R. Toquinho (photo) debuts in WSOF competing for the welterweight belt. Photo: Disclosure
After being fired by the UFC in October last year and suspended for four months by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission, after holding on to the submission over Mike Pierce in Barueri (SP) for too long, the Brazilian Rousimar Toquinho is preparing to fight again on March 29th. Now event athlete World Series of Fighting, Toquinho will debut in the new organization competing for the welterweight belt against champion Steve Carl. Before the duel, however, Rousimar underwent a surprise anti-doping test, carried out by the Nevada Athletic Commission, in Las Vegas (USA).
According to Ali Abdelaziz, vice-president of the WSOF, the organization is calm regarding the results of the tests, but has an alternative plan if the Brazilian is not able to perform on the 29th. The director also commented on the reason why Toquinho had to perform the exam in the United States, and not in Brazil. “Rousimar couldn't find a place in Brazil, so we decided to bring him here (in Las Vegas) and do the test. We will get his results just a day before the fight. But I'm not worried about Rousimar not being clean. He was clean for his last fight. I'm very sure he's a clean fighter, but if anything happens, I have an alternative to Steve Carl. Steve Carl is going to fight anyway,” said Abdelaziz, in an interview with the “MMA Junkie” website.
With or without Rousimar Palhares, WSOF 9 takes place on March 29th, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas (USA). The main fight of the night pits Toquinho and Steve Carl face to face, for the welterweight belt – if the former UFC athlete is able to perform on the night. In the co-main event of the night, another Brazilian competes for an organization title. Its about Marlon moraes, who faces Josh Rettinghouse for the inaugural bantamweight belt. The event also marks the debut of another fighter coming from Ultimate: the Japanese Yushin Okami, who faces Svetlozar Savov on the main card.
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