By Evan Stoumbelis
Former UFC fighter Rousimar Palhares found himself signed to a contract with WSOF after being banned from the UFC several months ago.
Now Palhares is set to face WSOF welterweight champ Steve Carl on the promotion’s 9th fight card on March 29th.
Palhares told the promotion that he was having issues finding somewhere that could test him in Brazil, so the promotion flew him out to Las Vegas to have him tested, however the results of the test will not be available until March 28th, the night before Palhares is scheduled to fight.
WSOF matchmaker Ali Abdelaziz said he was not worried about Palhares testing positive for any banned substances, but that they did have a backup plan in Tyler Stinson, who will be stepping in should Palhares be unable to compete.
“He (Palhares) was clean for his last fight. I’m very sure he is a clean fighter, but if anything happens, I have a backup for Steve Carl. Steve Carl will fight regardless.”
Palhares has been on the wrong end of many controversial situations throughout his Mixed Martial Arts career. In 2010 he was suspended 90 days for not letting go of a submission after the fight was stopped. In December of 2012 he tested positive for steroids after dropping a KO loss to Hector Lombard, and then in October of 2013 he was banned from the UFC after not letting go of a submission after the fight was stopped.