If you keep an eye on just one fighter in the near future, make sure it’s the man known as “Toquinho,” a.k.a. Rousimar Palhares. The Brazilian native is poised to carve out a name for himself in the UFC middleweight division, as he prepares to take on Dan Henderson at UFC 88.
At a stout 5'8" inches and 185 pounds, Palhares is no doubt every bit as strong as he looks. Though he may be 28, with only nine professional fights, the future looks very bright for this Jiu-jitsu standout.
Palhares has eight wins, with six coming by way of submission, and one decision loss. All of his matches were contested in Brazil, save the most current one. Though Palhares lacks any world-class championships in Jiu-jitsu (as far as I know), on the ground, he brings an impressive array of maneuvers designed for one purpose: to make his opponent quit.
After three consecutive wins by leg locks, “Toquinho” made his UFC debut against grizzled veteran Ivan Salaverry at UFC 84. The man from Dores do Indaia finished the fight within three minutes, via a very slick armbar after taking Salaverry’s back.
It may have been one of the craftiest displays of submission skills ever displayed inside the cage. If there’s one thing “Toquinho” knows how to do, it is finish MMA fights with flair.
Making a seasoned fighter like Salaverry tap out in such a dominating fashion raised a lot of eyebrows in the MMA community. With the seemingly invincible champion Anderson Silva destroying everybody put in front of him, it seems like a tall order for anybody to enter the cage with him and stay competitive, let alone win.
Yet the popular opinion amongst many MMA fans is that it will take a Jiu-jitsu expert with good wrestling to finally defeat the middleweight champion inside the octagon. Travis Lutter and Nate Marquardt failed already, but there are many more fighters who fit the bill.
Besides Palhares, other potential middleweight contenders with an extensive background in Jiu-jitsu include Demian Maia, Thales Leites, and Ronaldo “Jacare” de Souza (though the latter currently fights for DREAM in Japan). These men all pose a legitimate threat to Silva on the ground.
But Palhares has a ferociousness that you just can’t teach, and he may very well prove to be Silva’s sternest test yet, if they ever face each other. Middleweights will be hard-pressed to knock out or ride out a decision victory against the champ, but it is entirely possible to submit him, and if anyone can do it, it would be Palhares.
First he has to get past Dan Henderson though, which is no small task in and of itself.
“Toquinho” is an absolute master of the ground game, with excellent takedowns and slams to get the fight to the mat. He favors using leg locks, with his patented heel hook and kneebar serving literally as bone-crushing finishing moves.
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2 months ago
Correct me if Im mistaken but wasnt Ryo Chonin one of the guys to beat Silva in Pride. Why hasnt the UFC breached that subject I wonder? Overall, I think Silva is going to hold on to that belt for awhile barring some upset victory from someone they throw to him. I like the aspect of GSP coming up and fighting him just as BJ will do to fight GSP for his belt. Just my thoughts. I missed Palhares first fight in the UFC Im sorry to say. Sounds like my kind of fighter, and I look forward to seeing him fight after your great discription of his capabilities. I hope someone can give Anderson a run for his money, its no fun watching him destroy people. Hendo gave him the best fight to date in the UFC and even that wasnt spectacular.
from 2 months ago
Yes, Silva lost to Chonan and Takase in PRIDE, and has two other losses in his career. I was referring to somebody beating him in the UFC, because right now he is on a 7 fight winning streak and seems unstoppable.
Chonan is fighting at welterweight and recently lost to Karo Parisyan. I don't think the UFC will want to set up a rematch. I doubt many people would pick Chonan to win again, as Silva improved tremendously since the first fight. Chonan wouldn't get past the guys that Silva has beaten lately, and a lot of fans see his heel hook victory as a fluke (though it is argued that he was winning that match anyway).
I would like to see Silva move up to 205 and fight the top guys there, but there are still some interesting match-ups for him left at middleweight. Palhares, Maia, Leites, and Kampmann are battling for the no. 1 contendership, and I think those first two have a real shot at beating the champ. Plus there's Reljic in the mix as well. But you're right, it would be nice to see Silva challenged once in a while.
from 2 months ago
Reljic is gonna be nasty. He trains with Werdum and most importantly Mirko Cro Cop! He's a star waiting to happen. I'd also love to see Mirko Protoge Zelg Galesic in the UFC. Hes doing well in Dream though.
from 2 months ago
Reljic is gonna be nasty. He trains with Werdum and most importantly Mirko Cro Cop! He's a star waiting to happen. I'd also love to see Mirko Protoge Zelg Galesic in the UFC. Hes doing well in Dream though.
from 2 months ago
I have no confidence that Leites could take it to the ground vs Anderson. And if he fought him on the feet, he'd get destroyed like anyone else. And he didn't really win that Marquardt fight in my eyes, so I would have Marquardt as closer to getting a rematch if he wins a couple more fights than Leites (and I get the sense the UFC would too).
from 2 months ago
Jad you forgot Mike Bisping. I would love to see the nly guy with balls enough to come out to "London Calling" be middleweight champion.
2 months ago
Thanks for the insight. I never really saw Silva before the UFC so Im at a loss as to his history before. Thiago Silva might get the job done if they can meet in weight class on either side I think. Okami might be another one. The possiblities are endless, but I see Silva staying on top for a bit regardless. Im surprised at the Cote fight. Cote hasnt done much lately deserving of a title shot in my eyes, but he has to fight someone I guess.
from 2 months ago
Okami was supposed to fight Silva next, but injured his hand, so they gave the title shot to Cote. Okami will eventually get his shot against the champ.
Cote is on a 4 fight win streak in the UFC, and is fairly well-known amongst casual fans. I think any fight involving Silva will sell at this point. But who knows: Cote has a puncher's chance, and we've seen big upsets in the past.
Thiago Silva is a great fighter, and he faces Lyoto Machida next. I'm really looking forward to that fight. There's several great match-ups for Anderson at 185 and 205, and it's a shame we won't be able to see them all.
2 months ago
I was totally unaware of the Okami Silva aspect actually being put in motion. I never claimed to be almighty or allknowing I guess. Silva Machida will be great. Been wating for that one. I dont discount Cote, he trains w GSP if Im not mistaken. Great fighter but not spectacular enough to warrant a fight with Silva in my eyes. Then again the Sandman wasnt necessarily worthy either but then again that wasnt a title fight. I was furious when they gave Silva a shot against Franklin saying he hadnt earned it. Less than two mintues total in the Octogon and getting a title shot. I have since called back my comments but had to spit my foot out so people could understand what I was saying. Ive been wrong before is the point and it will happen again. I just want someone to really test him. It will happen.
2 months ago
palhares is good and i believe I will be keeping a close eye on him in years to come. I dont believe he can beat Henderson mainly because I believe Henderson can beat Silva in a rematch. I think Palhares could very well submit Silva. Chonan did.
2 months ago
my b on the double comment
2 months ago
Fantastic article as always. Nothing to add other than to say that Palhares is a must see fighter. Look up some of his fights online if you can. Those leglocks are NASTY.
from 2 months ago
Yes, I've seen his other fights (at your behest), and I'm sure that Hendo has also. That one time when Palhares held the guy with a standing belly lock and then rolled into a heel hook was the most beautiful submission I've ever witnessed. Hopefully he can shake up the middleweight division a bit.
I really like Hendo, but this could be his third straight loss in the UFC, which won't look good in the eyes of casual fans who didn't know about his career in PRIDE. I still want to see him fight Rich Franklin. As for Leites, he's good, but not great, and I don't think he's as strong on the ground as Palhares and Maia. Silva may hold that belt for a long time.
Thanks for editing my article by the way.
from 2 months ago
O, well I figured you had seen several of those fights already based on reading your article. I was speaking in general but I can see how it sounded like that now. I think that submission you're talking about was against Fabio Negao (just checked... yes it was). The original transition to back in that fight was awesome too. Just an unbelievably good finish there. I agree about Leities, good but not great. Btw, if Hendo vs Palhares goes the distance I'll be stunned. And no problem about the edit.
2 months ago
Palhares may be able to beat Henderson, but I think someone outside the MW division will come up to beat Anderson in the event that countryman Cote fails to do it. Very good work on this article.
2 months ago
Henderson will destroy him. He looks good but Henderson can't be knocked out and after his lose to Anderson I don't see him getting submitted again any time soon.
2 months ago
I actually just wrote an article on Anderson. I personally dont think anyone in the UFC middleweight division can do it. I say bring back The Crow and sell this fight as a gauranteed stoppage and call it UFC: SHARP ELBOWS
from 2 months ago
The Crow would get destroyed as well...
2 months ago
He lost....awww i was pulling for Palhares
2 months ago
Palhares had Hendo where he wanted him, but just couldn't finish. I wonder what would have happened if there were a few more seconds left in the first round. Still, this match doesn't prove that Palhares can't beat Anderson!
from 2 months ago
You're right about that. As you know it's all about matchups. Palhares and Maia I have always felt have the best chance to beat anderson silva over anyone. Both of those guys have the skills necessary and takase laid a blueprint for them a few years ago. Will palhares and mais ever work their way up to silva is the real question.
I'd still like to see a rematch with hendo though just for the hell of it...
2 months ago
Have Palhares and Maia fought each other? If they did I missed it.
from 2 months ago
They haven't fought each other yet in MMA; I'm not sure when it comes to jiu-jitsu competition though. I can't find any accomplishments of Palhares in BJJ tourneys, so maybe he doesn't have the kind of credentials that a guy like Maia has.
I doubt that the UFC will put them up against each other, because they won't want lose a potential contender for the title. Like Derek said, what matters now is whether or not either of them is able to climb up the ladder to the champion. Hopefully they do, because I want to see Anderson face both Maia and Palhares.
2 months ago
You my friend are an educated MMA fan, and you now have a new fan signing up now.. still think Anderson takes this one, especially after seeing Dan takethis bout this weekend, true hios jitz combinedwith his strength is of the hook, but, andersons stan up will be too much in the end - cheers.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Chad. Palhares of course will have a very hard time against Silva, but from a stylistic point of view, he probably has the best shot at taking the belt. Plus, Silva is easier to take down than Henderson, so I think the fight will eventually hit the ground where Palhares has a distinct advantage. But Silva is very dangerous and can finish a fight from anywhere, so it's a tough match to call. I hope they eventually fight.
2 months ago
I enjoy your peices, keep up the good work
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