Mousasi vs Babalu

The Mousasi/Belfort weight impasse could not be worked out.

It's probably for the best.

Belfort's career has been reborn at Middleweight and a move up in weight to face a younger top prospect would have been a dubious decision. The answer to the dilemma turned out not to be Matt Lindland, as I thought, but instead Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

Mousasi and Babalu will most likely fight at 205 lbs., where Sobral currently holds the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title.

Babalu does not get the credit he deserves.

There are two reasons for this:

First, the Liddell highlight reel losses are what everyone remembers. No way to erase those from the public's consciousness.

Second, he beats who he's supposed to. It's kind of a backhanded compliment. Meaning, when he faces top competition, he loses.

Maybe this will be Babalu's moment to get a huge win.

Okay, maybe not.

Mousasi is a beast. He's better on his feet and can match Babalu on the ground. It's a very solid fight, though. I'm glad Affliction did not go with Lindland and possibly derail Mousasi's career with a boring split decision loss.

Affliction: Trilogy

Josh Barnett vs Fedor Emelianenko
Gegard Mousasi vs Renato Sobral
Dan Lauzon vs Chris Horodecki
Jay Hieron vs Paul Daley
Tim Sylvia vs Paul Buentello