Rousimar Palhares’ refusal to let go of submission attempts is “just a part of the sport,” according to his manager.
The Brazilian has been stripped of his World Series of Fighting welterweight belt and banned indefinitely after his latest controversial submission victory against Jake Shields.
The Brazilian forced the tap from Shields with a third-round kimura, but continued to hold onto the submission after the referee had stopped the fight. He also appeared to eye-gouge Shields throughout the fight.
His manager Alex Davis admitted he has tried to get the fighter to work on release submission holds when the referee intervenes, but to no avail.
“There are no rules that tell you how far you take a (limb) back or forth. It’s a very subjective point. But I agree that if we’re looking at the safety of the fighters, and he’s done it time and again and we’ve tried to work with him, and try to make him not do it and he just keeps on doing it, I have to give my hands out to be slapped on that.”
However, Davis insinuated that Palhares has been treated unfairly over his latest controversy, citing fighters other examples of rule breaking that don’t get as much criticism.
“But I have to point that he’s not the only one who does it, and people don’t get buzzed when a guy gets knocked out and he gets three or four more punches. I’m not saying he’s right on this, I’m just saying it’s a part of the sport.”
As for the reason why Palhares continues to defy the referee by holding onto holds (six by Joe Lauzon’s count), Davis came up with a paltry excuse.
“What makes Rousimar’s submissions so unpalatable is not the time he holds on, but it’s how far he cranks it. If you look at Joe Lauzon, he’s holding onto the submission, waiting for the referee to stop it. Well, Rousimar just keeps on going regardless of what happens. He’s zoned out; he just seems to lose contact with reality.”
Really? That’s your excuse? Pull the other one, man.
Oh wait, stop! No Rousimar, stop pulling my leg! *Tap *Tap *Tap *Tap *Tap *Tap
