Cage Religion: You're coming off a win over Robbie Lawler at a catch weight of 195 lbs. Do you plan on moving down to middleweight or back up to light heavyweight where you've spent most of your career?
Renato Sobral: While the weight cut to 95 went smoother than I imagined, I have no present intention of moving to middleweight as it is too small for me. I feel very comfortable at 195 lbs. and am optimistic that new weight classes will be created. Alternatively, I am happy to fight at a catch weight of 195, at light heavyweight or even return to heavyweight (where I began).
Cage Religion: Being as though one of your training partners, "King Mo" Lawal, is the current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, does that affect your decision of what weight class you'll fight at next?
Renato Sobral: No it doesn't.
Cage Religion: There is talk of a Strikeforce middleweight tournament in the near future to crown the next middleweight champion. If you decide to move down to 185 lbs, is this something that interests you?
Renato Sobral: If I were to move down to 185 lbs. this would be something that would interest me, but I have no intentions of doing so.
Cage Religion: After your last win at "Strikeforce: Los Angeles" you said you wanted a rematch with Dan Henderson. Are there any updates on this fight coming together? Where does it stand currently?
Renato Sobral: No updates yet, though I did hear Dan in the media a week or two ago indicating that he was agreeable to the fight. If I had it my way, Dan and I would be the main or co-main event on Strikeforce's next CBS card which I hope is in October. In any event, I'm hoping to fight Dan Henderson in October.
Cage Religion: You're training over at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California alongside "King Mo" Lawal and Fabricio Werdum. With the recent string of high profile wins you guys have had, do you feel that Kings MMA is the next "super camp" so to speak?
Renato Sobral: I'll leave the description of super camps to you guys. All that I can tell you is that my head coach, Rafael Cordeiro, is one of the best coaches in the world. Our camp, like other camps, is directed by a great leader, namely Rafael. The energy on and off the mats is beyond words.
Cage Religion: You've had over 40 professional fights in your career and have fought for the UFC, Affliction, and Strikeforce among others. What keeps you motivated at this point in your career?
Renato Sobral: I am a fighter at heart. It is not a sport to me. It is a choice and a lifestyle. My family motivates me to fight as does the need to pay bills.
Cage Religion: What has been your proudest moment in your MMA career thus far?
Renato Sobral: Fabricio beating Fedor.
Cage Religion: Speaking of that fight, you cornered Fabricio Werdum in his recent win over Fedor Emelianenko. Can you talk a little about the gameplan and the fight in general? Were you surprised that Werdum pulled off the win so early on in the fight?
Renato Sobral: This is what we trained for. And, Fabricio's win was more meaningful to me than any of my own personal wins. This goes to the energy I spoke of earlier. Our gameplan was to go for the submission when it presented itself. And, while I knew Fabricio would win, yes, I was surprised that it happened in the first minute of the fight.
Cage Religion: You've fought everyone from Fedor and Chuck Liddell to Dan Henderson and "Shogun" Rua. Is there anyone you've never gotten the chance to face that you would like to square off against?
Renato Sobral: There is but one. Tito!
Cage Religion: Before we get going, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Renato Sobral: Thank you for your support over the years. You guys mean a lot to me. Come check me out at my jiu-jitsu academy in Cerritos, California (babalubjj.com) or at the Affliction fight team at Kings MMA. See you in October (I hope), if not before!
