Rousimar Palhares Signs On For MMA Return, WSOF Says Not So Fast

Although controversial former WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares is currently suspended until August 2017 for holding onto a fight-ending submission on Jake Shields at last year’s WSOF 22, that apparently isn’t going to stop the brutalizing grappler from at least attempting to return to the cage. A report has arrived from MMA Fighting today (March 22, 2016)

The post Rousimar Palhares Signs On For MMA Return, WSOF Says Not So Fast appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Although controversial former WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares is currently suspended until August 2017 for holding onto a fight-ending submission on Jake Shields at last year’s WSOF 22, that apparently isn’t going to stop the brutalizing grappler from at least attempting to return to the cage.

A report has arrived from MMA Fighting today (March 22, 2016) that Palhares has signed on to face Emil Meek at May 21’s Venator FC 3 from Italy. The promotion’s president Frank Merenda, who defended oft-troubled middleweight Jason Miller (another fighter preparing to fight for him) just last week, came back with the suggestion that Palhares has been ‘unfairly’ under fire for holding onto submissions too long:

“Rousimar is a great champion who has often found himself unfairly under fire for excessive holding [alleged or real] after opponents have tapped out. But anyone who knows him knows that he is a good guy who never wants to hurt anyone. He’s a hard worker, a serious and respectful guy who genuinely loves the world of combat sports. Above all, he has a real desire to redeem himself in front of everyone and show that he is not the “monster” that everyone talks about.”

rousimar palhares vs jon fitch

The proposed fight will supposedly serve as the Venator FC 3 main event and will be for the promotional welterweight title.

Regardless of the public perception of Palhares (which is clearly not good), however, the fact remains that he is suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) until August 1, 2017, and WSOF head man Ray Sefo said he is still under contract with them:

“If he takes the fight in May,” Sefo stated, “that’s a violation of his World Series of Fighting contract that is still active. He was suspended by the athletic commission but being suspended doesn’t mean you’re released from your contract.”

That would make sense, but Palhares’ manager Alex Davis apparently believes that they can do what they please and fight in Italy despite being the ones who were found in violation of the rules.

Jump to the following page to read his manager’s brash response to WSOF…

The post Rousimar Palhares Signs On For MMA Return, WSOF Says Not So Fast appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Strikeforce Deathwatch: ‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s Manager ‘Sure’ His Client Will Be in UFC Soon


(Exhibit ‘G’ in the murder case against Dana White and the Fertittas)

In spite of the fact that Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s stock in the heavyweight division dropped a few points following his knockout loss to Daniel Cormier in the semi-finals of Strikeforce’s heavyweight grand prix, his manager, Alex Davis is confident that his client’s next fight will be in the UFC’s Octagon.

“He has a contract with Strikeforce, but Strikeforce is now controlled by the UFC and we’re watching Strikeforce fighters going to the UFC all the time,” Davis told TATAME in a recent interview. “UFC’s heavyweight division is big, but they could have even more [top talent] and I’m sure Bigfoot will be in the UFC real soon. There’s a lot of great fights for him inside the Octagon, and he’ll shine there.”


(Exhibit ‘G’ in the murder case against Dana White and the Fertittas)

In spite of the fact that Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva’s stock in the heavyweight division dropped a few points following his knockout loss to Daniel Cormier in the semi-finals of Strikeforce’s heavyweight grand prix, his manager, Alex Davis is confident that his client’s next fight will be in the UFC’s Octagon.

“He has a contract with Strikeforce, but Strikeforce is now controlled by the UFC and we’re watching Strikeforce fighters going to the UFC all the time,” Davis told TATAME in a recent interview. “UFC’s heavyweight division is big, but they could have even more [top talent] and I’m sure Bigfoot will be in the UFC real soon. There’s a lot of great fights for him inside the Octagon, and he’ll shine there.”

Although the report went on to state that “nothing is official” yet in regards to Silva’s migration to the UFC, there must be a reason why Davis feels so strongly that it’s going to happen, whether it be a conversation he had with the UFC brass or rumors that are swirling amongst industry insiders. If Silva does jump over from Strikeforce, the move will be further proof that Zuffa has no plans to keep it’s “B” league afloat. Considering that Strikeforce’s biggest asset is arguably its heavyweight roster, if the UFC picks it clean like it did the promotion’s champions like Dan Henderson, Nick Diaz and Alistair Overeem, the writing on the wall couldn’t be any clearer.

Brazilian MMA Community Rallies Support After Deadly Landslides

Filed under: Fighting, NewsThe climbing death toll from the flooding and landslides in the state of Rio de Janeiro have made it the worst climactic disaster in Brazil’s history. So far, over 700 have died in the tragedy, with the cities of Nova Friburg…

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The climbing death toll from the flooding and landslides in the state of Rio de Janeiro have made it the worst climactic disaster in Brazil’s history. So far, over 700 have died in the tragedy, with the cities of Nova Friburgo and Teresopolis the hardest hit, losing over 270 people each.

The impact has been felt in the region’s strong mixed martial arts community. Nova Friburgo is the hometown of well-known MMA manager Alex Davis, along with UFC lightweight Edson Barboza, and other fighters including Pablo Popovitch and Marlon Moraes.

‘Bigfoot’ Silva Wants Fedor Emelianenko Next, Will Also Settle for Josh Barnett

Filed under: Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsWhen we last spoke to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, it sounded as though he was leaning towards booking Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva for the Strikeforce heavyweight title next.

But with Overeem’s …

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When we last spoke to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, it sounded as though he was leaning towards booking Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva for the Strikeforce heavyweight title next.

But with Overeem’s recent decision to compete in the K-1 Final 16 in October, it appears as though that won’t be happening after all.

As a result, Silva has now turned his attention to Fedor Emelianenko.

Silva, along with his manager Alex Davis, were guests on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour, and they let it be known that they were ready and willing to fight “The Last Emperor” next.

“I don’t think that the Overeem fight is going to happen right now because Overeem has already committed to K-1,” Davis said. “We’re hoping to fight Fedor. I think that’s a fight that makes sense. I think everybody wants to see it. We know that there have been historical problems with Fedor’s management, so right now, we’re waiting for Strikeforce to resolve them. I mean, we’d love to fight Fedor, but it’s like Antonio says, he’s not going to pick and choose opponents. He’s going to fight anybody they put in front of him.”

The MMA Hour Live With Huerta, ‘Mayhem,’ Lashley and ‘Bigfoot’ Silva

Filed under: DREAM, UFC, Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, Bellator, VideosAnother week, another live, jam-packed edition of The MMA Hour. Here’s who we have lined up for Monday’s show:

* Bellator lightweight Roger Huerta will stop by to talk about his…

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Another week, another live, jam-packed edition of The MMA Hour. Here’s who we have lined up for Monday’s show:

* Bellator lightweight Roger Huerta will stop by to talk about his non-title fight against Eddie Alvarez and his recent involvement in a Texas street-fight, which made headlines all over the Internet.

* Jason “Mayhem” Miller will make his first appearance on the show to talk about his upcoming fight against Kazushi Sakuraba at DREAM.16 and anything else on his mind.

* Bobby Lashley will give his first interview since his disappointing loss to Chad Griggs at Strikeforce: Houston.

* And Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva will update us on who he will be fighting next in Strikeforce. Silva will be joined by his manager Alex Davis, who also represents the likes of Todd Duffee, Rousimar Palhares and Jorge Santiago, and Davis will update us on the latest involving all his clients.

And of course, we’ll be taking your calls. Give us a shout at: 212-254-0193 or 212-254-0237.

Download this show and previous episodes of The MMA Hour on iTunes here.

Watch the show below.