Jiu-jitsu expert Rousimar Palhares returns to competition Saturday in Poole, England, in a 15-minute submission match against Garry Tonon in the main event of Polaris Pro 3, and the match could mean more than proving he’s the better grappler.
Currently serving a two-year suspension in MMA after controversial actions in his WSOF title defense against Jake Shields, including holding the submission too long after his opponent tapped, "Toquinho" sees the grappling match as a chance to show the world that he has changed.
"No doubt about it. You get more mature after every battle, you learn something and get better in every aspect of your life," Palhares told MMAFighting.