Dana White swiftly imposed a lifetime ban on a UFC star following his 31-second victory due to ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’.
White, renowned for his decisive actions as UFC president, made a significant move by permanently releasing top contender Paul Daley after an egregious incident in the renowned Octagon during UFC 113 in May 2010.
However, Daley isn’t the sole fighter to have faced White’s severe repercussions.
Rousimar Palhares was terminated by the UFC following his 31-second triumph over Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields in October 2013.
Despite securing a heel hook submission in just 31 seconds of the opening round, Palhares continued to apply the hold for several seconds after Pierce tapped out, prompting the referee’s intervention as Pierce screamed in pain.
While Palhares’s finish stood as the lone submission on the card, he was denied a ‘Submission of the Night’ bonus due to what the UFC deemed as ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’.
This wasn’t Palhares’s first instance of reluctance to release a submission, as he had received a 90-day suspension for a similar incident in 2010 against Tomasz Drwal.
Palhares had exhibited similar behavior in grappling tournaments previously. Following the event, a furious White promptly released Palhares from the UFC, citing recurring issues with failing to release holds.
“This is the second incident we’ve had with Palhares where he had the lock, and he didn’t let it go. Finally, he let it go, but I’m going to cut him,” White declared. “He’s done.”
Palhares, known as ‘Toquinho’, departed the UFC with an 8-4 record, securing victories over notable opponents such as Jeremy Horn, David Branch, and Dan Miller. He also faced off against Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, and Hector Lombard.
Following his UFC exit, Palhares joined the World Series of Fighting, where he captured the promotion’s welterweight title. He subsequently competed in Italy, Russia, and Poland.
