Rousimar Palhares Suspended Two Years, Fined $40k For Controversial Actions at WSOF 22

The Nevada State Athletic Commission officially brought hammer down on disgraced fighter Rousimar Palhares.

On Thursday, the NSAC unanimously voted suspend the former World Series of Fighting welterweight champion for two years due to unsportsmanlike conduct in his WSOF 22 title defense against Jake Shields. The Brazilian was also fined $40,000 of his fight purse The suspension is retroactive to Aug. 1.

Palhares (18-6) emerged victories with a third round submission over Shields. However, during the contenst he was witnessed gauging the eyes of Shield on several occasions. The bout bout would culminate in Palhares slapping on a tight kimura, which he would continue to hold several seconds after Shields began tapped.

It was not soon after, Palahares was stripped of his title and indefinitely suspended by WSOF. The NSAC would also hand him n a temporary suspension for his actions.

While Palahares did take responsibility for his actions during the hearing, he routinely pointed to referee Steve Mazzagatti while maintaining he did not feel Shields tap.

However, Mazzagatti testified that he had clearly warned Palhares about holding onto this submissions for too long, citing unsportsmanlike conduct from the former champion. WSOF President Ray Sefo and Veteran referee John McCarthy would echo Mazzagatti’s statement.

This did not mark Palhares’s first run in with controversy as he was cut from the UFC in 2013 for holding a leglock on Mike Pierce after the fight was waved off. He was promptly cut from the UFC for his actions.