Babalu Sobral cut from UFC - {Now with VID!!!}

**bob** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 5:09am

NSAC Withholds Sobral's Win BonusFriday, August 31, 2007
by Sherdog.com Staff

The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Friday voted unanimously to withhold Renato Sobral's (Pictures) $25,000 win bonus following the Brazilian's actions last Saturday during his submission victory over David Heath (Pictures) at UFC 74.

Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the NSAC, stated at Friday's hearing in Las Vegas that he would not seek a suspension against the 31-year-old Rio de Janeiro native, though a formal disciplinary complaint has been filed. Sobral faces additional fines and a suspension pending a review by the commission.

During a preliminary bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 25, Sobral rendered Heath unconscious after locking the Tulsa, Okla. light heavyweight's neck in an anaconda choke and refusing to acknowledge a tap. Referee Steve Mazzagatti reacted by attempting to forcibly unlock Sobral's arms from the unconscious fighter until the hold was released some three seconds after the initial tap.

Following the fight, Sobral told UFC's Joe Rogan he intentionally held onto the choke because Heath, also 31, called him a "motherf---er" at Friday's weigh-in.

On Thursday the UFC announced in a teleconference with media that it had taken the unprecedented step of releasing Sobral due to his actions inside the octagon.

Appearing in front of the NSAC on Friday with his manager and attorney Richard Wilner, Sobral issued a short apology to Heath, and expressed remorse for hurting mixed martial arts in any way.

So he's gone for refusing to acknowledge the tap it seems. Certainly warranted some kind of penalty but ending his career? Not sure. Pretty low thing to do, no matter how bad you hate the guy but maybe just cutting his purse was enough. Brazilian ego FTL.

**bodar** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 7:28am

Seems as though they are making an example out of him. Zero-tolerance for the sake of the sports as a whole. At least no one will think of trying this from now on.

**SpringHeeledJack** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 9:33am

I think this is complete bullshit. I've seen several guys hold on to chokes too long and face no punishment whatsoever. I don't know if the bloody nature of this match just made it look a lot worse or what, but this is just ridiculous.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 9:40am

Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack

I think this is complete bullshit. I've seen several guys hold on to chokes too long and face no punishment whatsoever. I don't know if the bloody nature of this match just made it look a lot worse or what, but this is just ridiculous.

After watching the video I have to agree. The choke was not held on beyond reasonable, just enough to make him go night night: 2 to 3 seconds after the tap.

**kwoww** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 9:41am

Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack

I think this is complete bullshit. I've seen several guys hold on to chokes too long and face no punishment whatsoever. I don't know if the bloody nature of this match just made it look a lot worse or what, but this is just ridiculous.

It was the deliberate and malicious intent, which he admits.

It's good that they're making an example of someone. Although the guy who called him a ************ at the weigh-in should have gotten a penalty as well.

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 9:42am

The bullshit was him not recognizing the tap, and releasing the hold at the ref's request.....there's a lot at stake for mma, right now. The fighters who can't abide by the rules, especially ones like that (respecting the tap) where brain damage/limb breakage can happen, shouldn't be in the game. The UFC didn't end his fighting career, but he sure as hell ended his own UFC career. With lawmakers trying to ban the whole sport, who needs his bullshit? no one does, so though I enjoyed watching his fights, I'd rather him gone, than give some douche in Washington an excuse.

**El Neko** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 9:53am

Though I agree with the consensus that we don't need this kind of **** in order to make the sport more legit, we have to take into consideration the double standard shown in here, not a while ago BJ Penn held a choke on Pulver for a little longer even though the reff try to stop him, and I bet like that are many other examples of that happening. So IMHO I think it was a little harsh to kick his ass out of the UFC.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 10:04am

Originally Posted by Neko687

Though I agree with the consensus that we don't need this kind of **** in order to make the sport more legit, we have to take into consideration the double standard shown in here, not a while ago BJ Penn held a choke on Pulver for a little longer even though the reff try to stop him, and I bet like that are many other examples of that happening. So IMHO I think it was a little harsh to kick his ass out of the UFC.

Yup.:new_cussi

**SpringHeeledJack** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 10:09am

Originally Posted by Neko687

Though I agree with the consensus that we don't need this kind of **** in order to make the sport more legit, we have to take into consideration the double standard shown in here, not a while ago BJ Penn held a choke on Pulver for a little longer even though the reff try to stop him, and I bet like that are many other examples of that happening. So IMHO I think it was a little harsh to kick his ass out of the UFC.

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to get at. The fact that it was done with (admitted) malicious intent maybe deserves some form of punshment, but I think nothing more than fines or maybe a suspension. Kicking the guy out is taking it way too far.

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 11:39am

Originally Posted by Neko687

Though I agree with the consensus that we don't need this kind of **** in order to make the sport more legit, we have to take into consideration the double standard shown in here, not a while ago BJ Penn held a choke on Pulver for a little longer even though the reff try to stop him, and I bet like that are many other examples of that happening. So IMHO I think it was a little harsh to kick his ass out of the UFC.

I don't think BJ Penn, then said he did it because Pulver talked ****. If he had, he'd be setting himself up for the same treatment. Fighters don't always want to stop, that's understandable to most.... but anyone foolish enough to say they meant to hold on, just sucks for the sport.

The UFC did what they felt they had to, after he put himself out on the PA. In a fighting sport, the stakes are higher than most competitions. Refusing to heed the tap, is the most dangerous thing in the sport (the opponent is, by definition, already beaten and relatively defenseless). It was a business decision, and one I agree with.