Rousimar Palhares became one of the few fighters in UFC history to be immediately banned from the promotion despite a win.
Wrestler Rousimar Palhares' UFC welterweight debut didn't go to plan in October 2013, but the reason it didn't work out wasn't based on the outcome of the fight.
Considered one of the best submission artists in UFC history, Palhares gave his opponents headaches during his time in the promotion. Although he never fought for a UFC title, he was on the brink of title contention several times, beating the likes of Dan Miller and David Branch.
After an up and down run in the UFC, Palhares took on Mike Pierce for his first fight at 170 pounds in Barueri, Brazil. Palhares was the crowd favorite and wanted to make a statement in the cage after some back and forth between him and Pierce leading up to the night of the fight.
Palhares wasted no time getting the fight against dangerous striker Pierce to the ground, sinking into a heel hook in just 31 seconds. The problem? Palhares wouldn't let go of the heel hook when Pierce tapped, tearing into his opponent's foot and causing significant ligament damage.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Rousimar Palhares wasted UFC potential with a blatant foul
While Palhares' victory over Pierce remained intact despite the dirty tactics, UFC CEO Dana White didn't hesitate to fire Palhares after the win. Some felt that Palhares deserved a second chance in the Octagon after the controversy, but after similar situations earlier in his UFC tenure, White and the UFC permanently banned him.
Had Palhares unleashed the submission when Pierce tapped, he likely would have earned a post-fight performance bonus and been a key force in the UFC welterweight division. Following his UFC release, he captured the World Series of Fighting welterweight championship over Steve Carl months later and defended it against Jake Shields and Jon Fitch.
Coincidentally, Palhares' WSOF tenure would end similarly to his UFC stint. While trapping Shields in a kimura submission in the third round at WSOF 22, Palhares refused to let go after Shields tapped, resulting in Shields punching him as the fight was called off.
The WSOF cut ties with Palhares immediately after the Shields fight, abruptly ending his welterweight title reign.
Rousimar Palhares and Paul Daley are among the controversial UFC bans
Palhares went on to fight in promotions such as KSW, Fight Nights Global and ACA during his MMA career following his WSOF and UFC cuts. The now 44-year-old returned to the cage last March, losing by unanimous decision to Florent Betorangal at Kongs FC 2 in France.
Palhares isn't the only top name the UFC has immediately cut ties with due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The UFC immediately banned MMA legend Paul Daley after his cheap shot of Josh Koscheck after the third and final round at UFC 113.
Like Palhares, Daley competed in other promotions, but was labeled as one of the biggest “what if” promotions in UFC history.
If Palhares gets your heel, hope someone intervenes immediately to break the submission, otherwise the Brazilian could do heavy damage to your foot.
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