Rousimar Palhares lost ‘one of the worst matches of my life’ at Kasai Pro 3

Rousimar Palhares outweighed Craig Jones by almost 14 pounds at Kasai Pro 3, but that didn’t help him win the grappling match.

The former WSOF welterweight champion, who weighed in at 218 pounds a day before the match in New York, got on his knees and wouldn’t attack the rising prospect Jones on the ground. In the end, “Toquinho” lost after accumulating penalties over the course of the 15-minute match.

“I really hated the match because I didn’t show anything and didn’t let him do anything,” Palhares told MMA Fighting. “I’ll tell you the truth, it was one of the worst matches of my life. I was pissed off with my performance.”

Palhares says the promotion was aware that he couldn’t cut weight for the match after he “almost died” prior to his most recent MMA fight in Russia. Open to a rematch with Jones “under a different ruleset,” “Toquinho” complained that he wasn’t told that the referee could hand penalties to fighters even during the 10 first minutes of the match, when a fighter could only win by submission.

Kasai promoter Rolles Gracie confirmed to MMA Fighting on Monday that fighters could receive penalties for stalling and disciplinary reasons at any point of the match.

Palhares says he decided not to be very aggressive and risk losing positions after the first penalty was given because he thoughts points were allowed as well.

“The referee said I had to go to his guard or I would get a penalty,” Palhares said. “If you’re going to give penalties, you have to give to both because he was sitting on the mat without touching me.”

Another MMA fighter that missed weight for the event was Gilbert Burns. However, “Durinho” defeated AJ Agazarm via decision. The third superfight featured Jon Calestine and Gianni Grippo, with Calestine winning via decision.

In the 170-pound tournament, Renato Canuto was crowned the champion after collecting wins over Jason Rau and PJ Barch in the first rounds, guaranteeing him a spot in the final with a draw against Victor Silverio. In the championship match, Canuto defeated UFC veteran Vagner Rochaby penalties.