TUF 10 Finale: Rousimar Palhares vs Lucio Linhares set for Dec. 5 with Alessio Sakara hurt

by MMAmania.com on Sep 27, 2009 7:05 PM EDT

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UFC newcomer Lucio Linhares (13-4) will replace the injured Alessio Sakara and make his Octagon debut against Rousimar Palhares (9-2) at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 5, according to our friends at BrasilCombate.com.br.

Linhares has torn up the M-1 Global circuit for the past 18 months, amassing a solid record (5-2) in seven appearances. "Spartan" is currently enjoying a five-fight win streak, which includes first round stoppages over notables such as Karl Amoussou and UFC veteran Sean Salmon.

The Brazilian most recently submitted Mikhail Zayats via rear naked choke at M-1: "Breakthrough" last month. He boasts a nice mix of (technical) knockouts and submissions in 17 professional fights, which may serve him well against the highly-touted Brazilian jiu-jitsu submission specialist.

Palhares hasn’t seen action since a unanimous decision win over mixed martial arts journeyman Jeremy Horn at UFC 93 earlier this year. Prior to the win, "Toquinho," which means "tree stump" in Portuguese, dropped a unanimous decision to Dan Henderson at UFC 88: "Breakthrough" in September 2008.

In both performances, the up-and-comer demonstrated just how dangerous he can be on the ground — Horn and Henderson were extremely cautious when their fights went south. Ivan Salaverry — Palhares’ first opponent inside the Octagon — was not so lucky, tapping to a super slick armbar at UFC 84: "Ill Will."

TUF 10 Finale will feature a showdown between the top two finalists from the Spike TV reality show, as well as a potential light heavyweight war featuring Jon "Bones" Jones as he inches his way closer to contention against Matt "The Hammer" Hamill.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to the Dec. 5 fight card as they become available.

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Haven’t seen Linhares in action before so i can’t really judge, anyone know much about this guy??

Hope he brings it cause “Tree Stump” will forsure!

by SoCalStunNa on Sep 27, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

Man knows how to do two things – 1. throw bombs 2. Sub fools. Not technical standing but packs heat. He’s a legit BB though from Alliance. Don’t know if Toquinho subs him but i think he wins that fight.

by NameNotRequired on Sep 27, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I cant wait to see Toquino back in action. Once he finds his comfort zone in the Octagon, I expect some impressive performances out of him…

linhares, iMO is a welcome addition to the UFC. LIKE my esteemed colleague, NNR pointed out, he isnt the most technical, but has some legit ground skills!

Good match up if you ask me!

by john G on Sep 28, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Palhares can win and stay in the UFC. I wanna see some slick submissions!

by frosnt on Sep 27, 2009 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Lucio has also got slick submissions. Legit 2nd degree Alliance Black belt. I’ve rolled with him and he just runs trough everyonr like a knife trough butter…

by Rasmus on Oct 12, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Lucio Any Good?

by Drock on Sep 27, 2009 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Watched a couple of his M-1 fights. He is very wild and wide open with his punches, but does have ko power. His BJJ is legit. If this goes to the ground, these guys could put on one of the best BJJ displays of the year.

by Cole on Sep 28, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

he is a heavy handed stand up fighter with a good ground game

by nelson on Sep 27, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

sounds good hope he wins! Palhares is worthless, he looks like he has no idea of where he’s at..

by RoBerto on Sep 27, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The battle of the ‘hares. Does the winner claim the ’hares title? The loser will be left with just Lin or Pal.
Sorry, I just watched that Forrest Griffin interview. I’m feeling a little goofy.

by split decision on Sep 27, 2009 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

Lucios is no joke.
HL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L7CB_IVzDQ

by antti_lk on Sep 28, 2009 1:45 AM EDT reply actions

no joke? that was some crappy wide open stand up in that highlight video. but then again, same goes for toquinho.

by JB on Sep 28, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve seen one Linhares match where he and the opponent were just throwing wild hooks. Didn’t look that technical to me. But the announcers were saying good thing about his other skills. Think I’ll have to wait and see. In M1 he was representing Finland. Wonder if that’s the case if UFC too.

by lavis on Sep 28, 2009 2:43 AM EDT reply actions

Lucio is real sick with subs and his standup has been improving this will be a real good fight!

by Khaos_Warrior on Sep 28, 2009 3:22 AM EDT reply actions

Lucio has second degree black belt in BJJ. I’m looking forward to a sick ground battle!

by worm on Sep 28, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Lucio and Toquinho either are tough grapplers. Toquinho takesdown are better but Linhares is able to submit guys. Let’s see who catches one another first.

by Eduardo on Sep 28, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Spartan is my favorite fighter. I’ve been to his seminars. He’s one of the few who does seminars here in Lapland. He has great JJ of course, but I’m not sure if he is Paul Harrises level though. He is getting fight by fight better in his stand up game training with Mikko Suvanto and other top finnish mma fighters. Very well rounded, good cardio, technical on the ground. It’s a huge step up in competition for Lucio, I hope he can concentrate and doesn’t have too many butterflies for fighting in octagon in such an important fight.

Spartan by KO 1st round!

by Lappish Shaman on Sep 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions