Depending on Ali Abdelaziz’s tape study, Rousimar Palhares could either lose his belt or possibly even be booked for an immediate high-profile rematch.

In other words, the WSOF welterweight champion’s future rests heavily on what the company matchmaker sees when he goes back and re-watches Saturday’s WSOF 22 headliner.

In it, Palhares (18-6) defended his belt with a third-round submission victory over fellow UFC vet Jake Shields (31-8-1).

However, Shields actually threw a post-fight punch at the champ after he said Palhares held on to the fight-ending kimura too long and also repeatedly gouged his eyes throughout the fight (watch the Palhares vs. Shields video highlights).

“We’re going to go back, and we’re going to see what happened in the fight on video – take my time, and take my emotion out (of it),” Abdelaziz told MMAjunkie. “If Palhares really held the submission long and (there were) eye-gouges for sure, there’s going to be some consequences for sure.”

Abdelaziz said one consequence – the Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld Palhares’ win bonus – has already happened. But could there be others, such as stripping him of the belt or even releasing the fighter, who already has a checkered past with holding submissions too long?

“I don’t know,” said Abdelaziz, who signed Palhares after the UFC cut ties with him in 2013. “We have a lot of options (such as) suspensions, (stripping him) of his belt. I can’t judge right now. I can’t judge right now because I’ve been one of his biggest supporters. Everybody told me not to support him, but I supported him. But I guarantee you we’ll look at this video.

“The submission was legit. He swept him from the bottom. I don’t know if he held it (too long). Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t.”

If Abdelaziz determines Palhares did nothing wrong, he may book an immediate rematch. Shields actually said he wants one (see the video below). However, the Nevada commission may have some penalties of its own and could sideline the champ.

Check out the full conversation with Abdelaziz above.

And for more on WSOF 22, check out the MMA Events section of the site.