Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC president Dana White revealed on Twitter this morning that a very interesting middleweight bout has been added to the May 5th UFC on Fox 3 card in New Jersey, as Brazilian leg-mangler Rousimar Palhares will meet Louisiana's own Alan Belcher:
Alan Belcher vs Rousimar Palhares fight added to FOX card!!!!!!
Many fans had called for this match-up given the recent successes of both men and their positioning in the upper echelon of the UFC's 185 lb. ranks. Belcher returned in September after over a year spent battling a potentially career-ending eye injury, and he quickly dispatched of the always-game Jason MacDonald. Although he's shown a solid ground game in addition to his dynamic muay thai, Belcher will want to avoid the ground at all costs against Palhares, who is one of the most feared submission artists in modern MMA, given his brute strength and penchant for crushing leg locks, along with his ability to snatch them from seemingly any position.
Alan "The Talent" Belcher (17-6)
W Jason Macdonald (submission - punches) - UFN 25
W Patrick Cote (submission - RNC) - UFC 113
W Wilson Gouveia (TKO) - UFC 107
Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares (14-3)
W Mike Massenzio (submission - heel hook) - UFC 142
W Dan Miller (unam. decision) - UFC 134
W Dave Branch (submission - heel hook) - UFC on Versus 3
Here's how the UFC on Fox 3 card is shaping up:
-Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller (5-round main event)
-Josh Koscheck vs. Johny Hendricks
-Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares
-Pat Barry vs. Lavar Johnson
-John Dodson vs. Darren Uyenoyama
-Anthony Ferguson vs. Dennis Hallman
-John Hathaway vs. Pascal Krauss
-Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish
-Louis Gaudinot vs. John Lineker
-Mike Massenzio vs. Karlos Vemola
0 recs | 87 comments
Certainly didn’t see this one coming.
Machiel Van - February 13, 2012
Did Belcher's surgeon bribe Joe Silva to get more business?
Ziggy325 - February 13, 2012
It was an eye issue
The surgeon would only bribe Silva if Belcher fought Shields.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
LOL nice
Ziggy325 - February 13, 2012
Palhares may force...
Zuffa’s medical insurance company to up rates by 75% after this fight…
eddyreyna2 - February 13, 2012
middleweight must pay an additional fee for Palhares Clause
RashadsLeftNipple - February 13, 2012
Or Koscheck
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
someones gettin a new sig!
gspmademegay - February 13, 2012
This card is fantastic
Thank you Joe Silva et al.
SteamboatWillie - February 13, 2012
Oh damn
I think I’d take Belcher in this fight.
menckenstein - February 13, 2012
BEEEELLLCHEEERRRR!
my man gon’ cash him out.
you heard it here first.
fontgangsta - February 13, 2012
psychowhite?
gspmademegay - February 13, 2012
Hahaha
Definitely rec. Fantastic work.
BVandDietPepsi - February 13, 2012
I hope Palhares hates that Johnny Cash tattoo as much as I do
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
if you ask him nicely....
Paul Harris may take it for you.
F'n Clownshoes - February 13, 2012
fuck Johnny Cash,
that shit looks more like Michael Badalucco.
Victor Rodriguez - February 13, 2012
Belcher returns from Surgery.
Belcher returns to surgery.
NE188 - February 13, 2012
Word!
I am glad that Pal just does leg locks these days. Can you imagine him breaking people’s neck for not tapping? :D
SheepleBuster - February 13, 2012
Try and snap a leg when you’re being dropped on your head, psycho!
BVandDietPepsi - February 13, 2012
Don’t tempt Harris, he’ll do it man.
Bolshevik - February 13, 2012
So yeah, there's a significant chance every main card fight ends in a finish
Diaz vs. Miller either ends in a finish or a FOTN 5-rounder thriller.
Barry vs. Johnson = KO
Belcher vs. Palhares = Submission for someone
Koscheck vs. Hendricks = Hendricks KO
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
ny someone you mean Paul Harris
benten20 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
by
benten20 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Yes. Seriously
Belcher subbing Paula Harris? Ain’t happening. I did want Bisping vs. Pal Haris though
SheepleBuster - February 13, 2012
that Paula Harris sounds like a tough chick. she sounds as intimidating as that
Alice Tarr lady that kicked the fuck out of Lesnar.
Victor Rodriguez - February 13, 2012
Don't you think Kos v Hendricks
could look just like Kos v Pierce? I see that as decision for Hendricks, split.
DankNabbot - February 13, 2012
Hendricks has better boxing, better technique, and more power than Pierce
He’s more effective in the clinch as shown by his uppercuts against Amir, Funch, and I think a little bit of Brenneman.
He can absolutely sleep Koscheck
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
Oh I totally think it could happen
I also think that due to his just totally unlikeable personality people are extremely willing to sell Kos’ short, I think he still has enough left to keep it conscious, and a lot of experience. On the other hand, he just left his camp of many years, so maybe he’s not gonna be as mentally tight as he has been in the past.
DankNabbot - February 13, 2012
I don't think Hendricks has better technique than Pierce
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
How do you feel confident saying that after Condit-Diaz? Wasn’t this the common knowledge before the fight?
I’m never recommending casuals tune into a fight again. My credibility evaporated after Condit Cruz’d Diaz.
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
Diaz and Miller have won what, 9 FOTN awards combined?
Nate’s only boring fight was Gray Maynard, who is boring vs. almost everyone.
I guarantee Diaz vs. Miller will be great like Miller vs. Bendo was great.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
Fine.
I will hold you personally accountable for some bullshit if it happens.
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
Diaz Miller
will be a finish only if one of them submits another, most likely a UD for Miller via LnP
Derrida - February 27, 2012
Paul Harris to demonstrate ACL tears on national televison
I’m sure this will end well.
Flashking - February 13, 2012 via mobile
C'mon Alan 'Cash' Belcher!
Cocytus - February 13, 2012
cant fade PAUL HARRIS!!
gxc - February 13, 2012
This creeps me out.
Tim Bernier - February 13, 2012
Big time
dedstrk316 - February 13, 2012
Great fight that can end in so many different violent ways.
I don’t trust Belcher’s takedown defense – but likewise I don’t trust Palhares’ gas tank – enough to make a confident pick yet.
3PA - February 13, 2012
I question Belcher's chin actually
Grove put him on queer street before he choked him out, and Jason Day beat the shit out of him.
Of course, Palhares doesn’t really knock anyone out, so he’ll be protected from that.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
He came pretty close against miller:
Scott Haber - February 13, 2012
Maybe the least talked part of that whole scene
Is that Miller dropped Palhares at the very end of that round, and Miller’s boxing is not as good as his grappling.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
that is still bizarre to me lol
DankNabbot - February 13, 2012
True that.
But yeah, that is basically what I figure for this fight.
3PA - February 13, 2012
I guess Alan Belcher does not have any regard at all for his legs...
Maclovio Williams - February 13, 2012
DAMN IT!!
I WAS GONNA POST THAT GIF!!!
Garbanzo - February 13, 2012
Garbanzo - February 13, 2012
Hopefully Palhares switches things up by ripping off Belcher's arm so we no longer have to look at that horrible tatoo.
pud333 - February 13, 2012
This will be green soon and will match the above gif.
sexysassytravismmafan - February 13, 2012
I was hoping when they set up Maia vs. Belcher two years ago we'd get that
Before Belcher had the eye injury.
Now? Belcher TKOs Maia.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
I miss old Maia.
pud333 - February 13, 2012
Maia
Isn’t done yet. He just had a bad night. He looked good against Munoz and I gave him the W.
Let’s see what he looks like next fight before we completely write him off.
cager - February 13, 2012
booooo!
a kiss from cash is the last thing you see before the lights go out
fontgangsta - February 13, 2012
True if it looked anything like Cash! :-)
taptomyarmbar - February 13, 2012
This is going to be the best fox card yet so many exciting fights
chavez_26 - February 13, 2012
Just wait until the injuries happen.....
…..When Koscheck is picked up on a stretcher and Belcher needs his ligaments re-attached.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
I took that to mean
before any of the fights actually happen. I am too lazy to search for numbers but it definitely feels like there are a LOT more substitutions happening these days. I expect this card to change a lot pre fight.
DankNabbot - February 13, 2012
Cool fight! I just hope Belcher doesn't get his leg fucked up too bad.
Sweet Scientist - February 13, 2012
This card
Is really shaping up. Lots of excitement from top to bottom.
HeadKickOfDoom - February 13, 2012
What makes anyone think Palhares isn;t going to eat his leg for dinner?
Belcher is not an ADCC level grappler. Palhares is an elite ADCC grappler. If he gets a leg its over.
sklart - February 13, 2012
ADCC doesn't allow striking
Belcher is a good grappler and much better than Paul Harris in the stand up.
menckenstein - February 13, 2012
While I think Palhares is going to win
You don’t have to be an ADCC-level grappler to not be submitted by one.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
You do know that this is a UFC fight? They start the fights standing and allow strikes
Skoobs - February 13, 2012
Nate did all right
Shave your legs, sweat them up good, unload fistos into Paul Harris’ grill. That’s a reasonable gameplan that can save Alan’s legs.
Otherwise: yeah. Bad.
glib_mf - February 13, 2012
Yeah man. Nate did great.
I am surprised no one else has figured out how to “shave” their legs and “work up a good sweat” before fights. It seems like an easy step to take to ensure your knee health.
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
Why the quotation marks?
Do you believe that Nate actually greased? Because I thought Herb Dean was all over that, even doing the smart thing and using a paper towel to wipe Nate’s leg to see if any grease residue was left on the paper towel when the moisture evaporated. I thought that was pretty slick, on-the-spot thinking on Herb’s part.
glib_mf - February 14, 2012
yes, I am of the opinion he greased.
Maybe Herb Deans super scientifical paper towel test completely answered any and all questions as to whether Marquadt greased or not for you.
Seemed like a “move along, there’s nothing to see here” move on Dean’s part to legitimize whatever just happened. Palhares’ immediate reaction says alot to me… he leglocks people for a living after all.
If it was as easy as “shaving your legs” (nevermind most of the UFC roster has no visible body hair), and “working up a sweat beforehand” how come Palhares is able to leglock so many UFC fighters? Wouldn’t ADCC grapplers be especially aware of a leglock defense as simple as the one Nate purportedly did?
I think Nate greased, and got away with it.
The Lethal Haze - February 14, 2012
I will never miss a Paul Harris fight…ever
Afrotikiman - February 13, 2012 via mobile
YUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Charles Awad - February 13, 2012
A minute agao
People were saying this card was a bit thin. It is starting to look decidedly stacked and while it doesn’t exactly have a big name headliner, it’s full of fighters who always deliver. Wicked.
jim-ma - February 13, 2012
These are the kind of cards that will hook curious people into the UFC.
Bouts featuring high-level guys who are known to bring it 100% every time and put on a show. Guys like Diaz, Belcher, Miller, and Palhares are the kind of exciting fighters that can use a boost in notoriety that they couldn’t get on spike.
People who are prospective mma fans, could easily become followers of any of the guys fighting tonight, especially younger fans who have nothing to do on Saturday nights.
amendamatrix - February 13, 2012
That being said
You have to wonder if the UFC feels obliged to give Fox ratings by putting on big name fighters (in which case UFC on Fox 3 fails a bit) or whether they want to use the exposure to build themselves and their fighters (it which case this’ll be a massive success).
I guess for us it doesn’t matter, because it’s a stacked card for free.
jim-ma - February 13, 2012
I think the vast majority of people don't know the "big names".
They’re big names in the MMA community, not for the world. I think what the UFC needs is cards like this. Exciting fights, build the brand not the “names”.
Sweet Scientist - February 13, 2012
I think you're right
As this event will reach many new fans, this is an opportunity for lesser known but exciting fighters to make a big splash. I think it’s a great strategy to go for likely barn burners than rely on contention narratives at this time.
DankNabbot - February 13, 2012
they already have 3 fights on the fox portion
This fight will be on fuel my friend
AfroSamurai - February 13, 2012 via iPhone app
lol
It’s wierd, everytime I see a palhares fight, I immediately assume the other guy’s leg is getting ripped off, no matter the opponent
Full Mount - February 13, 2012
That's not weird.
Weird is the fact that Palhares could leg-lock an octopus, a 10-ton apatosaurus, and Kyle Maynard, all in under a minute.
dribblebib - February 13, 2012
Kyle Maynard
lol to hell we go
cager - February 13, 2012
R.I.P. Belcher's Leg. 1984-2012.
OleksiyPecherovsHomeboy - February 13, 2012
Way to go Alan!!
This is your shot baby!
MostDiabolicalCasanova - February 13, 2012
I can’t believe its still cool to type “Paul Harris”. So annoying
Skoobs - February 13, 2012
That name got him fans
Everyone needs a thing or something to latch onto.
For Palhares its legs.
For us its Paul Harris.
cager - February 13, 2012
Nice fight
Go Palhares
UncleMax - February 13, 2012
WAR PAUL HARRIS
rockyman500 - February 13, 2012
Great fight here. The winner of this should be positioned for a higher profile fight, or maybe even a Title shot depending on injuries and other situations. Belcher beats Palhares up on the feet, however, I think that Palhares should be able to get the takedown and do some damage or get a finish once the fight hits the ground.
chrisbboy82 - February 13, 2012
Belcher might be able to light Paul Harris up
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
This is going to be a great night of fights.
So long as there aren’t a bunch of injury subs. Definitely gonna be some scraps.
NickRingp4pGOAT - February 14, 2012
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