MMA - UFC - Bellator

Brazilian submission specialist Rousimir Palhares (14-3) added yet another leg to his mantel of dismemberment submissions at Saturday’s UFC 142. Talking on Mike Massenzio as part of the main card on PPV, Palhares needed just 63 seconds to force a tap and bring the hometown crowd to their feet.

What makes his victory impressive is that everyone, including his opponent knew his game plan heading into fight, yet it still happened in just over one minute. Palhares is one of those fighters that if you leave an arm or leg out there he’ll gladly take it home with him. Massenzio was the 10^th career submission victory for “Toquinho” and sixth via his personal favorite, brutal heel hook. Besides the heel hook, Palhares also holds two submissions via armbar, one with a kneebar and one oddball by rear naked choke.

Palhares has now won three in a row and six of seven to improve his UFC record to 7-2. He’s handled the mid / low tier fighters put in front of him thus far and is once again ready for a top middleweight opponent. The two other times Palhares has stepped up in competition he’s walked away with the only defeats on his UFC record.

The middleweight division is thin at the top with four of them fighting on this month’s UFC on FOX 2 card. Perhaps a fight with the loser of either the Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia bout or the Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz bout would be a good next test. No matter who it is though, they know what’s coming and better protect their limbs at all cost or Palhares will add another trophy to his Mantel.