Brazilian Athletic Commission (CABMMA) announced on Friday that Rousimar Palhares is suspended for holding the submission after Mike Pierce tapped several times during Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 29 in Barueri, Brazil.
"After detailed analysis of the conduct of Rousimar Palhares in his bout, at the event UFC Fight Night held on October 9, 2013 at the City of Barueri (SP), we communicate the suspension of the athlete for a period of 120 days, counted as from the end of the period of his medical suspension," read the statement, signed by CABMMA’s CEO Giovanni Biscardi. "The determination of the suspension period considered, among other aspects, the fact that this is not his first anti sportsmanship attitude of the same nature."
Palhares’ conduct also forced the UFC to release him despite the fact that he has defeated Pierce in only 31 seconds in his welterweight debut.
Palhares suspension, however, won’t be a problem if he chooses to return earlier to the cage. CABMMA officials told MMAFighting.com that the suspension is only mandatory in promotions regulated by the commission, and the UFC is the only promotion under CABMMA’s rules in Brazil. However, CABMMA is confident other commissions would respect their 120-days suspension.
If Palhares signs with Brazilian promotions like Jungle Fight or Shooto, or maybe international companies, including Bellator, WSOF, BAMMA or One FC, he can fight in less than 120 days if the promotions decide to.