WSOF 22 main event recap: Palhares submits Shields amidst controversy

On Saturday night, Rousimar Palhares pulled off his most impressive victory to date by submitting esteemed submission grappler Jake Shields. Despite getting controlled for the opening two stanzas, Palhares was able to find success in the 3rd round and managed to pull off a beautiful kimura.

Official result: Rousimar Palhares (c) vs. Jake Shields: Palhares via submission (kimura) 2:02 R3.

What was the high point of the fight?

The duality of Rousimar Palhares is perplexing. On one side we have Palhares, the amazingly exciting grappler and on the other, we have Palhares the unsporting rulebreaker. On Saturday night we saw Palhares at his best and at his worst; his eye gouges and refusal to let go of the kimura were awful, but the submission itself was the high point of the fight and a thing of beauty.

Where do these two go from here?

The NAC have withheld Palhares' win bonus and a ban seems imminent. I wouldn't be surprised if the World Series of Fighting stripped him of his title. If Palhares does get a stay of execution I would like to see a rematch with Jake Shields and if he does get released I would love to see him face Ben Askren in ONE FC.

Jake Shields looked good against Palhares but as the fight went on he got too emotional, the eye gouges from Palhares had him furious and he made a mistake and got caught. I feel Shields deserves a rematch as Palhares really deserved to be penalised for his actions in the cage.

Watch now, later, or never?

Now. This fight was as interesting as it was controversial.

GIF courtesy of Zombie Prophet.