Palhares

By FCF Staff

As many people expected would be the case, it hasn’t taken Rousimar Palhares long to find a new employer, as the fighter who was recently banned by the UFC has reportedly signed a multi-fight deal with World Series of Fighting.

According to multiple reports, the 33 year-old will make his WSOF debut in March, 2014. Palhares was released by the UFC after his controversial, submission win over Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 29 in October, where he held onto a fight ending heel hook after the referee intervened. Palhares was suspended in 2010 for a similar incident.

Not long after Palhares’ release, WSOF President Ray Sefo relayed that the promotion would be interested in signing the fighter, provided he sought professional help. Palhares and his management have insisted that the fighter did not intend to hurt Pierce, and that further, the veteran has taken steps to ensure he doesn’t injure training partners or opponents.

The win over Pierce was Palhares’ first bout at 170, as the accomplished grappler was coming off consecutive losses to middleweights Hector Lombard and Alan Belcher.