UFC Live Prelim Shocker: Palhares vs Branch
The UFC Live card is well worth its cost especially after the Bisping fiasco we saw last week and it seems to be absolutely stacked from top to bottom with exciting fights. That could be the reason why a top middleweight fighter like Rousimar Palhares and an exciting prospect like David Branch don’t even make the main card.
Palhares is coming off a difficult loss to Nate Marquardt where he felt he was cheated due to “sweaty” pre fight legs but before the fact was rag dolling Marquardt around and controlling him with ease. Palhares has always been the dark horse of the Middleweight division with bone snapping submissions and power strikes he poses a top-notch threat to anyone on the UFC Middleweight roster.
Branch is a Renzo Gracie black belt in Jiu Jitsu who has won national championships and is underrated with his boxing but has shown great aptitude in all of his UFC fights. Palhares will have problems with the technical strikes from Branch that make up for the difference in raw strength that Palhares possesses.
Palhares earned his Jiu Jitsu black belt under two of the best in the world Murilo Bustamante and Bebo Duarte. Palhares is considered one of the best leg lock and heel hook specialists in the world by many top grapplers and once he secures it it’s a quick tap or a quick snap.
The key to the fight for Branch is to wear Palhares out standing with his quick movement and strikes. He should take the Diaz brother’s approach with punches in bunches and if it hits the mat early rely on his Gracie black belt to keep his legs free of injury. Palhares will need to scramble early and force his will with a takedown. His power is off the charts for that weight class and a quick submission would be his best route back on the title track.
In a battle of strength and brute force against technical thinking who will win, my take is that the fans will when they get to see this great fight on the fight night bonus reel.
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About the Author (Author Profile)
A college student residing in Arizona, coming off of active duty and continuing to work for the government. I hold a black belt in Hapkido, and have high school wrestling experience paired with multiple grappling tournaments. I spent six months training Authentic Muay Thai and now I am currently enrolling in Gracie B.J.J/MMA this week. I plan on starting my amateur fighting Career sometime late this year to early next year and also plan on entering B.J.J. tournaments through the year.Subscribe
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