Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral Signs with Bellator

Bellator Fighting Championships has added another light heavyweight to their roster with former UFC and Strikeforce contender Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral joining their ranks.

Sobral signs with Bellator and will be a part of their upcoming light heavyweight tournament, kicking off on Spike TV in early 2013.

“Babalu is an awesome addition to the Bellator family,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “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 fans perspective, he’s incredibly exciting to watch, and I’m expecting big things from Babalu in January on Spike.”

Sobral is a veteran of more than 40 fights inside the cage, and has faced some of the stiffest competition the light heavyweight division has ever known.

“I’m really happy to be a part of the Bellator family,” Sobral said. “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.”

Sobral joins fellow former Strikeforce competitor Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal in the Bellator light heavyweight division with the next tournament kicking off in January next year.