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  - BABALU FACES DISCIPLINARY HEARING
Friday, August 31, 2007 - by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com
Renato “Babalu” Sobral appeared before the Nevada State Athletic Commission this morning seeking the release of his $25,000 win bonus withheld following his UFC 74 submission victory over David Heath where he continued to apply an Anaconda Choke after Heath tapped out and referee Steve Mazzagatti attempted to stop the fight.
NSAC executive director Keith Kizer did not recommend a suspension, but a future disciplinary hearing was set and his win bonus still withheld.
Richard Wilner, Sobral’s manager, spoke on “Babalu’s” behalf. “I’m here to talk briefly about Mr. Sobral and issue my opinion, and as I believe it’s in the commission’s opinion of whether or not Mr. Sobral intentionally held that choke on his opponent, David Heath. The answer, absolutely not,” said Wilner.
“If you study the tape, which I’m sure you have, you may have noticed with approximately 2:32 left in the second round Mr. Sobral looked up at the referee essentially asking him if he was going to stop the fight. Why? Because Mr. Heath was losing a tremendous amount of blood from a cut opened on his head from an elbow strike. Again with 2:18 left, approximately, in the second round Sobral looked up again at the referee essentially asking him to stop the fight. Mr. Heath being a tough and respected opponent was able to get to his feet. That’s when the Anaconda Choke was set in.”
“I saw Mr. Heath tap on the TV screen. I looked back and forth between the cage and the TV screen. When watching the tape, I definitely saw him tap. Speaking with my client, he didn’t feel it which is understandable because Mr. Heath was in a weakened state. The referee tapped Mr. Sobral as well. He didn’t feel that either. When the referee, a split second later, put both hands on Mr. Sobral’s shoulder and shook his shoulder to release the choke, he did immediately.”
Wilner added, “As you know, yesterday it was publically announced that Mr. Sobral was released from his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s a father, loving husband, and he’s a professional fighter. He doesn’t have a day job and trains at night. This is the way he makes his living. This is the only way he makes his living. He has been punished enough for this unfortunate event.”
Sobral, who attended the proceedings, addressed the commission. “When he tapped, I didn’t feel it. I then looked to the referee, and he shook my shoulder, and then I let him go. I didn’t understand why this whole thing happened. I’m kind of surprised that it happened, the crowd booing me and stuff like that. I don’t know, maybe it was from the blood. I don’t know. I would like to say sorry to David Heath and the UFC for bringing trouble to my sport that I love a lot. There’s one thing that I know how to do in my life is be a professional fighter. I don’t have like a regular job.”
Wilner then explained, “Prior to this fight, Mr. Sobral had twenty-seven victories. Fourteen of those twenty-seven victories came by way of submission. Never, I repeat, never has he ever been accused of doing what he’s been accused of doing here today.”
Executive director Keith Kizer commented, “I think there was perhaps some intent here despite Mr. Sobral’s denial today, however I don’t think this rises to the level of some of the other things we’ve seen, Mike Tyson biting an ear, of some other attacks...I will not ask and have not asked this commission for any type of suspension. I don’t believe that’s in line, but it may be in line to do some sort of fine.”
The commission moved to hold a formal disciplinary hearing to further review the fight footage and evaluate Sobral’s post-fight comments. His win bonus is still being held until the future hearing where the commission will decided what action to take.
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