Rui Palhares

Rui Palhares is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner and mixed martial artist. He is primarily known for his leg lock expertise, particularly heel hooks, and his aggressive grappling style. Palhares has competed in various grappling and MMA promotions, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Series of Fighting (WSOF), and Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB).

Throughout his career, Palhares has achieved notable success in both BJJ and MMA. He has won several grappling tournaments and earned victories over notable opponents in MMA. However, his career has also been marked by controversy due to repeatedly holding submissions for too long after opponents have tapped out, resulting in suspensions and sanctions from various organizations. This has led to debates within the combat sports community regarding the ethics of his fighting style.

Despite the controversies, Palhares's skill and impact on the sport of jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts are undeniable. He remains a figure of interest within the grappling world due to his unique and highly effective submission game. His techniques, particularly his leg lock entries and finishes, are studied and emulated by other athletes.