UFC middleweight Dave Branch (8-1) knows that he’s facing a very tough opponent when he steps into the octagon this Thursday on the UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann card. At the Louisville, Kentucky event Branch meets noted Jiu-Jitsu ace Rousimar Palhares (11-3) on the preliminary card.
Branch, Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu trained black belt, enters the fight on a two fight win streak and an overall record of 2-1 in the UFC. His last fight was in December at the “TUF 12 Finale” where he earned a unanimous decision over Rich Attonito at the Las Vegas event. The other win was against Tomasz Drwal in September at UFC Fight Night 22, that victory was also by unanimous decision.
Branch admits that when he was offered the fight with Palhares that he was actually scared to fight the Brazilian, but wasn’t ready to turn down a fight with anyone. He knows just how dangerous Palhares can be and is prepared for whatever his opponent will throw at him.
“I was scared as s—. I’m serious. Nah, I was actually nervous. He’s very tough, but I’ve never turned down a fight and I never will. I just have to step my game up. I’m grateful the UFC has given me a guy that is very dangerous and has a good name because now I really get to see what I’m made of. A heel hook is a very dangerous move but it is escapable. A lot of times when he (Palhares) has injured guys they just kind of sat there. He grapples at a frantic pace and it can be very frightening when a guy like him grabs your legs. I can see why a lot of guys tap so quick because he’s going to rip their leg off. But you have to relax and do a proper escape. You can’t just stay there and panic because then your leg is going to snap.”
Read the full article with Branch at UFC.com