Rousimar Palhares

Rousimar Palhares (, born February 20, 1980) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA).

A professional competitor since 2006, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Series of Fighting (WSOF), Fight Nights Global (FNG), and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).

His nickname Toquinho, Portuguese for "little tree stump", comes from his short, stocky, heavily muscled build and the low success rate his opponents have had in grappling him down to the canvas.

Palhares is primarily known for his powerful ground game.

Of his 16 submission victories 12 have come from leg locks.

He is also known for his refusal to release submission holds when either the opposing fighter has signaled submission or the referee has called a stop to the bout, causing him to be fired by the UFC, and WSOF.

Palhares grew up in abject poverty in the Brazilian countryside.

He recalls working in the fields to help support his family as young as age seven and said that there were times where there was not enough food for everyone.

He eventually had to leave his shanty and move underneath a local bridge in a tent city slum.

Palhares began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 15, before moving to Rio de Janeiro to compete professionally.

He claimed the Fury Fighting Championship Middleweight Championship in December 2007 after defeating Flavio Mura, Pan-Am Jiu-Jitsu champion Fabio Negao, and Chute Boxe's Daniel Acacio in a tournament.

Palhares earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under former UFC Middleweight Champion Murilo Bustamante and Bebeo Duarte.

Experts in martial arts touted Palhares as one of the most naturally gifted grapplers today.

Having spent his entire early career competing in Brazil, Palhares's first bout outside his home country was in the United States at UFC 84.

He is considered to be one of the best in the world at leg locks, such as the heel hook and kneebar.

Palhares was expected to face Italian Alessio Sakara on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, but due to an injury while training, Sakara had to withdraw.

On December 12, 2009, at UFC 107 Palhares fought against Lucio Linhares and defeated Linhares by heel hook.

At UFC 111, Palhares defeated Tomasz Drwal by heel hook 45 seconds into the first round.

He was, however, subsequently suspended for 90 days for continuing to crank the submission even after Drwal had tapped and referee Kevin Mulhall stepped in to stop the fight.

Palhares was expected to face Nate Marquardt on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, however the bout was moved to September 15, 2010, to headline UFC Fight Night 22 after Alan Belcher was forced to pull out of his bout with Demian Maia with an eye injury.

Marquardt defeated Palhares via first round TKO.

During the fight, Palhares claimed that Marquardt had greased his leg after failing to secure a leg lock on the ground.

Marquardt attacked, catching Palhares off guard as he was complaining to the referee and won the fight through a ground-and-pound stoppage.

Palhares would later apologize for his actions during the fight after it was determined by officials that Marquardt's leg was not greased.

Palhares took 2nd place in the under 88 kg 2011 ADCC, finishing his first three opponents quickly with leg locks, before losing to established World Champion Andre Galvao in the final, by points.

Palhares fought against former PRIDE Middleweight & Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson at UFC 88.

Henderson defeated Palhares by unanimous decision handing Palhares his first loss in the UFC.

Palhares quickly rebounded from the loss to defeat veteran Jeremy Horn at UFC 93 by unanimous decision.

Palhares was expected to face Alexandre Ferreira on March 3, 2011, at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.

However, on January 18, Ferreira was dismissed from Chute Boxe Academy, his home training camp, for a "lack of commitment."

Less than an hour later, it was reported that the fight had been cancelled due to Ferreira losing family and friends in the Brazilian floods, resulting in him being in "no condition to train or fight."

David Branch replaced Ferriera.

Palhares defeated Branch via second round submission (kneebar).

Palhares/Ferreira was expected to take place on August 27, 2011, at UFC 134.

However, Ferreira was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Dan Miller.

Palhares would defeat Miller by unanimous decision, although there was some controversy when Palhares dropped Miller in the first round and after a few follow up punches, incorrectly thought the fight was over.

Palhares next faced Mike Massenzio on January 14, 2012, at UFC 142 He defeated Massenzio by heel hook in the first round, earning him his second Submission of the Night bonus.

Palhares then faced Alan Belcher on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3.

After getting the fight to the ground, Palhares was almost caught on a twister attempt by Belcher.

Palhares was able to escape and proceeded to attempt various types of leglocks, which were all defended by Belcher.