Brazilian middleweight powerhouse Rousimar Palhares is the latest native fighter to agree to compete in the UFC‘s return to his home country. The enigmatic athlete will take his two-fight win streak into a UFC 142 matchup with American Mike Massenzio.
The UFC confirmed the fight’s booking late on Tuesday night.
Palhares is coming off one of the stranger wins of the year in MMA in a decision over Dan Miller. In the first round of the bout, Palhares battered Miller on the ground to the point he believed the fight was over, then rose off the canvas and jumped on the cage to celebrate even though the fight was still ongoing. Referee Herb Dean had to talk him off the cage and back into the fight, and Palhares went on to win by decision.
That wasn’t the only lapse in concentration he’s shown in the cage. Back in a September 2010 loss to Nate Marquardt, he turned to the referee to complain about Marquardt’s slippery legs even as Marquardt went for and earned a TKO finish. Overall though, Palhares (13-3) has won five of his last six fights.
Massenzio (13-5) has won two of his last three, most recently defeating Steve Cantwell in a unanimous decision at UFC 136.
UFC 142 will take place in Brazil though the UFC has yet to make a host city and venue official, but it is expected to return to Rio, the site of UFC 134 in August.