Henderson-‘Babalu’ Made Official for Dec. 4 Strikeforce

Strikeforce announced Monday that former UFC middleweight contender Dan Henderson will officially take on Renato “Babalu” Sobral in the main event of Strikeforce “Henderson vs. Babalu” on Dec. 4 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

A two-time Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling, Henderson (25-8) made his MMA debut in 1997. He went on to win his first nine fights, including a win over Sobral, before finally dropping a decision to Wanderlei Silva at Pride 12 in 2000. A founding member of Team Quest, “Hendo” made his UFC debut in 1998, notching wins over former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton and Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Allan Goes on the same night to win the UFC 17 middleweight tournament.

After departing the UFC for Pride, Henderson enjoyed a successful run in Japan, earning wins over the likes of current UFC heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Vitor Belfort. Henderson also avenged his loss to Silva at Pride 33, becoming the only man in Pride’s history to hold the welterweight and middleweight titles simultaneously. After a second run with the UFC, the Greco-Roman specialist signed with Strikeforce, losing a middleweight title bid to Jake Shields.

Sobral has won six of his last seven fights, losing only to current Dream light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi. An experienced light heavyweight, “Babalu” holds a professional record of 36-8, with 23 of his victories coming by either knockout or submission. A member of the Gracie Barra Combat Club, the Brazilian once competed for the UFC light heavyweight title, losing by first-round KO to Chuck Liddell after being caught with an uppercut at UFC 62. That marked the second time “Babalu” was knocked out by Liddell, the first coming courtesy of a highlight-reel “Iceman” high kick at UFC 40.

Sobral signed with Strikeforce in 2008 after being cut by the UFC for refusing to release an anaconda choke against an unconscious David Heath at UFC 74. Since joining Strikeforce, Sobral has defeated such competition as Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Mike Whitehead, and he is fresh off a win against former EliteXC and Icon Sport middleweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.

MMA newcomer and former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker will also fight on the card, though Strikeforce has yet to name his opponent. Walker won the Heisman Trophy for the University of Georgia in 1982 and went on to play in both the USFL and the NFL before retiring from pro football in 1997. The 48-year-old Walker holds a fifth-degree black belt in tae kwon do and made his MMA debut for Strikeforce in January 2010, notching a unanimous decision victory over Greg Nagy.