The UFC’s October outing to Brazil has gained some star power in the form of Rousimar Palhares.
The fan favorite from Brazil makes his welterweight debut against Mike Pierce, the underrated wrestler from America with Chael Sonnen-like callouts of Palhares‘s home country. The fight takes place on Fox Sports 1 on October 9, though it has not been announced if this will be a main or preliminary card bout.
Palhares drops to 170 after falling in his last two outings at middleweight to Alan Belcher and Hector Lombard (both by knockout). The leglock specialist was once considered a contender at middleweight before his current losing streak, beating the likes of Dave Branch, Mike Massenzio and Dan Miller with ease.
As for Pierce, the Oregon-based fighter finds himself in the middle of a four-fight winning streak over the likes of Carlos Eduardo Rocha, Aaron Simpson, Seth Baczynski and David Mitchell. Many fans feel that his accomplishments have not been valued, seeing how successful he has been with the UFC and his placement being on the Facebook portion of cards.
This will be a wrestler vs. jiu-jitsu specialist fight. Both men’s striking has improved recently, especially Pierce, who has blasted Mitchell and Simpson with heavy knockout blows.
One would have to think that this is a do-or-die situation for Palhares, as the UFC has been cutting many fighters on losing streaks lately. Though he is popular and skilled, three straight losses would likely put his job and career in jeopardy.
As for Pierce, a win would definitely have to put him into contention. Palhares is the notable win he has been looking for, seeing as his only losses in the UFC have come to Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks and Jon Fitch.
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