Rousimar ‘Toquinho’ Palhares to Meet Alan Belcher at UFC on Fox 3

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Rousimar Palhares has gained something of a cult following in mixed martial arts thanks to his affinity for finishing fights with nasty leg locks.

On May 5, the Brazilian middleweight will likely get to display his talents before a national television audience when he takes on Alan Belcher on Fox. UFC President Dana White announced the matchup via Twitter on Monday.

Palhares and Belcher are expected to be part of the main card for UFC on Fox 3, which takes place at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The evening’s main event is a five-round lightweight battle between Jim Miller and Nate Diaz.

Palhares last appeared at UFC 142, where he submitted wrestler Mike Massenzio with a heel-hook at 1:03 of the opening round. The Brazilian Top Team representative has been victorious in seven of his nine Octagon appearances, with five of those triumphs coming by submission. Only Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt have defeated “Touquinho” since 2007.

Belcher made a successful return to the cage in September by defeating Jason MacDonald at UFC Fight Night 25. The Biloxi, Miss., native had been shelved since May 8, 2010 after a detached retina put his fighting career in jeopardy. “The Talent” is currently on a three-fight unbeaten run, with wins over MacDonald, Patrick Cote and Wilson Gouveia.