Fabricio
Werdum has no interest in sharing the mat with Rousimar
Palhares.
Palhares called out the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder after
Junior dos
Santos withdrew from their scheduled grappling match at Kings
Championship 2, an event promoted by Rafael
Cordeiro taking place in Florianopolis, Brazil. However, Werdum
declined the matchup, citing Palhares’ history of
submission-related controversies.
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Rousimar Palhares responds after Fabricio Werdum declines
matchup
Shortly after dos Santos withdrew from his scheduled grappling
match with Werdum at Kings Championship 2, Palhares offered himself
as a replacement. The former UFC middleweight last competed in
2024.
Werdum rejected the offer, pointing to Palhares’ history of
controversial submission finishes.
“Toquinho, I have no interest in fighting you,” Werdum said in a
recent interview. “The first thing we learn when we step onto the
mat is to let go of the submission and respect your opponent’s tap.
You never respected that first lesson and that’s why you were
banned from the sport. I respect you as a fighter, but I don’t
admire you.”
Palhares, one of MMA’s most feared submission specialists, became
known for incidents involving late submission releases. The
Brazilian was released by the UFC in 2013 after holding onto a heel
hook against Mike Pierce
despite repeated taps. The UFC had previously warned Palhares over
similar incidents before the Pierce bout.
Palhares responded to the situation while speaking with Sherdog,
disputing the idea that he had been banned from competition.
“Werdum: I was never banned from the sport,” Palhares said. “I was
fired because my opponents wanted to take me out of the game.”
Renowned BJJ champion Roberto „Cyborg“ Abreu subsequently offered
to take on Palhares.
“Since you don’t have the guts to fight me, Cyborg has already said
he’s willing to accept,” Palhares added. “Now I’m just waiting for
a promoter, either here or in the United States, to put this fight
together.”