WSOF 16: Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch Full Head-to-Toe Breakdown

This Saturday, two UFC veterans will face off in the World Series of Fighting, as Jon Fitch squares off against the WSOF welterweight champion, Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares.

Palhares was released from the UFC following his welterweight debut, a 31-second victory over Mike Pierce. Palhares held on to the submission for too long, and as a result, he was cut. He has had just one fight since his release: a victory over Steve Carl to win the WSOF welterweight title.

Fitch has had three fights since his release back in 2013—first, a submission loss to Josh Burkman but then two straight decision victories over Marcelo Alfaya and Dennis Hallman.

These are two high-level grapplers, and it's sure to be a fun fight come Saturday. Let's check out who has the edge in this head-to-toe breakdown.

Neither fighter is really known for his striking. Palhares has zero of his 16 wins by (T)KO, while Fitch's last came back in 2006.

Palhares does have quite a bit of power, but the only time in the last 12 years Fitch was knocked out was when he was on the receiving end of a Johny Hendricks left hand.

Striking isn't likely to play a huge factor in this one.

Edge: Push

Grappling is going to be huge in this fight.

Fitch and Palhares both rely heavily on their grappling for victories. Fitch has earned 17 of 26 wins by decision, and most of them came because he could utilize his superior grappling to control his opponents.

Palhares is more of a power grappler who will dive on submissions and crank. Since 2007, he's only had two of his victories go to decision—one against Dan Miller and the other against Jeremy Horn.

As far as pure grappling, Fitch should have an edge here.

Edge: Fitch

This one is a no-brainer.

Palhares has 13 of 16 wins by submission, and his opponents fear his submissions. They are generally devastating leglocks, and Palhares sometimes holds on for too long.

While Fitch is an accomplished grappler, he has only four wins by submission and none since 2007. 

If this fight ends with a submission, it will be from Palhares.

Edge: Palhares

Rousimar Palhares

Palhares has had a long layoff going into this one. His last fight came in March of this year, a full nine months ago. In addition to that, he fought only one time in 2013, so he hasn't had much cage time at all as of late.

Aside from that, Palhares will have his hands full, as Fitch is easily one of the best grapplers he's ever faced. Palhares will need to be ready to go the full 25 minutes in case he cannot get a submission.

Jon Fitch

Fitch has taken a serious step down in competition since leaving the UFC, and Palhares is his toughest opponent since early 2013. In addition to that, he might be one of the most dangerous grapplers he's ever faced.

Fitch has been submitted twice in his career. The first came in his first career fight, and the second came in his WSOF debut. Aside from that, Fitch has survived 15 minutes with the likes of B.J. Penn, Demian Maia and 25 minutes with Georges St-Pierre.

If he can avoid Palhares' submissions, he has a very good chance of winning this one.

As long as Fitch is smart about how he fights, this fight is his for the taking.

Fitch needs to avoid Palhares' leglocks and control the fight on the ground. As long as he fights the way he usually fights, he will win a classic Fitch unanimous decision.

Prediction: Jon Fitch def. Rousimar Palhares by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).