Bellator signs Renato Sobral

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Veteran light heavyweight Renato Sobral has signed with Bellator Fighting Championships, the promotion announced Friday.

Sobral, who is recovering from a hand injury, is expected to make his Bellator debut in January as part of the promotion's Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament.

"(Sobral) is an awesome addition to the Bellator family," chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney said. "He's beaten some of the greatest fighters in the sport, and poses a tremendous threat to every fighter in our light heavyweight division."

A former Strikeforce 205-pound champion, Sobral has a professional mixed martial arts record of 39-7. He has wins over Mauricio Rua, Chael Sonnen and Robbie Lawler.

"This is my new home, and I can't wait to get into the tournament," Sobral said. "My only wish was that it could all be in one night, but I don't think we can do that, so I'll just put one more tournament under my belt, and I'm going to take this opportunity and get my shot at the Bellator world title."

Sobral claimed the Strikeforce light heavyweight title in November 2008 with a first-round TKO of Bobby Southworth.

He relinquished the title on Aug. 15, 2010, after getting knocked out in the first round by Gegard Mousasi.

In August 2006, Sobral attempted to lift the UFC light heavyweight title from then-champ Chuck Liddell. But his bid came up short when Liddell knocked him out in the first round at UFC 62.

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Franklin McNeil

Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts

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• MMA columnist for ESPN.com
• Analyst for "MMA Live"
• Covered MMA/Boxing for The Star-Ledger