Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares

After all the controversy, UFC’s Mike Pierce finally addressed the heel hook that caused his defeat at UFC Fight Night 29 and  Rousimar Palhares’ termination from the organization.

Pierce spoke with The MMA Hour about Palhares as well as the incident.

“I felt it pop a couple of times, once in my ankle, and once in my knee, but the MRI is going to be the determining factor. I felt it [pop] after the ref was already on top of us and I was tapping the ref. So it was long after the fact.

I think it’s pretty clear, from almost everybody looking at it honestly, that he held onto it for too long. I have no problem submitting if I’m caught and there’s the potential of serious danger — that’s why I tapped to begin with, because I was caught and I wasn’t getting out of it. But to hold onto it to the extent that he did, there was no need for it. It was unnecessary. I was already giving up at that point, I knew I’d been caught.”

He got nailed for this in the UFC a couple of fights back. And even before the UFC there were problems with that in jiu-jitsu tournaments — and for Murilo Bustamante to come out and say it was a problem at American Top Team, there’s obviously a history of this guy holding onto leglocks and heel hooks much longer than he needed to. Whether it’s intentional or unintentional, it didn’t really matter.”

Toquinho após a vitória polêmica em cima de Mike Pierce no UFC Fight Night. Foto: Divulgação/UFC

Foram quatro minutos, oito tapinhas e uma polêmica interminável. Após vencer Mike Pierce com uma chave de joelho, no primeiro assalto, durante o UFC Fight Night em Barueri, em 9 de outubro, Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares viu seu contrato com Dana White ser rescindido por conduta antidesportiva.

Enquanto alguns espectadores e comentaristas viram de fato maldade do faixa-preta, ao menos dois professores de Jiu-Jitsu da família Gracie viram o lado do lutador demitido.

Via Twitter, Renzo defendeu Toquinho, na noite desta segunda-feira, 14 de outubro.

“Parabéns pela vitória, @ToquinhoMMA. Erro deles, acabei de ver a luta. Nossa luta é intensidade. [No MMA] não se pode largar uma finalização rápido… Uma pressão extra sempre”, disparou Renzo, que em outros posts defendeu o caráter do lutador. “Basta olhar para ele para ver que não houve maldade”.

Um leitor ponderou que Renzo dizia aquilo pois não era seu próprio joelho no arrocho. A resposta veio afiada e bem-humorada: “Se fosse meu joelho eu teria simplesmente virado para a direita para defender”.

Tio de Renzo, o professor Rilion Gracie foi além na defesa de Toquinho.

Para Rilion, há uma certa má vontade do UFC com finalizadores: “Concordo que ele deveria receber uma punição, mas nunca mais lutar no evento já é demais. E lutador que cai nocauteado e o outro não para e soca mesmo assim?”, disse ele, antes de completar: “Dana White não gosta de finalizadores. Basta ver as regras do UFC”.

E você, amigo leitor? Que punição você daria a Rousimar Toquinho?

Today, he has released a video with his version of the facts and his apologizes for what happened last Wednesday, at UFC Fight Night 29, in Barueri, Brazil.

The video has subtitles in English.

Rousimar Palhares is banned from the UFC

UFC’s controller Zuffa has released an official statement on the firing of Rousimar Palhares. Here it is:

As announced by UFC president Dana White, the UFC organization has elected to terminate its contract with Rousimar Palhares based on repeated incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct violating the UFC Fighter Code of Conduct and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC.

At UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MAIA vs. SHIELDS on October 9, 2013, Palhares won his welterweight bout against Mike Pierce via heel hook submission in 31 seconds. Pierce appeared to tap several times physically and verbally and the ref intervened physically before Palhares let go. Despite being the only submission win on the card, Palhares was denied the Submission of the Night bonus. Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik announced at the post-fight press conference that the local commission would be investigating the length of time that Palhares held the submission. 

The controversy is not Palhares’ first: In 2010, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission suspended Palhares for 90 days following his heel hook win over Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111 for not letting go after the referee stoppage.

In 2012, Palhares was again suspended for nine months after testing positive for elevated testosterone after UFC on FX 6.

Watch again Dana White announcing that Toquinho would not fight in the UFC ever again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYfe07LVDW4

ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap tweeted moments ago that UFC President Dana White confirmed to him during a TV show that Brazilian Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares is banned from the UFC.

The measure is a result of Toquinho’s repeated infractions, including last night’s holding for too long the heel hook he used to defeat Mike Pierce on UFC Fight Night 29, in Barueri, Brazil.

Both the UFC and Dana White’s official Twitter accounts retweeted Jeremy Schaap’s tweet.

Last night’s infraction had already cost Toquinho the prize for submission of the night.

Palhares was coming back to the UFC after a 9-month suspension due to a positive drug test for elevated testosterone levels.

Before that, Palhares had already been punished for holding on to a heel hook for too long.

GRACIEMAG is still waiting for an official position from the UFC and Palhares.

Watch the video of Dana talking about Palhares.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=TYfe07LVDW4

Rousimar Palhares is on his way back to the Octagon.

A welterweight match-up between Mike Pierce and “Toquinho” is expected to take place on the UFC Fight Night 29 card in Brazil, according to media reports on Tuesday.

At the time of this publication, UFC officials did not return requests from GRACIEMAG.com for confirmation of the bout.

Palhares (14-5) last competed at UFC on FX 6, a losing effort to Hector Lombard in December of last year. Following the loss, the fighter failed a post-fight drug test for elevated levels of testosterone and was subsequently suspended nine months by the UFC.

Palhares’ return will be his debut at 170 pounds.

Pierce (17-5) is currently on a four-fight win streak, with his most recent outing being a technical-knockout win over David Mitchell at UFC 162 last month.

UFC Fight Night 29 is headlined by Demian Maia and Jake Shields, and takes place Oct. 9 in Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil.

LanceNet.com first reported news of the match-up.

UFC Fight Night 29
Maia vs. Shields
October 9, 2013
Jose Correa Gymnasium
Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil

Demian Maia (18-4) vs. Jake Shields (28-6-1, 1 NC)
Erick Silva (15-3, 1 NC) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 1 NC)
Rony Jason (13-3) vs. Jeremy Stephens (21-9)
Thiago Silva (15-3, 2 NC) vs. Matt Hamill (10-4)
Fabio Maldonado (19-6) vs. Joey Beltran (14-8, 1 NC)
Raphael Assunção (20-4) vs. TJ Dillashaw (8-1)
Hacran Dias (21-2-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (11-6)
Iliarde Santos (27-8-1, 1 NC)  vs. Chris Cariaso (14-5)
Rousimar Palhares (14-5) vs. Mike Pierce (17-5)

Rousimar Toquinho já tem adversário para seu retorno ao UFC. Foto: Carlos Arthur Jr. / GRACIEMAG

Após a confirmação do retorno de Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares ao UFC, na edição do dia 9 de outubro, fontes indicam que o craque do Jiu-Jitsu já tem adversário agendado para o embate, realizado em Barueri. Mike Pierce será o oponente no retorno de Toko ao Ultimate, agora na divisão de meio-médios. As informações são do site Lance!Net.

Toquinho (14v, 5d), temido por suas finalizações no pé, vem de duas derrotas no UFC e não luta na organização desde dezembro do ano passado, por ter sido pego no exame antidoping após derrota para Hector Lombard. O faixa-preta, finalista da última edição do ADCC, lutava entre os pesos médios do Ultimate, mas retornará aos cages na categoria até 77kg, a de meio-médios.

Já Pierce (17v, 5d) é oriundo do wrestling e vem embalado por quatro vitórias seguidas na organização, sendo a última sobre David Mitchell, por nocaute técnico no segundo assalto, no UFC 162.

E você leitor? O que achou do adversário de Toquinho, personagem da coluna Bate Pronto da edição número #198 de GRACIEMAG? Confira como fica o card do evento e comente conosco!

UFC Fight Night: Maia vs Shields
Barueri, São Paulo
9 de outubro de 2013

Demian Maia x Jake Shields
Erick Silva x Dong Hyun Kim
Thiago Silva x Matt Hamill
Rony Jason x Jeremy Stephens
Raphael Assunção x TJ Dillashaw
Hacran Dias x Rodrigo Damm
Fábio Maldonado x Joey Beltran
Rousimar Toquinho x Mike Pierce
Iliade Santos x Chris Cariaso

Chad Mendes leaps in celebration after knocking out Yaotzin Meza. UFC publicity photo.

This Friday, in Queensland, Australia, half the fights on the card for UFC on FX 6 ended before regulation time was up. A bona fide knockout fest, the standouts of which were Ross Pearson’s win over George Sotiropoulos and Hector Lombard’s drubbing of Rousimar Toquinho.

Check out the pictures from the event:

[flickr set=72157632255579142]

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

December 14, 2012

Ross Pearson defeated George Sotiropoulos via TKO at 0.41 min of R3;

Robert Whittaker defeated Bradley Scott via unanimous judges’ decision;

Norman Parke defeatedColin Fletcher via unanimous judges’ decision;

Hector Lombard defeated Rousimar Toquinho via TKO at 3:38 min of R1;

Chad Mendes knocked out Yaotzin Meza at 1:55 min of R1;

Joey Beltran defeated Igor Pokrajac via unanimous judges’ decision;

Mike Pierce defeated Seth Baczynski via unanimous judges’ decision;

Ben Alloway knocked out Manuel Rodriguez at 4:57 min of R1;

Mike Wilkinson defeated Brendan Loughnane via unanimous judges’ decision;

Cody Donovan defeated Nick Penner via TKO at 4:35 min of R1;

Chad Mendes e seu salto mortal após nocautear Yaotzin Meza. Foto: UFC/Divulgação

O UFC on FX 6 rolou nessa sexta-feira, em Queensland, na Austrália, e metade dos duelos terminaram antes do tempo previsto. Um verdadeiro show de nocautes, com destaque para a vitória de Ross Pearson sobre George Sotiropoulos e para o cubano Hector Lombard, que acertou bons golpes em Rousimar Toquinho e despachou o brasileiro ainda no primeiro assalto.

Confira as imagens do show:

[flickr set=72157632255579142]

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

14 de dezembro de 2012

Ross Pearson venceu George Sotiropoulos por nocaute técnico aos 41s do R3

Robert Whittaker venceu Bradley Scott na decisão unânime dos jurados

Norman Parke venceu Colin Fletcher na decisão unânime dos jurados

Hector Lombard venceu Rousimar Toquinho por nocaute técnico aos 3m38s do R1

Chad Mendes nocauteou Yaotzin Meza a 1m55s do R1

Joey Beltran venceu Igor Pokrajac na decisão unânime dos jurados

Mike Pierce venceu Seth Baczynski na decisão unânime dos jurados

Ben Alloway nocauteou Manuel Rodriguez aos 4m57s do R1

Mike Wilkinson venceu Brendan Loughnane na decisão unânime dos jurados

Cody Donovan venceu Nick Penner por nocaute técnico aos 4m35s do R1

Ross Pearson comemora após bater o peso. Foto: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LCC via Getty Images

Nesta sexta, o octagon aporta em Queensland, na Austrália e o ginásio de Gold Coast Convention será o palco do UFC on FX 6. Os combates serão transmitidos pelo Canal Combate e começam às 21h, horário do Brasil. O GRACIEMAG.com lista as cinco lutas que devem levantar você, que é fã de Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Norman Parker vs Colin Fletcher

Esse combate será a final do peso leve do “TUF Smashes”. O americano Norman “Stormin” Parker (16v, 2d) tem experiência no MMA e soube usar essa vantagem muito bem dentro da casa. Norman treina na equipe de Jiu-Jitsu de Robert Drysdale, portanto sabe muito bem usar as quedas e aplicar a finalização. Já o compatriota Colin “Freak Show” Fletcher (8v, 1d) tem uma envergadura maior, sabe muito bem defender as quedas e deve querer manter a luta em pé para surpreender o rival.

Palpite: Norman Parker

2. Hector Lombard vs Rousimar Palhares

Hector “Lightning” Lombard chegou cheio de moral ao Ultimate, mas acabou decepcionando na sua estreia contra Tim Boetsch, no UFC 149, em julho, em luta morna. Agora o judoca cubano tem outra chance grande de mostrar seu valor. Já o mineirinho Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares precisa voltar a vencer e provar que é um dos tops da categoria. Será que Toquinho leva mais um pé para casa ou Hector derruba?

Palpite: Rousimar Toquinho

3. Chad Mendes vs Yaotzin Meza

Sempre de olho no cinto de José Aldo, Chad Mendes vem de vitória sobre Cody McKenzie pelo UFC 148, em junho, e iria encarar Hacran Dias, que se contundiu. Será Yaotzin Meza presa fácil ou seus socos podem complicar o boa-praça Chad?

Palpite: Chad Mendes

4. George Sotiropoulos vs Ross Pearson

A coisa não anda muito boa para o lado do finalizador Sotiropoulos, que agora enfrenta o bom striker Ross Pearson para tentar levantar a firma. Será que seu bom Jiu-Jitsu vai funcionar em casa?

Palpite: George Sotiropoulos

5. Robert Whittaker vs Brad Scott

Com apenas 21 anos  Robert Whitaker (9v, 2d) faz a final do peso médio do “TUF Smashes”. Dono de um bom muay thai,  ele quer derrubar o australiano Brad Scott (8v, 1d),  que vem de seis vitórias consecutivas e varreu todos os seus oponentes na casa do “TUF” para chegar até a final. Scott, exímio wrestler, deve tentar botar para baixo e trabalhar a luta no solo.

Palpite: Brad Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE2XZxjhEY

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

14 de dezembro de 2012

George Sotiropoulos vs Ross Pearson

Brad Scott vs Robert Whitaker

Norman Parker vs Colin Fletcher

Rousimar Toquinho vs Hector Lombard

Yaotzin Meza vs Chad Mendes

Igor Pokrajac vs Joey Beltran

Mike Pierce vs Seth Baczynski

Ben Alloway vs Manny Rodriguez

Brendan Loughnane vs Mike Wilkinson

Nick Penner vs Eddie Mendez

Ross Pearson celebrates making weight. Photo by Josh Hedges/courtesy of Zuffa LCC via Getty Images.

This Friday, the octagon touches down in the Gold Coast Convention Center in Queensland, Austrialia, where UFC on FX 6 will unfold. GRACIEMAG.com put together a list of the five fights you won’t want to miss on the card, if you’re a Jiu-Jitsu fan.

1. Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher

This fight marks the final chapter of the lightweight division from the TUF Smashes reality show. US national Norman “Stormin” Parker (16w, 2l) has MMA experience and knew how to use it to his advantage in the house. Norman trains at Roberto Drysdale’s Jiu-Jitsu team, so he’s plenty well versed with takedowns and submissions. Now, his countryman Colin “Freak Show” Fletcher (8w, 1l) has greater reach, good takedown defense and should look to keep the fight standing.

Prediction: Norman Parker

2. Hector Lombard vs. Rousimar Palhares

Hector “Lightning” Lombard was highly touted when he first joined the UFC fray, but ended up disappointing on his promotional debut against Tim Boetsch at UFC 149. Now the Cuban judoka has another chance to show his potential. Now, Brazil’s Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares needs to rediscover his winning ways to remain relevant in the division. Might Toquinho manage to take Hector’s foot home with him?

Prediction: Rousimar Toquinho

3. Chad Mendes vs. Yaotzin Meza

Still craving José Aldo’s belt, Chad Mendes is coming off a win over Cody McKenzie at UFC 148 last June and was set to face up-and-coming Nova União star Hacran Dias, who had to pull out due to injury. Could Dias’s replacement, Yaotzin Meza, be easy prey, or will he give Chad more than he can chew?

Prediction: Chad Mendes

4. George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson

Things haven’t been going too well for submission whiz Sotiropoulos, who now has to contend with the strike-savvy Ross Pearson in trying to right his ship. Could his Jiu-Jitsu serve him well at home?

Prediction: George Sotiropoulos

5. Robert Whittaker vs. Brad Scott

At just 21 years of age, Robert Whitaker (9w, 2l) is heading into the middleweight final of the TUF Smashes reality show. With solid Thai boxing, he will be looking for the knockdown on Australia’s Brad Scott (8w, 1l), who is riding six back-to-back wins and ran roughshod through all his opponents on the show in making it to the final. Scott, the masterful wrestler, should be looking for the takedown and ground and pound.

Prediction: Brad Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE2XZxjhEY

UFC on FX 6
Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Australia
December 14, 2012

George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson
Brad Scott vs. Robert Whitaker
Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher
Rousimar Toquinho vs. Hector Lombard
Yaotzin Meza vs. Chad Mendes
Igor Pokrajac vs. Joey Beltran
Mike Pierce vs. Seth Baczynski
Ben Alloway vs. Manny Rodriguez
Brendan Loughnane vs. Mike Wilkinson
Nick Penner vs. Eddie Mendez