The Past and Future 04.14.09: Rousimar Palhares
Posted by Robert Steele on 04.14.2009
This week, a belated column about UFC middleweight Rousimar Palhares. We look at his past fights and his upcoming prospected fight against Alessio Sakara.
Palhares made his UFC debut with a bang, beating MMA veteran Ivan Salaverry with a quick first-round armbar submission. Since his UFC debut, his only setback has been a loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 88, a respectable loss that went the distance. A fight between Palhares and Alessio Sakara is tentatively set for UFC 101 in Philadelphia.
The Past
Born in Brazil, outside of Rio de Janiero, Palhares grew up in poverty and worked hard to get to where he is today. He worked on a farm with his family during his upbringing.
In an interview with fiveouncesofpain.com he indicated that he began taking Karate at age 15, then moved on to jiu-jitsu at 18, due to jiu-jitsu's greater popularity.
With Brazilian Top Team he excelled to black belt under Murilo Bustamante. The rumours of the length of time it took him to earn his belt is about four years, but this is unconfirmed. If this is true, it wasn't a rush job since his skill level is unquestioned.
After a 5-1 pro career start -- including a victory by breaking Claudio Popeye's shin on the ropes -- he gained notoriety by winning the Fury FC Middleweight Grand Prix. Against Fabio Nascimento, Palhares showed his impressive BJJ. Often jiu-jitsu is about patience and knowing when is the best time to make your move. Palhares showed this in this fight. He took Fabio from behind in a clinch and waited patiently. Quick and unexpectedly, he rolled low and took Nascimento's foot, rolling to sink in the submission and get the win.
In the final of the Grand Prix against Daniel Acacio, Palhares worked from Acacio's guard, moving quickly down to the feet to apply another similar rolling heel lock for the submission victory.
His debut in the UFC at UFC 84, pitted against the veteran Ivan Salaverry. He dominated the fight, almost locking in a rear naked choke, but eventually won by an armbar early in the first round. The fight would be Salaverry's last; he soon after announced retirement.
The impressive debut gave him an opportunity to fight then struggling fighter Dan Henderson, who had come off back-to-back losses to "Rampage" and Anderson Silva. He was able to go the distance, but not enough to take the win from Henderson.
Against prolific fighter Jeremy Horn at UFC 93, Palhares got his win back. The fight teetered on the brink of stoppage several times, but it would instead end in a unanimous victory for Palhares.
The Future
With his height at only 5'8", it makes you wonder what "Toquinho" "Tree Stump" could do at welterweight. His superior BJJ makes him more than capable against larger opponents, however.
He is always ready. He has indicated that his training consist of a balanced schedule where he trains 2-3 sessions per day, every day of the week with exception of Sunday.
From a marketing stand point, he is a curious individual. He seems to indicate less about his personal life and let the myth develop on its own. His smaller stature tends to give him underdog status, and fans tend to favor him with all things being equal.
His next opponent is penciled-in as Alessio Sakara, likely at UFC 101. Palhares will come in as the favorite as Sakara has nine UFC fights to his credit, but a mediocre record of 4-4 with one no contest. Some of those losses being to mediocre fighters as well.
Palhares seems poised to be a top contender in the Middleweight Division. He may be only one or two wins away from another big fight.
