UFC 84 Preview: Rousimar Palhares

Brazilian middleweight prospect Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares will make his Octagon debut at UFC 84: Ill Will when he faces off with UFC veteran Ivan Salaverry. Toquinho is primarily a BJJ player but has also shown good wrestling fundamentals, using strong single and double legs to set up his ground moves. His stand-up doesn't look to be overpowering, but is more than serviceable judging from the clips above. He is a member of Brazilian Top Team, so he's got a nice pedigree. Toquinho is described by his fellow BTT members as having freakish strength, and uses his short, stocky build to overpower his opponents to the ground. Rousimar went on a tear in the Fury FC tournament, defeating Fabio Negao (Matt Lindland's upcoming opponent on Affliction: Banned) in the Semis and Chute Boxe member and Pride vet Daniel Acacio in the finals. Fans of the leglocks will be smitten with Palhares, as he finished off Negao and Acacio both on the same night with leglocks in the first round. If you see anything resembling a + next to Toquinho's name when the odds come out, he would be a nice play.