ROUSIMAR PALHARES

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

SLIDING CATCH TO OUTSIDE HEEL HOOK

Level 2—Both Standing, Striking Range

Palhares has the rare ability to perform submissions even while fighting on the feet. Slide in and snatch up the opponent with this unexpected technique sub to force the tap in a hurry.

DIRECT CATCH TO INSIDE HEEL HOOK

Level 3—Over/Under Hook

His talent for unusual submissions carries over to the clinch, where Palhares can roll the opponent into a sudden and extremely painful heel hook.

DIRECT CATCH TO OUTSIDE HEEL HOOK

Level 3—Open Guard, Top

Score the takedown, then posture up in Open Guard and catch the opponent with a crippling heel hook from the top. This is another high-level leg lock that can quickly earn Palhares the win.

STRENGTHS

• Strength

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt

• Leg locks

Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares is an incredibly strong grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master.

With his mix of pure strength and elite-level submission grappling technique, “Toquinho” is one of the most dangerous UFC middleweights.

His striking is not good, however, so remain defensive and conservative on the feet as you focus on using his strong takedowns or clinch grappling ability to bring the opponent to the floor.

Or attempt submissions while standing or from the Over/Under Hook clinch—these are quite powerful and can be very effective if you catch an unskilled opponent by surprise.

Go for the takedown otherwise, or work the opponent over in the clinch with Palhares, who has strong control in all grappling positions.

Attack the opponent’s body to wear him down fast and set him up for one of Palhares’s crippling leg locks or arm submissions from the top.

WEAKNESSES

• Footwork

• Striking

• Strike defense

Though he knows a few decent strikes and is a strong and competitive athlete, no one would confuse Palhares for a striker.

“Toquinho” is a grappler by trade, so keep him standing and be ready to stuff his powerful takedowns and dangerous submission attempts on the feet.

He is also strong in the clinch and can roll for strong leg locks from the Over/Under Hook position, so use superior speed and movement on the feet to deny him the chance to move within clinching distance.

Remain defensive and pick him apart with quick leg kicks and hard punches from the outside, throwing quick combos and remaining wary of the takedown.

He can be overwhelming in his world of submission grappling, but he’s vulnerable to being rocked on the feet and struggles to remain competitive when he’s unable to bring the fight to the ground.