SAN JOSE, California — Strikeforce world light-heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth will defend his title against Renato “Babalu” Sobral at the Playboy Mansion September 20th.  

"He is the protector, and I am the hunter,” said the 32-year-old Sobral, a former UFC contender and Brazilian national wrestling champion. “I am already in shape and prepared to take it from him. I want to be the new Strikeforce world champion and, if I could become champion while fighting at a venue like the Playboy Mansion, that would make a good win even better.”

A student of Ruas Vale Tudo, the hybrid combat system created by MMA legend Marco Ruas, Sobral is coming off a unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead on July 19th.  The bout marked Sobral’s third straight win, a streak that he kicked off with his second-round submission of David Heath at UFC 74 on August 25, 2007.

“It was a good performance for me and helped prepare me for this championship fight ahead,” said Sobral.

The 38-year-old Southworth retained his title during Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” world championship card at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on June 27th.