beat babalu, not an easy task even thought liddell is the favorite. second, liddell has to come out of the match virtually injury free to be able to fight silva in november. third, silva also is fighting soon, and not only one fight, if he wins the semi finals he will have to fight again the same night in the finals. silva does not have to win either fight but like liddell, he has to come out of the fight(s) almost injury free to be able to fight liddell in november. considering who silva is fighting, i dont think he will come out in good enough shape to heal up and be ready to fight liddell.
i think the whole silva/liddell promo was a scheme dreamed up by dana white to hype up the mma world.
I think silva is gona lose Vs lidell, because Lidell is the king