World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Rousmiar Palhares carries a reputation into his title defense against Jon Fitch on Saturday night in Sacramento.
And Fitch admits he’s wary of his controversial foe.
Palhares is known as a leg lock master — and one who isn’t always sportsmanlike about it. The Brazilian fighter was cut from the UFC in 2013 after failing to release a heel hook following a win over Mike Pierce, his second such incident in the company.
“He’s known for, you know, kind of cheating, I don’t know how else to put it,” Fitch said during an in-studio appearance on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “In a way that hurts people and could possibly end careers. I think it’s crazy. It’s really unprofessional.”
Add in a nine-month suspension for elevated testosterone levels following a loss to Hector Lombard, and Palhares has given potential opponents plenty of reasons to steer clear. But Fitch said the chance to win a championship has outweighed his other concerns, and is essentially the only reason he’s agreeing to meet Palhares.
“He has a belt, he has what I want, and I’m going to take it,” Fitch said. “If there wasn’t a belt, I wouldn’t do it.”
Still, Fitch has a warning for Palhares in case he’s planning anything funny.
“If he wants to turn it into a street fight, I’ll turn it into a street fight.”