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Will Alan Belcher Be the Latest Victim to Fall Prey to Rousimar Palhares' Vicious Submissions?

Will Alan Belcher Be the Latest Victim to Fall Prey to Rousimar Palhares' Vicious Submissions?

They always know it's coming, but somehow no one seems to be able to stop it.

It's like knowing there's a brick wall in front of you, but somehow you can't avoid speeding into it.

Welcome to the world of submissions with UFC on Fox 3 fighter Rousimar Palhares.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace never makes it a secret what he's planning to do. He's going to grab a limb and twist and turn until his opponent taps out or they make a trip to the emergency room needing something to be re-attached.

Palhares has finished five of his seven UFC victims with a submission, an alarmingly high rate for the level of fighters he's faced, but he always seems to find a way to grab a leg or an arm and make his opponents play into his biggest strength.

“I work hard to improve my submissions and my game on the ground, and I think I can apply my jiu-jitsu well in MMA,” Palhares told MMAWeekly.com prior to his fight in New Jersey.

Applying his jiu-jitsu well might be just about the biggest understatement this side of saying Anderson Silva is on a bit of a winning streak.

The fact is Palhares is devastating with his ground game. He's a master of finding a way to get the fight to the mat where he can ply his craft.

“I always try to make connections between my positions and attacks to submit,” Palhares stated.

As Palhares heads into his next fight against Alan Belcher at UFC on Fox 3 on Saturday night, he's once again going into a fight with someone who says they don't fear his ground game. It's nothing new in the pre-fight hype before any contest, but it's amazing how many fighters have said they don't fear Palhares' ground game and then minutes into the bout they are tapping the canvas.

“I am not caring too much about that,” Palhares said about Belcher's willingness to go to the mat with him. “If he wants to go to the ground, it's okay. If not, no problem. I think I will be able to find my way after the doors close.”

If Palhares can once again pull off a submission or any kind of victory for that matter, it will mark his fourth straight win inside the Octagon. With the middleweight division still looking for the next great contender, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist may find himself near the top of that list if he's victorious.

Palhares isn't too worried about it though because he trusts in the UFC's decision making, and a title fight will happen when the time is right.

“First of all, I am concerning and thinking only about this upcoming fight,” said Palhares. “After, I will think proper about a title shot or what I have to do to get closer to that.

“I just want to have a good performance and fight, and of course win this fight. Doing my job in the best way for my fans, what is going to happen after this fight I let in the UFC's hands. I want a title shot, but I am not in a hurry.”


Follow @DamonMartin on Twitter or e-mail Damon Martin.
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