Belal Muhammad dominated Steve Carl for three-plus rounds Saturday night at Titan FC 38, claiming the welterweight title in the process.
Muhammad scored a fourth round finish from the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami. The event aired live on UF…
Belal Muhammad dominated Steve Carl for three-plus rounds Saturday night at Titan FC 38, claiming the welterweight title in the process.
Muhammad scored a fourth round finish from the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami. The event aired live on UFC Fight Pass.
Carl, a former World Series of Fighting champion and one-time competitor on The Ultimate Fighter, had no answer for the striking of Muhammad, who picked him apart.
In other action, Yosdenis Cedeno and Jason Novelli fought to a split draw, while Pedro Nobre defeated Sid Bice, Chase Sherman downed Jack May, Bruce Lutchmedial downed Pablo Alfonso, Caio Rocha topped Peter Petties, Jose Torres bested Reynaldo Duarte and Andrew Whitney defeated Cory Tait.
Belal Muhammad def. Steve Carl via TKO (strikes) at 4:07 of Round 4 to become Titan FC welterweight champion
Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Jason Novelli declared a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 29-29)
Pedro Nobre def. Sid Bice via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Chase Sherman def. Jack May via TKO (leg injury) at :56 of Round 1
Bruce Lutchmedial def. Pablo Alfonso via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Caio Rocha def. Peter Petties via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Jose Torres def. Reynaldo Duarte via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Andrew Whitney def. Cory Tait via unanimous decision (30-29, 30-27, 30-27)
Oh, what might have been.
On a spring night in Nevada, Rousimar Palhares latched onto the leg of World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl, heel hooking his way to victory in 69 seconds to become champion himself.
Few men are able to wi…
Oh, what might have been.
On a spring night in Nevada, RousimarPalhares latched onto the leg of World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl, heel hooking his way to victory in 69 seconds to become champion himself.
Few men are able to withstand Palhares‘ unconventional approach to combat, and Carl was no different.
Palhares, something of an enigma and long embattled for his continuous injuring of opponents in MMA and grappling matches, arrived at the top of the heap in a welterweight division. Unfortunately, it’s one where Steve Carl was the champion. It’s one no one who isn’t a hardcore fan would even see. It’s one that’s probably well beneath his considerable ability.
You see, the fine line of success for Palhares is one he’s blurred repeatedly. His leglocks are nightmare fuel for opponents, either because they’re nearly undefendable and will result in a loss without room for second chances, or because if he gets one in place it’s highly likely that he’ll let go when he’s good and ready—not when an official intervenes.
He’s left many a victim in his wake, a collection of guys hobbled because they didn’t tap fast enough, or because Palhares elected to hold on for a while after they did. It’s that attitude that cost him what could have been a real run in the UFC.
The world’s biggest promotion was his home for 12 fights between 2008 and 2013, 11 of which took place at middleweight. The stocky Palhares, nicknamed Toquinho for his likeness to a Brazilian tree stump, went 8-4 there in an almost comically kill-or-be-killed run: get a leg, finish the fight in seconds. Don’t, and get KO’d almost as quickly.
But it was his last fight—made so by a repeat offense of injuring an opponent seemingly on purpose—that raised eyebrows. Debuting at welterweight, he demolished the criminally underrated Mike Pierce in 31 seconds, snapping on a leglock and easily procuring a tap. And then another. And then another.
After the event, he was released from the UFC for ignoring those taps, a gesture that left Pierce hobbled. Despite some pleading and some contrition that certainly seemed genuine, he accepted his jettison to the nether realm and signed with WSOF.
Still, fans were left to wonder: If he did that to someone as well-respected as Pierce, what could he have done with more time in the UFC? Especially now, with no GSP and a bunch of closely clustered contenders jockeying for position?
It’s hard to say but fun to think about. With the division wide open and another year to get the weight cut down, Palhares might have fought one or two times since his last UFC appearance in 2013 and been in the title mix now.
Who wouldn’t want to see him against Demian Maia or Jake Shields? Or against Nick Diaz or Robbie Lawler? Or even someone ranked a little lower, like TarecSaffiedine or Gunnar Nelson?
Not to say he’d beat those guys, but wouldn’t it be fun to watch? The frantic race of Palhares trying to lunge on a leg and break it off (maybe literally), while better proper mixed martial artists try to fend off the most abstract attack in the game long enough to impose their will?
There’s no telling if it would be competitive, but it would damn sure be entertaining. And, that’s just as big a part of MMA as anything else.
Palhares is no martyr. He did some dumb stuff—repeatedly—and he’s paying the price with his ban from the biggest promotion in town. He’s landed on his feet by becoming a WSOF champion, but it’s hard not to wonder what might have been had the most intriguing part of his UFC run not been cut short so quickly.
Newly crowned World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares isn’t receiving much praise in light of his submission victory over Steve Carl at WSOF 9 Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Once again, many pundits believe that “Toquinho” held o…
Newly crowned World Series of Fighting welterweight champion RousimarPalhares isn’t receiving much praise in light of his submission victory over Steve Carl at WSOF 9 Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Once again, many pundits believe that “Toquinho” held on to a dangerous leglock for a little too long after his opponent tapped out.
However, World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo, matchmaker Ali Abdel-Aziz and Carl all believe that Palhares showed the utmost sportsmanship in this particular situation, per Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting.
“The submission happened right in front of Ali and I,” said Sefo. “I thought as soon as the referee told him to let go, he let go. So if you think that he held it too long, then you’re crazy,” Sefo said at the post-fight press conference.
Abdel-Aziz echoed that same sentiment.
“I think everybody needs to leave this kid alone,” said Abdel-Aziz. “He went through a lot already, and he’s a champ now. I think everybody should be congratulating him and praising him as a champ.”
Carl, who congratulated Palhares with a hug after the fight, also feels there was nothing controversial about the end of the title tilt.
“It all happened really fast, and the damage was done at that point. I got no ill will,” Carl explained, complimenting his Brazilian counterpart on the “extremely slick” transition to the inverted heel hook.
For those who missed Saturday evening’s championship bout, a GIF of the finish can be viewed here, courtesy of Zombie Prophet.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, who improved to 16-6 overall with the win over Carl, was banned from the UFC after cranking a heel hook on Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 29 in October.
This wasn’t the first time Palhares was sanctioned for being overzealous with a submission hold, as the New Jersey Athletic Commission suspended the 34-year-old for 90 days back in March 2010 after he excessively cranked a heel hook on TomaszDrwal at UFC 111, per MMA Junkie.
Palhares already has his first title defense booked, set to square off with former UFC title challenger Jon Fitch at WSOF 11 in July, also per MMA Junkie.
In an interview with MMAOddsbreaker last year, Fitch said he would turn down a bout with Palhares, the first time he’d ever decline a matchup in his nearly 12-year professional fight career.
Apparently, he has since softened his stance now that championship gold is on the line.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
Newly crowned World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares isn’t receiving much praise in light of his submission victory over Steve Carl at WSOF 9 Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Once again, many pundits believe that “Toquinho” held o…
Newly crowned World Series of Fighting welterweight champion RousimarPalhares isn’t receiving much praise in light of his submission victory over Steve Carl at WSOF 9 Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Once again, many pundits believe that “Toquinho” held on to a dangerous leglock for a little too long after his opponent tapped out.
However, World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo, matchmaker Ali Abdel-Aziz and Carl all believe that Palhares showed the utmost sportsmanship in this particular situation, per Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting.
“The submission happened right in front of Ali and I,” said Sefo. “I thought as soon as the referee told him to let go, he let go. So if you think that he held it too long, then you’re crazy,” Sefo said at the post-fight press conference.
Abdel-Aziz echoed that same sentiment.
“I think everybody needs to leave this kid alone,” said Abdel-Aziz. “He went through a lot already, and he’s a champ now. I think everybody should be congratulating him and praising him as a champ.”
Carl, who congratulated Palhares with a hug after the fight, also feels there was nothing controversial about the end of the title tilt.
“It all happened really fast, and the damage was done at that point. I got no ill will,” Carl explained, complimenting his Brazilian counterpart on the “extremely slick” transition to the inverted heel hook.
For those who missed Saturday evening’s championship bout, a GIF of the finish can be viewed here, courtesy of Zombie Prophet.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, who improved to 16-6 overall with the win over Carl, was banned from the UFC after cranking a heel hook on Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 29 in October.
This wasn’t the first time Palhares was sanctioned for being overzealous with a submission hold, as the New Jersey Athletic Commission suspended the 34-year-old for 90 days back in March 2010 after he excessively cranked a heel hook on TomaszDrwal at UFC 111, per MMA Junkie.
Palhares already has his first title defense booked, set to square off with former UFC title challenger Jon Fitch at WSOF 11 in July, also per MMA Junkie.
In an interview with MMA Oddsbreaker last year, Fitch said he would turn down a bout with Palhares, the first time he’d ever decline a matchup in his nearly 12-year professional fight career.
Apparently, he has since softened his stance now that championship gold is on the line.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl walks the walk.
In an age when fighters are quick to call out opponents on Twitter and engage in verbal sparring online without repercussion, Carl backs away from his smartphone and c…
World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl walks the walk.
In an age when fighters are quick to call out opponents on Twitter and engage in verbal sparring online without repercussion, Carl backs away from his smartphone and computer, buttons his big-boy pants and lives up to his status as the WSOF welterweight champion.
Nothing exhibited these traits more than Carl’s recent decision to accept a fight with UFC castoff RousimarPalhares, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a checkered history of cranking submissions well beyond the referee’s stoppage in fights, in practice and in grappling competitions.
Now under the WSOF banner, Palhares finds himself thrust into title contention, and he is set to take on Carl March 29 at WSOF 9.
Carl admits that he was not thrilled about this matchup, but dangerous fights come with the territory when one is champion, and he must accept all responsibilities and burdens that come with the shiny belt.
“He’s a bad matchup for me, and he’s a dirty fighter,” Carl told Bleacher Report. “But at the same time, I am the champion now, and I have to be willing to fight anybody.”
When Palhares‘ signing was announced to the public, one of the promotion’s top welterweights, Jon Fitch, boldly exclaimed that he simply would not fight the Brazilian ground ace.
Talking to MMAoddsbreaker’s Brian Hemminger, Fitch said, “It [a fight with Palhares] would be the first time in my career that I turned down a fight.”
Carl said that he felt the same about the prospect of facing Palhares inside the cage.
“I absolutely thought twice, and I’m 100 percent on board with Fitch,” Carl said. “I kind of wanted to jump on board with him [Fitch] and say, ‘I don’t want to fight that guy.'”
To Carl’s delight, he was initially offered a bout against Fitch, not Palhares, for his first WSOF title defense.
However, the promotion offered him that matchup in June, and Carl expressed interest in fighting sooner. He had snagged the belt from Josh Burkman at WSOF 6 in October 2013, and he wished to stay active and keep in the groove of fighting every few months.
June was just too far away, and the WSOF brass reassembled, whipped up a plan and offered their champ a new fight.
Palhares.
Despite his initial reluctance, Carl said yes, and the WSOF 9 main event was booked.
“I’m the champion now, and I have to be willing to fight anybody,” Carl said. “When they offered me that fight, regardless, if I beat Fitch, I’m going to have to fight him [Palhares] anyway. Besides, I was requesting to fight sooner, and that’s what they offered me.”
The welterweight titleholder said that he does not have a strict game plan heading into this bout with Palhares. Rather than fearing his opponent’s strengths on the ground, he is focusing on what he can do and where he can impose his will.
And there’s one area in particular where Carl feels he holds a significant advantage.
“I would definitely like to use my hands,” Carl said. “If he gets a little too confident and sticks his head out there a little too far, I think I can put him to sleep.”
Should Carl seize victory at WSOF 9 and emerge unscathed, a fight with Jon Fitch looms in July.
This is a fight that Carl has already thought about, and it’s one that he eagerly anticipates.
“I have to go through Palhares to get it, but I think I match up really well with Fitch,” Carl said. “I think it’d be not only a good win, but it’d be a hard-fought fight. It’d be action-packed, and everyone would love watching it.”
For now, a limb-snatching, Hulk of a man who goes by “Toquinho” stands in Carl’s path. It’s not a fight that the WSOF champion awaits with the same giddiness that he feels for a showdown with Fitch, but it’s part of his job.
World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl walks the walk.
In an age when fighters are quick to call out opponents on Twitter and engage in verbal sparring online without repercussion, Carl backs away from his smartphone and c…
World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Steve Carl walks the walk.
In an age when fighters are quick to call out opponents on Twitter and engage in verbal sparring online without repercussion, Carl backs away from his smartphone and computer, buttons his big-boy pants and lives up to his status as the WSOF welterweight champion.
Nothing exhibited these traits more than Carl’s recent decision to accept a fight with UFC castoff RousimarPalhares, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a checkered history of cranking submissions well beyond the referee’s stoppage in fights, in practice and in grappling competitions.
Now under the WSOF banner, Palhares finds himself thrust into title contention, and he is set to take on Carl March 29 at WSOF 9.
Carl admits that he was not thrilled about this matchup, but dangerous fights come with the territory when one is champion, and he must accept all responsibilities and burdens that come with the shiny belt.
“He’s a bad matchup for me, and he’s a dirty fighter,” Carl told Bleacher Report. “But at the same time, I am the champion now, and I have to be willing to fight anybody.”
When Palhares‘ signing was announced to the public, one of the promotion’s top welterweights, Jon Fitch, boldly exclaimed that he simply would not fight the Brazilian ground ace.
Talking to MMAoddsbreaker’s Brian Hemminger, Fitch said, “It [a fight with Palhares] would be the first time in my career that I turned down a fight.”
Carl said that he felt the same about the prospect of facing Palhares inside the cage.
“I absolutely thought twice, and I’m 100 percent on board with Fitch,” Carl said. “I kind of wanted to jump on board with him [Fitch] and say, ‘I don’t want to fight that guy.'”
To Carl’s delight, he was initially offered a bout against Fitch, not Palhares, for his first WSOF title defense.
However, the promotion offered him that matchup in June, and Carl expressed interest in fighting sooner. He had snagged the belt from Josh Burkman at WSOF 6 in October 2013, and he wished to stay active and keep in the groove of fighting every few months.
June was just too far away, and the WSOF brass reassembled, whipped up a plan and offered their champ a new fight.
Palhares.
Despite his initial reluctance, Carl said yes, and the WSOF 9 main event was booked.
“I’m the champion now, and I have to be willing to fight anybody,” Carl said. “When they offered me that fight, regardless, if I beat Fitch, I’m going to have to fight him [Palhares] anyway. Besides, I was requesting to fight sooner, and that’s what they offered me.”
The welterweight titleholder said that he does not have a strict game plan heading into this bout with Palhares. Rather than fearing his opponent’s strengths on the ground, he is focusing on what he can do and where he can impose his will.
And there’s one area in particular where Carl feels he holds a significant advantage.
“I would definitely like to use my hands,” Carl said. “If he gets a little too confident and sticks his head out there a little too far, I think I can put him to sleep.”
Should Carl seize victory at WSOF 9 and emerge unscathed, a fight with Jon Fitch looms in July.
This is a fight that Carl has already thought about, and it’s one that he eagerly anticipates.
“I have to go through Palhares to get it, but I think I match up really well with Fitch,” Carl said. “I think it’d be not only a good win, but it’d be a hard-fought fight. It’d be action-packed, and everyone would love watching it.”
For now, a limb-snatching, Hulk of a man who goes by “Toquinho” stands in Carl’s path. It’s not a fight that the WSOF champion awaits with the same giddiness that he feels for a showdown with Fitch, but it’s part of his job.
Oh, what might have been.