Less than 48 hours removed from UFC Fight Night 29: "Maia vs. Shields," as well as the gnarly 31-second submission (see it here) that concluded the welterweight bout featuring Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares, the company responsible for bringing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to the mixed martial arts (MMA) community has explained its reason for "terminating the contract" of the embattled Brazilian.
The statement was released via UFC's official website and new UFC News Twitter account. It was accompanied with video of an appearance by promotion president Dana White made earlier in the day, where he first broke the news that "Toquinho" was "done" (watch video).
"As announced by UFC president Dana White, the UFC organization has elected to terminate its contract with Rousimar Palhares based on repeated incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct violating the UFC Fighter Code of Conduct and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC."
The announcement went on to reveal the findings made during the investigation conducted by UFC's Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik and the local Brazilian athletic commission, which ultimately led to Palhares' denial of $50,000 in cash.
"At UFC Fight Night 29 on Oct. 9, 2013, Palhares won his welterweight bout against Mike Pierce via heel hook submission in 31 seconds. Pierce appeared to tap several times physically and verbally and the ref intervened physically before Palhares let go. Despite being the only submission win on the card, Palhares was denied the Submission of the Night bonus."
ZUFFA referenced some skeletons in "Toquinho's" closet, as well. Bringing up the prior heel hook incident Palhares played a star role in, against Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111.
"The controversy is not Palhares' first: In 2010, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission suspended Palhares for 90 days following his heel hook win over Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111 for not letting go after the referee stoppage."
"In 2012, Palhares was again suspended for nine months after testing positive for elevated testosterone after UFC on FX 6."