Strikeforce Preview: Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi

Renato "Babalu" Sobral (35-8, 1-0 Strikeforce) vs. Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1, 0-0 Strikeforce)

The Story So Far: Easily the second most anticipated bout of the now defunct Affliction: Trilogy card Strikeforce successfully salvaged the bout and made it for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title. Sobral won that tile back in 2008 against Bobby Southworth. 

Renato Sobral had a long run in the UFC until he was kicked out of the organization due to his failure to release his choke hold after David Heath had tapped out. Since then Sobral is on a four fight win streak including a second round submission victory over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

Gegard Mousasi is considered one of the best prospects in mixed martial arts today. Besides winning 25 fights and being only 24 years old as of 11 days ago. While Mousasi is making his debut at 205lbs. he has fought at middleweight and heavyweight without losing a bout since 2006. Currently Mousasi is ranked as the #12 middleweight in the world according the USA Today/SBN Consensus Rankings. 

Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg coverage

Conventional Wisdom: Mousasi may have fought at heavyweight but Mark Hunt isn't exactly a top-ten fighter. How will Mousasi handle a top-ten 205er in his light heavyweight debut? 

Mousasi certainly has the edge in striking with over two times as many TKO's than Sobral has had in his entire career. If Sobral can withstand the onslaught of punches and turn this into a grappling match he will certainly have the advantage. 

WKR Analysis: This could end up being a Jiu-Jitsu match. Sobral is renowned for his submission skills but three of Mousasi's past five victories came via submission.  

Fun Fact: Mousasi was born to Armenian parents in Iran during the Iran-Iraq war of the 80's. He moved to Netherlands when he was four. Armenians are a different ethnic group that Persian the predominant ethnic group of Iran. For those unfamiliar with geography Armenia is a country in the Caucus Mountains...nevermind just look at this map. 

Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg coverage