Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon x Rousimar Palhares is going down at Polaris Pro 3, which will be held April 2 in the UK.
Live tickets on sale here.
http://goo.gl/OizbPe
Garry Tonon is on a quest to prove himself the best grappler on the planet. Although he has phenomenal all-around jiu jitsu, he’s particularly adept in the leglock game. Until recently only a select few really understood the leglock game, let alone could apply it well in competition. Marcin Held had a number of submission wins by leglock in high level MMA, and Garry took him on at Polaris 1. The legendary Japanese leglock master Masakazu Imanari, too, fell to the technicality of Tonon at Polaris 2.
Now Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares, the man who leglocked his way to notoriety in the 2011 ADCC and more recently in the UFC and WSOF, is here to stop Tonon in his tracks.
A few months ago, when asked who he wanted to face in the near future, Tonon called out fellow leg lock specialists Rousimar Palhares and Ryan Hall. He also mentioned that he would like a rematch with Lucas Lepri (that beat him at ADCC 2015) and Michael Langhi.
Palhares is considered to be one of the best in the world at leg locks, such as the heel hook and knee bar. Palhares took 2nd place in the under 88 kg 2011 ADCC, finishing his first three opponents quickly with leg locks, before losing to established World Champion Andre Galvao in the final, by points.
Tonon’s instructor Tom DeBlass was recently on the very popular Inside BJJ Podcast, where he discussed his student’s upcoming match and also talked about EBI’s recent collaboration with the UFC.
Many people talk about the weight difference, but Palhares has to be at 184 lbs for this match. Also Tonon trains everyday with Tom DeBlass who is around 200lbs and is a good leg locker himself.
DeBlass on how Tonon learned the leg lock game:
John Danaher really taught us the leg lock game. When Garry was with me he was already very accomplished then he went to the city. Danaher had this approach that was next level shit. I kept hearing from Garry about this Eddie guy (Cummings). Eddie this, Eddie that. Daneher and Cummings really have a whole system.
The way these guys are applying these leg locks, they’re breaking your whole leg.
On the Polaris match vs Rousimar Palhares:
Palhares is very dangerous so Garry can’t afford to get caught. Palhares doesn’t positionally dominate people. We saw that in the Shields fight.
Garry will weather the storm. Garry will wiggle out but can’t just sit there in 50/50 and exchange leg locks. He’ll have to
Garry is really really hard to heel hook. He has really good defense. He trains with very technical leg lock artists like Eddie aor John and with me who is a bear, a gorilla and is trying to rip off his legs.
DeBlass’s prediction:
Garry will submit him with a leg lock or rear naked choke. I don’t think Palhares will come in mentally in this fight. Garry has no respect for Palhares. Garry doesn’t fear him. Palhares is going to have a 165 lb monkey all over his sh*t and his name is Garry Lee Tonon.
