Sherdog’s Top 10: Fighters Outside the UFC

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10. Rousimar Palhares
Record: 17-6
Organization: World Series of Fighting

“Toquinho” is well-known to fans for his 12-fight run in the UFC, during which he went 8-4 with six wins by way of submission. He is MMA’s premier leg lock specialist, and his complete command of that variety of attack makes him one of the scariest fighters in the sport. Palhares does not simply finish his opponents; he ruins them, twisting and pulling until the unlucky foes have their knees shredded. The lucky ones are able to limp away, with the promise of weeks of ice and rest in their future.

What makes Palhares so terrifying is the variety of ways in which he can reach his trademark submission. He is an excellent wrestler, and he can work a takedown, drop from guard and lace up the leg; he can roll under for a leg lock during a takedown attempt; or he can pull guard, move to a deep half and then look for the leg. In any case, each of these paths has dozens of different iterations and possibilities, far too many for most opponents to prepare for before a fight.

Since being cut from the UFC due to his failure to release Mike Pierce’s leg, Palhares has run off a pair of wins in World Series of Fighting, winning the title from Steve Carl and then defending it against longtime top fighter Jon Fitch. He is scheduled to face grappling ace Jake Shields in August in a matchup of two of the best welterweights outside the UFC.

Number 9 » He is an object lesson in the long and winding path athletes sometimes take to reach elite status. He is the consummate late bloomer, a former muay Thai fighter who did not truly hit his stride until more than five years into his professional career.