Strikeforce "Destruction": Babalu's Elbow Ends Southworth's Reign

“Babalu” Renato Sobral (30-8) defeated Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Southworth (9-5) via TKO on doctor’s recommendation to win his belt at Strikeforce: Destruction Friday night in San Jose.

Sobral went in and clinched.  Southworth grabbed Sobral’s leg and managed to wrestle him to the mat.  Southworth in his guard, Sobral climbed up Southworth’s back in a triangle attempt, but Southworth stood up out of it.  They clinched at the fence, each fighter trying some knees and punches, until referee “Big” John McCarthy separated them.

“Babalu” crowded Southworth at the cage and threw a huge left elbow into Southworth’s face, causing sweat to fly.  The referee called a time out as blood started dripping out of Southworth’s right eyebrow with ten seconds left in the round, but allowed him to continue.

Despite a strong finish by Southworth in the final seconds, with the crowd cheering so loud no one heard the horn, the referee called the fight after the first round.