'Babalu' Sobral on retirement: 'My body cannot continue to do this anymore'

If Renato Sobral has one regret about his final MMA fight, it’s that he couldn’t make his body do what it used to.

“Babalu,” a 16-year MMA vet who’s long been one of the sport’s most recognizable names, announced his retirement on Wednesday following a TKO loss to Jacob Noe at Bellator 96.

After the Spike TV-televised defeat, which saw Sobral battered but refusing to give up until the referee did it for him, the teary-eyed Brazilian discussed the disappointment and bittersweet feelings.

“It’s kind of highly emotional for me to talk about this right now, but I think maybe I’ve been in the cage more than everybody in this room here,” he said. “I lived the life. That’s what I want to say. I have no regrets. I was happy to help this sport grow.”

Sobral was a national wrestling champion, early MMA trailblazer in Brazil’s vale tudo shows, onetime UFC title challenger, former Strikeforce champion and two-time Bellator tournament participant. He’s fought for Cage Rage, Affliction and ONE FC, and he owns past wins over the likes of Mauricio Rua, Chael Sonnen, Robbie Lawler, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Trevor Prangley, among others.

The 37-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt closes out his career with a 37-11 record that includes 19 submission victories. However, he went just 2-4 in final six fights, which included Wednesday’s third-round loss to Noe.

“I’ll keep continuing to help the sport to grow, but I won’t fight anymore,” he said. “I wished for a good fight. I wish I could have been faster. I wish I could have been stronger than I used to be. But my body cannot continue to do this anymore, and it’s time for me to step out.”

Sobral said he felt rejuvenated when he signed with Bellator in 2012 and joined many of his friends and training partners on the roster. However, following TKO losses to Mikhail Zayats and Noe, his body ultimately couldn’t hold up.

“This is a sport that I love, and I wish I could fight longer,” he said.

Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney, the last major promoter to sign the veteran, sung the fighter’s praises after the event.

“He’s one of the rare guys who’s probably a better human being than he is fighter, and he’s done some amazing, amazing things in the cage,” Rebney said. “He’s fought for every organization on Earth. He’s beat some of the biggest names in our sport. He’s been an amazing ambassador for the game and an amazing face for the game.”

For more on Bellator 96, check out the MMA Events section of the site.