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Monday, Aug 03, 2015

Report: Rousimar Palhares Insists He’s Not a Dirty Fighter, Says he “Stopped” When Ref Intervened

Palhares cranking a Kimura on Jake Shields (photo WSOF / NBC SN)

By FCF Staff

Rousimar Palhares is in familiar territory once again, as following his win over Jake Shields at WSOF 22 on Saturday, the welterweight’s insisting he’s not a dirty fighter.

The feared submission artist defended his title at the event, by catching Shields with a third round, Kimura. After referee Steve Mazzagatti intervened to stop the bout, as Shields was tapping out, Palhares did not immediately release the technique.

The welterweight has been disciplined in the past for not immediately releasing submissions, and in 2013, Palhares was banned by the UFC for injuring Mike Pierce with a prolonged heel hook.

Following the event, WSOF vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz announced he plans to review the bout, and that Palhares could be stripped of the title. Shields also claimed after the fight that Palhares was eye gouging him during the contest.

Recently Palhares spoke with MMA Fighting.com, and the fighter has this to say about the controversial end to Saturday’s contest:

“I did not hold his arm (after the tap),” Palhares said. “The [referee] said to me before the fight, ‘just go out there, if I put my hand on you, stop.’ And when he put his hand on me, I stopped. I stopped. Sometimes in the fight, it’s hard, it’s difficult to feel something. When it felt it, I [stopped].”

The 35 year-old Brazilian also argued he’s not a “dirty fighter” and that the accusations make him feel “sad”. Palhares (18-6) has won four straight since he was banned by the UFC.

posted by FCF Staff @ 11:17 am
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