Babalu Released from UFC

[QuieTSToRM33]

Renato “Babalu” Sobral has been released from his UFC contract after his behavior in the recent fight with David Heath as confirmed by UFC president Dana White during a media conference call earlier today.

Much speculation has gone into the possible punishment for Sobral after his actions in which he held onto a fight ending choke even after referee Steve Mazzagatti tried to get the fighter to release the hold.

Babalu may have sunk himself in an even deeper hole by making his post fight comments in which he stated he wanted to “teach him a lesson,” referring to Heath and their heated verbal exchange at the weigh-ins the day prior.

Continued ...

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...=4605&zoneid=2


Yes he held the choke longer than he should've ... but so did BJ to Jens.

Either way ... I believe there should've been some sort of sanction ... just not of this magnitude.

[soo2bhuge]

It's a shame that a great fighter like that does something stupid.

[Quil]

BJ didn't choke Jens unconscious...I think that's what ultimately did Babalu in.

[soo2bhuge]

There have been a few times where guys either held on too long or threw a few too many punches but I think with UFC becoming even more mainstream and especially with the whole steroid scandal going on, Dana and the commissions are trying to be a bit more tough. I agree that this is unsportsmanlike behavior but this standard should be applied to everyone from now on and I want to see how it'll play out.

[WHOADY4SHOADY]

There have been a few times where guys either held on too long or threw a few too many punches but I think with UFC becoming even more mainstream and especially with the whole steroid scandal going on, Dana and the commissions are trying to be a bit more tough. I agree that this is unsportsmanlike behavior but this standard should be applied to everyone from now on and I want to see how it'll play out.

Agreed.

[BAG0529]

There have been a few times where guys either held on too long or threw a few too many punches but I think with UFC becoming even more mainstream and especially with the whole steroid scandal going on, Dana and the commissions are trying to be a bit more tough. I agree that this is unsportsmanlike behavior but this standard should be applied to everyone from now on and I want to see how it'll play out.

Exactely, you need to win over the public. Anything those against the sport can point to which is negative, they will.

[ftony]

That's a strong message ...I guess a heavy fine would have been a problem considering the pay these guys get..

[test_cyp]

I finally seen this fight, and didn't think he held on that long. I don't believe that extra 2-3 seconds put him to sleep. BJ did the same thing to Jens as stated above. Very unfortunate that they let Babalu go.

[Jojoe]

That was a very bum thing to do. I personally think if ya go out of your way to hurt someone and make it personal you should be ready to deal with the punishment.

[Logan13]

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...=4605&zoneid=2


Yes he held the choke longer than he should've ... but so did BJ to Jens.

Either way ... I believe there should've been some sort of sanction ... just not of this magnitude.

If Babalu was one of the top-ranked fighters, he would still be there. Unfortunately, he has fallen to "filler-fight" status.

[abombing]

That's a little extreme, especially since the commission didn't even suspend his license for it.