Rousimar Palhares was back in competition on Friday. The former WSOF champion fought Alexei Ivanov at FNG – Fight Nights Global 70. The matchup between Palhares and Ivanov was the featured main event of the card which took place at the FSK Sports Complex in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia.
It was quick work for the Brazilian submission specialist as “Toquinho” got to the fight to the ground in less than thirty seconds by pulling half guard after attempting a takedown. From there it was just a matter of seconds before Palhares was securing his feared heel hook submission. Once Palhares got in position, Ivanov tried to roll out of the submission but the powerful Palhares was able to lock the submission and get Ivanov to tap as he screamed in pain. Palhares, who has had a controversial history with holding on to submissions released his position as the referee stopped the fight at the 37-second mark of the very first round.
Alexei Ivanov holds an 11-4 professional mixed martial arts record and is now on a two-fight losing streak. Ivanov was submitted prior to his fight against Palhares by Gennadiy Kovalev in December at EFN – Fight Nights Global 57. Before his last two fights, Ivanov put up a seven-fight winning streak from 2013-2016.
Rousimar Palhares holds a 19-8 professional mixed martial arts record and snapped a two-fight losing streak with his win over Ivanov. Palhares suffered a KO loss to Michal Materla at KSW 36 – Materla vs. Palhares in October and a KO loss to Emil Weber Meek at Venator FC 3 – Palhares vs. Meek in May of last year. Prior to the two losses, “Toquinho” was on a four-fight winning streak and had his run as the WSOF champion where his term as champion ended after he was penalized by the NSAC for holding on to his submission on Jake Shields after the referee had intervened.
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