Babalu,Mousasi,and Sokoudju Set to Compete on DREAM's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix

[GOD]

For the first time in nearly nine years, Renato "Babalu" Sobral (35-8) is Japan-bound.

The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and UFC contender has signed a multi-fight contract with DREAM and will participate in the promotion's upcoming light heavyweight tournament, which is set to begin May 30 at DREAM.15.

Richard Wilner, Sobral's attorney and manager, confirmed the news Wednesday with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and said the deal was done with Strikeforce's blessing.

"The opportunity presented itself, and we've been asking to fight, and it seemed the soonest opportunity to fight is in DREAM," Wilner said. "The way we see it is we're representing Strikeforce in Japan."

Sobral's first-round tournament opponent has not been determined.

In January, DREAM announced plans for the light heavyweight tournament as part of seven events scheduled for 2010. However, officials did not confirm the tournament's start date, location or the number of fighters scheduled to participate (the total could be eight or 16).

Current Strikeforce light heavyweight titleholder Gegard Mousasi is a lock for the DREAM tournament, according to officials.

According to Wilner, Sobral is dead set on a rematch with Mousasi, who took his Strikeforce belt in 60 seconds in his most recent performance this past August at "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg."

"Taking nothing away from Gegard, it wasn't 'Babalu' in the cage that night," Wilner said.

On April 17, Mousasi defends the 205-pound title for the first time against Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal at "Strikeforce: Nasville."

Sobral recently began training for the tournament in his Gardena, Calif. gym.

"A lot of guys don't need to have hate in their heart to fight, but Babalu's thankful to Gegard for giving him back that hate," Wilner said.

Wilner said Sobral likely will return to Strikeforce in late summer against an opponent to be determined.

Sobral has not fought on Japanese soil since August 2001, when Fedor Emelianenko defeated him at "Rings: 10th Anniversary" in Tokyo.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/18348/rena...tournament.mma

Mousasi gonna pwn dem

[HALZION]

Q: how badass would it be to see minowaman in this tournament?

A: ALL OF THE BADASS.

he would collect two legs and maybe out-heart somebody FTW.