"I’m just waiting this event of the 10th goes by so that I know when I’ll fight again", tells, explaining how he’s spending his days with no scheduled bouts. "Meanwhile, I’m helping Rafael (Cordeiro) on the trainings, I have my gym, Gracie Barra Cerritos, where I train my student, I have my family… I have a big group of kids I like to teach".
...
"For now I’m more an athlete than a teacher, but I’ll change once I stop fighting, and I’m getting there. Actually, now I’m like a novice teacher", reveals Babalu, pointing out the main reason for that conclusion: "there’re too many injuries (laughs)".
He also explains how his motivations in the sport have changed:...
"For now I’m more an athlete than a teacher, but I’ll change once I stop fighting, and I’m getting there. Actually, now I’m like a novice teacher", reveals Babalu, pointing out the main reason for that conclusion: "there’re too many injuries (laughs)".
"Adrenaline is addictive, but after you start enjoying teaching, seeing other people learning, improving, mainly on the work I do with the kids… Sometimes kids don’t have self-confidence, but after starting training Jiu-Jitsu it changes, and it’s so rewarding", explains.
Babalu hasn't fought since he was knocked out by Dan Henderson, and has competed just twice since he lost his Strikeforce light heavyweight title to Gegard Mousasi two years ago. But the 35-year-old (he'll be 36 on Wednedsay) is still a formidable challenge for any Strikeforce light heavyweight. Perhaps he could face the winner of the Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Yoel Romero fight that that's scheduled for September 10th?