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By:Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Besides the main event of Fedor Emelinanenko vs. Josh Barnett on Affliction's third event, "Trilogy," they were also looking to have a showdown between Vitor Belfort and former DREAM Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi. That didn't come to fruition, however, with Mousasi claiming an inability to continue making the 185 lb. weight limit and Belfort refusing to move up for the fight.
But there's nothing to worry about on that front any further, as Mousasi has nabbed a new opponent for the August 1st event, Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Renato "Babalu" Sobral. The bout was originally reported on M-1 Global's homepage, and has since been confirmed by multiple reports.
Sobral was originally supposed to face Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante this Saturday on Strikeforce's second Showtime event, but with the event moving from May to June he with a new child on the way. He's expected to make his return to Strikeforce to defend his Title sometime shortly after this bout. Coming into this fight on a five fight win streak, including a victory over Sokoudjou on Affliction's second show in January, Sobral will look to keep that momentum against the ever impressive Mousasi.
Generally considered one of the best middleweights not fighting in the Octagon, Mousasi now has his sights set on the higher weight classes. He has won twelve straight bouts, including a submission victory over Mark Hunt in the "Super Hulk" tournament at DREAM 9 last week. This bout will be contested in the light heavyweight division.
Affliction: "Trilogy" airs live on pay-per-view from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, on August 1st.
Penick's Analysis: Mousasi v. Sobral is an awesome match up. This is one of the best middleweights in the world now trying to prove his worth higher up and he'll be taking on the Champ of the current number two organization. Sobral's shown that he's still got plenty left in the tank outside of the UFC and it should be quite a battle between the two of them on this third Affliction show. This is a case where Strikeforce conceded Sobral I'm sure for the payday he's sure to receive, and a win over Mousasi helps raise his stock further when he eventually defends his Strikeforce Title.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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