Renato Sobral Vs. Gegard Mousasi: Experience Vs. Youth Collide

Gegard Mousasi has declared his fight against Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, Renato “Babalu” Sobral an all-out war. “Sobral is so tough. When he comes, he comes to fight,” says Mousasi, as he trains for one of the biggest challenges of his career.

Babalu Sobral ranks in the top 10 of light heavyweights and has been training since Mousasi was a newborn. Besides the 10 years difference in age and experience, Mousasi will have to contend with Sobral’s explosiveness and dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills in the ring.  Sobral, on the other hand, prepares for the power and athleticism that comes with Mousasi’s youth.

Although Babalu is well aware of the dangers Mousasi presents, he fully intends on continuing his current winning streak. “On the ground,” Babalu contemplates his possible advantage over Mousasi, “...probably that’s where I can take advantage (of him). Whatever it takes.”

“It will be a good test for me,” asserts Mousasi. “With Sobral, I will try to fight (a) stand up game. If it goes to the ground, I will take top position and work him over with my ground and pound.

"Sobral will have to watch out for my elbows; I want to use them in this fight. If I end up on my back, I can defend myself and eventually we will stand back up again.”

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Although he has other plans for the fight’s outcome, Babalu is ready for Mousasi to try to keep the fight on his feet and to adapt to whatever the fight may bring. Sobral (32-8), enters the bout as one of the division's most compelling fighters, with five consecutive wins.

Babalu is always ready to fight, saying he is “on the top of the wave” right now “waiting to drop.” And although he won’t reveal it in interviews, he has some tricks up his sleeve for his upcoming bout with Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi, who made the majority of last year’s “Fighter of the Year” lists.

But the seasoned Sobral is ready, bringing to the bout the same passion and ferocity he brings to all his fights, along with a tried and true game plan. “Whenever I see a space, I’m gonna push the fight,” Sobral states. “When he makes a mistake, then I’m going to finish.”

While all eyes will be Fedor vs. Barnett at Affliction: Trilogy, August 1, the co-main event between Renato Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi could very easily steal 'fight of the night' honors.