UFC veteran Rousimar Palhares made a return to winning ways in the Fight Nights Global 70 main event after dispatching of fellow welterweight Alexei Ivanov with his trademark heel hook in the first round of his promotional debut on Friday.
Fight Nights Global 70, or FNG 70, took place on Friday, July 7 at the FSK Sports Complex in Ulan-Ude, Russia, and as well as featuring Palhares, the event would showcase some of Russia’s best homegrown talent such as rising youngster Maksim Butorin.
In the evening’s main event, “Toquinho” made quick work of his opponent, stalking Ivanov around the cage before he took full advantage of a sloppy jab by changing levels and emphatically getting the takedown. From there, the Brazilian made Ivanov pay with his slick submission game, quickly moving to his signature heel hook and drawing the pained verbal tap from the Russian in just 37 seconds.
The notorious Brazilian bounced back from the two consecutive losses he has suffered since leaving World Series of Fighting where he was the promotion’s welterweight champion. Palhares is most well-known for being released by the UFC back in 2013 after a twelve fight run when he refused to let go of a heel hook on Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 29. Now aged 37, last night’s vintage performance shows there’s plenty of life left in Palhares’ career yet.
Also on the card, 22-year-old rising prospect Maksim Butorin had his eleven fight win streak snapped as he fought to a decision draw in a welterweight bout with former TUF 16 competitor and Canadian journeyman Mike Hill.
Fight Nights Global 70 Results
Welterweight Main Event: Rousimar Palhares def. Alexei Ivanov via Submission (Leglock) (Round 2 – 0:37)
Bantamweight Bout: Vadim Buseev def. Yunpeng Guo via TKO (Punches) (Round 1 – 2:41)
Welterweight Bout: Maksim Butorin vs. Mike Hill ends in a Draw
Lightweight Bout: Sabit Zhusupov def. Aldar Budanaev via Decision (Unanimous)
Featherweight Bout: Renat Ondar def. Bato Damdinov via TKO (Punches) (Round 3 – 4:17)
Welterweight Bout: Dzhamal Ibragimgadzhiev def. Samat Nurmamatov via TKO (Punches) (Round 2 – 3:47)
Lightweight Bout: Valeriy Mitrichuk def. Batsuren Davaajamts via TKO (Punches) (Round 1 – 4:30)
Bantamweight Bout: Bair Asalkhanov def. Vladimir Tsoi via Decision (Unanimous)
