Breaking Down Strikeforce Henderson Vs Babalo: Hendo Vs Babalu

Added on Dec 03, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

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This is the second time Henderson and Sobral will face off, but a lot has changed in the last ten years. Both fighters have since fought on worlds largest MMA stage, they both have won belts, and they have both carved their own niche in the lore that is Mixed Martial Arts. The day is coming where the “new-breed” will take over in MMA, but right now we still get to enjoy legends like Sobral and Henderson fight it out in the cage. This will be a light heavyweight bout that will determine who will fight next for the championship.

The 36-8 Renato “Babalu” Sobral is one of those fighters who is floating between weight classes. He appears to be willing to take any fight between 205 and 185, as his last fight was a catch weight at 195 with Robbie Lawler. Babalu won by Unanimous Decision, and it was his only other fight of 2010. Babalu is one of these fighters who does a lot well, but doesn’t have any skills he really excels at. He was able to out strike Lawler in his last fight, and Robbie knows how to stand up with people, but he isn’t able to knock out or TKO many people. Actually, in his 36 fights he only has 5 ko/tko wins, and he hasn’t finished anyone with strikes since he finished Brad Kohler in 2001 (he beat Southworth for the Strikeforce LHW strap via TKO, but that was a TKO-doctor stoppage.)

Dan Henderson is coming off a championship fight where he lost to Jack Shields, via decision, and his only other fight of 2010. Dan looked horrible physically in my opinion, and the weight cut seemed to take a lot out of him. Prior to that, Henderson was riding a 3 fight win streak in the UFC before he left the organization, including a viscous KO of middle weight Michael Bisping, in one of the biggest pay per views in MMA history(where he received the KO of the night bonus.) Henderson, who represented the US in the 96′ Summer Olympic Games in Greco-Roman Wrestling, will have an advantage on the floor, but will probably have one standing up as well. Not having to cut 20 more pounds will probably do wonders for Henderson.

Babalu knows how to strategically win fights against people who are better then him, and he will probably have to do that against Henderson. Dan holds the advantage in the striking, and he also holds the advantage in the wrestling. Babalu is a Gracie black belt, and with 18 submission wins, he will have the advantage in BJJ. However, the bad news for Sobral is that Henderson has excellent submission defense, and he has only been subbed 3 times(Big Nogx2, and Anderson Silva.)

To be able to Sub Henderson, Babalu would have to land something significant on Hendo, and then move tot he finish. It would be a bad idea to try and roll on the ground with a Henderson who has all his wits about him. Sobral will have to hurt Hendo, and then swarm him, in order to get a stoppage win in this fight.

Henderson will most likely pick his punches carefully, and try to pick apart Babalu. As soon as Babalu gets comfortable in the pocket with Hendo, thats when Dan will take him down and pound on him. If Sobral happens to get back up to his feet he should expect the same thing to happen. Thats how i see this fight ending, either late in the third round Henderson will get the TKO from half guard or mount, or he will get the Unanimous Decision win.