Rousimar Palhares submitting Steve Carl (photo via WSOF /NBC SN)

By FCF Staff

After news surfaced recently that Rousimar Palhares will be unable to fight Jon Fitch at WSOF 11 as expected, the welterweight champ has released a statement outlining the reasons why.

The 34 year-old fighter has released a statement on Instagram explaining that he’s withdrawn from the July 5th event, so that he can help take care of his ill mother.

My friends, love this sport, and I will never give up a fight. Accept any challenge, is the mark of a true warrior. Unfortunately my family and I are facing a major struggle, the struggle for health, for life. My mother had 13 children, and devoted his life to educate and create me and my brothers. At this time God tells me that I need to devote 100% of my life to take care of my mother. I’m doing everything, dedicating myself to the utmost to ensure the health of the person who put me in this world. Sportingly would not be fair to John Fitch, with fans who admire me, and also with the WSOF I introduce myself without being on top of my physical, technical and psychological conditions. It would not be fair to MMA, our sport requires the athlete should always be at their limit to compete, there is no room for error. I understand that within the business and the capitalist world we live in today this decision can not please everyone, but I am a human being and as a good son came time for me to take care of my mother.

Palhares (16-6) won the WSOF welterweight title in March by quickly tapping out Steve Carl with an inverted heel-hook.

According to MMA Fighting.com, Fitch is expected to fight recently signed Jake Shields at WSOF 11, as a result of Palhares’ withdrawal.