Originally Posted by MMAMania

Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral vs Gegard Mousasi in the works for Affliction: ‘Trilogy’


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It appears that a failure to agree on an appropriate weight class has shelved the rumored bout between Gegard Mousasi and Vitor Belfort at the Affliction: ‘Trilogy’ event, as M-1 Global today reports that Mousasi instead will remain at light heavyweight to challenge current Strikeforce 205-pound champion Renato Sobral on August 1.

Mousasi surrendered his DREAM middleweight title to focus on competing at a higher weight class. He is currently focusing on light heavyweight but has not ruled out a possible move to heavyweight in the near future.

Unfortunately Vitor Belfort recently abandoned the 205-pound division to compete at middleweight. Despite a strong desire by promoters and of course fans to see them square off, both men remained steadfast in their commitment to their new weight classes, effectively ending any chance of an August 1 bout.

The now-defunct deal has paved the way for one of the world’s top talents at light heavyweight to put his dirty diapers behind him and come back to the fight world against Mousasi.

Sobral was forced to withdraw from his first-ever light heavyweight title defense against former Elite XC superstar, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, at the Strikeforce: ‘Lawler vs. Shields’ event slated for the the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., on June 6, due to the birth of his child in late May.


Babalu has won four straight fights since departing from the UFC in late 2007, including a decision win over Mike Whitehead at Affliction: “Banned,” a submission win over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” and a first round technical knockout win over Bobby Southworth at Strikeforce: “Destruction” to win the promotion’s 205-pound strap.

He will need every ounce of that experience (and his jiu-jitsu chops) to stymie Mousasi.

“The Young Vagabond” (25-2-1) is fresh off a first round submission win over Mark Hunt at Dream 9 on May 26. Mousasi is riding a twelve-fight winning streak with victories over Denis Kang, Melvin Manhoef and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. 23 of his 25 wins have been either submission or (T)KO stoppages.

Affliction 3: “Trilogy” will feature a main event between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and top-ranked division player, Josh Barnett. Also in action, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia collides with former Strikeforce and UFC heavyweight striker Paul Buentello.