PRO MMA (promma.info) was notified Monday morning from sources at M-1 Global that current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (32-8) is expected to face former DREAM Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1) at “Affliction: Trilogy” which will take place on August 1st at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Originally, a fight between former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort (18-8) and Mousasi had been in the works. However, disagreements between the two camps on what weight the fight would take place prevented the match up.
A formal announcement regarding the Sobral vs. Mousasi bout is expected to take place Wednesday June 3rd at the “Affliction: Trilogy” press conference at Trump Tower in New York City. Both Mousasi and Sobral’s name appear on the official “Trilogy” poster.
Mousasi, who is widely considered among the top five middleweights in the world, last fought on May 26th in DREAM.9’s “Super Hulk Tournament” where he defeated PRIDE heavyweight veteran Mark Hunt (5-6) just 1:19 into round one via armbar submission. Mousasi is on a 12-fight win streak.
Sobral’s last appearance inside the ring was against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) at “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” back in January. Sobral outclassed and ultimately defeated “The African Assassin” with a Brabo Choke submission midway through round two. “Babalu” is currently on a 5-fight win streak and is one of the few fighters in history to leave the UFC on a win.
There is no word yet at what weight the fight between Sobral and Mousasi will take place although it is assumed to be a catch-weight bout. It will mark the Armenian Mousasi’s first time to ever fight on American soil.
By: Jack Bratcher