Polish MMA fighter and BJJ practitioner
Bart K. Palaszewski (Polish pronunciation: [palaˈʂɛfskʲi] ; born May 30, 1983) is a retired Polish-American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the UFC 's Featherweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 until 2014, Palaszewski has also formerly competed for the WEC , the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL , and King of the Cage .
Background
Palaszewski was born in Warsaw, Poland and lived there until he was 13 years old when he and his family immigrated to Wonder Lake, Illinois . In Poland, he was a "punching bag" for his older cousin who was involved in kickboxing , and Palaszewski also began judo when he was in the third grade. However, his coach became an Olympian and after Palaszewski was not happy with his old coach's replacement, he trained for six months in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai before being introduced to mixed martial arts. He trained whilst working as a photographer and graphic designer and holding other computer-related jobs. Then, after seeing his first MMA event at a show in McHenry, Illinois , Palaszewski was hooked.[ 1] Although his official record indicates that he lost his first four professional fights, he claims that he had other wins professionally but only the four losses were documented when his coach sent in the results. Nevertheless, he then bounced back with eight consecutive victories.[ 2]
Mixed martial arts career
World Extreme Cagefighting
Palaszewski made his WEC debut against Alex Karalexis at WEC 37 . He won the fight via second round TKO , earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Palaszewski suffered back to back losses against Ricardo Lamas via unanimous decision at WEC 39 , and Anthony Njokuani via second round at WEC 40 . The loss to Njokuani is to this date the only TKO/KO loss of his career.
Palaszewski fought touted prospect Anthony Pettis on December 19, 2009, at WEC 45 .[ 3] He gave Pettis his first professional loss via split decision.
Palaszewski defeated Karen Darabedyan via first round submission at WEC 47 .[ 4]
Palaszewski faced Zach Micklewright on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50 .[ 5] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Palaszewski was expected to face Kamal Shalorus on November 11, 2010, at WEC 52 .,[ 6] but the bout was moved to WEC 53 after Shalorus suffered a hand injury.[ 7] Palaszewski lost to Shalorus via a split decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, most WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[ 8]
Palaszewski was expected to face Cody McKenzie on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130 .[ 9] However, McKenzie was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Gleison Tibau .[ 10] Palaszewski himself was forced from the Tibau bout with an injury and replaced by Rafaello Oliveira .[ 11]
Palaszewski returned to face Tyson Griffin in a featherweight bout on October 29, 2011, at UFC 137 .[ 12] Palaszewski won via first-round KO after dropping Griffin with a left hook and finishing the fight with a flurry of punches against the cage, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Palaszewski faced Hatsu Hioki on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144 .[ 13] Hioki defeated Palaszewski via unanimous decision.
Palaszewski faced Diego Nunes on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5 .,[ 14] losing via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27). Despite the loss, he still earned the "Fight of the Night" bonus.
Palaszewski faced Cole Miller on April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale .[ 15] Palaszewski lost the fight via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[ 16]
On February in 2014, Palaszewski announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[ 17]
Personal life
[ 18]
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
53 matches
36 wins
17 losses
By knockout
18
2
By submission
10
3
By decision
8
12
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
36–17
Cole Miller
Submission (rear-naked choke)
The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale
April 13, 2013
1
4:23
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
36–16
Diego Nunes
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot
October 5, 2012
3
5:00
Minneapolis, Minnesota , United States
Fight of the Night.
Loss
36–15
Hatsu Hioki
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 144
February 26, 2012
3
5:00
Saitama, Saitama , Japan
Win
36–14
Tyson Griffin
KO (punches)
UFC 137
October 29, 2011
1
2:45
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (148 lbs) bout. Griffin missed weight. Knockout of the Night.
Loss
35–14
Kamal Shalorus
Decision (split)
WEC 53
December 16, 2010
3
5:00
Glendale, Arizona , United States
Win
35–13
Zach Micklewright
KO (punch)
WEC 50
August 18, 2010
2
0:31
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
34–13
Karen Darabedyan
Submission (armbar)
WEC 47
March 6, 2010
1
4:40
Columbus, Ohio , United States
Win
33–13
Anthony Pettis
Decision (split)
WEC 45
December 19, 2009
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
32–13
Tyler Combs
TKO (punches)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 32
September 10, 2009
2
3:48
New Munster, Wisconsin , United States
Loss
31–13
Anthony Njokuani
TKO (punches)
WEC 40
April 5, 2009
2
0:27
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Loss
31–12
Ricardo Lamas
Decision (unanimous)
WEC 39
March 1, 2009
3
5:00
Corpus Christi, Texas , United States
Win
31–11
Alex Karalexis
TKO (punches)
WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia
December 3, 2008
2
1:11
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Knockout of the Night.
Win
30–11
Jeff Cox
TKO (punches)
Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow
June 14, 2008
2
3:07
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Loss
29–11
Jim Miller
Decision (unanimous)
IFL: New Jersey
April 4, 2008
3
4:00
East Rutherford, New Jersey , United States
Loss
29–10
Chris Horodecki
Decision (split)
IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals
November 3, 2007
3
4:00
Hoffman Estates, Illinois , United States
Loss
29–9
Deividas Taurosevicius
Technical Submission (armbar)
IFL: 2007 Team Championship Final
September 20, 2007
2
1:30
Hollywood, Florida , United States
Win
29–8
Harris Sarmiento
Submission (guillotine choke)
IFL: 2007 Semifinals
August 2, 2007
3
1:06
East Rutherford, New Jersey , United States
Win
28–8
John Strawn
KO (punch)
IFL: Chicago
May 19, 2007
1
0:48
Hoffman Estates, Illinois , United States
Win
27–8
John Gunderson
Decision (split)
IFL: Moline
April 7, 2007
3
4:00
Moline, Illinois , United States
Loss
26–8
Chris Horodecki
Decision (split)
IFL: Houston
February 2, 2007
3
4:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
26–7
Ryan Schultz
KO (punch)
IFL: Championship Final
December 29, 2006
3
2:16
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Win
25–7
Ivan Menjivar
Decision (split)
IFL: World Championship Semifinals
November 2, 2006
3
4:00
Portland, Oregon , United States
Win
24–7
Marcio Feitosa
Decision (split)
IFL: Gracie vs. Miletich
September 23, 2006
3
4:00
Moline, Illinois , United States
Win
23–7
Steve Bruno
KO (punch)
IFL: Championship 2006
June 3, 2006
1
1:48
Atlantic City, New Jersey , United States
Win
22–7
John Shackelford
TKO (punches)
IFL: Legends Championship 2006
April 29, 2006
2
1:31
Atlantic City, New Jersey , United States
Win
21–7
Jay Ellis
Submission (triangle choke)
XFO 10: Explosion
March 18, 2006
1
1:43
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
20–7
Wayne Weems
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Redemption on the River
February 17, 2006
1
1:11
Moline, Illinois , United States
Win
19–7
Kyle Brees
Submission (armbar)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 8
December 10, 2005
2
2:41
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
18–7
Luke Spencer
Submission (guillotine choke)
Gracie Fighting Challenge
October 14, 2005
1
N/A
Columbus, Ohio , United States
Win
17–7
Kyle Watson
KO (punches)
Total Fight Challenge 4
September 17, 2005
1
0:25
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Win
16–7
Josh Koon
KO (punches)
XFO 7: Outdoor War
August 27, 2005
1
0:48
Island Lake, Illinois , United States
Loss
15–7
Clay Guida
Decision (unanimous)
XFO 6: Judgement Day
June 25, 2005
3
5:00
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
15–6
Andrew Chappelle
Decision (unanimous)
SuperBrawl 40
April 30, 2005
3
5:00
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Win
14–6
Joe Jordan
Decision (unanimous)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 5
March 19, 2005
3
5:00
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
13–6
Ryan Ackerman
KO (punches)
Madtown Throwdown 2
February 19, 2005
N/A
N/A
Madison, Wisconsin , United States
Win
12–6
Luke Caudillo
Submission (guillotine choke)
Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 2
February 5, 2005
N/A
N/A
Illinois , United States
Win
11–6
Virgil Strzelecki
KO (punch)
XFO 4: International
December 3, 2004
1
0:51
McHenry, Illinois , United States
Loss
10–6
Gesias Cavalcante
Submission (guillotine choke)
IHC 8: Ethereal
November 20, 2004
1
1:03
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Win
10–5
Jay Estrada
Submission (triangle choke)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 3
October 2, 2004
1
4:31
McHenry, Illinois , United States
Win
9–5
Masayuki Okude
KO (punch)
Zst 6
September 12, 2004
1
2:27
Tokyo , Japan
Loss
8–5
Kolo Koka
Decision (unanimous)
SuperBrawl 36
June 18, 2004
3
3:00
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
8–4
Komei Okada
TKO (punches)
SuperBrawl 35
April 16, 2004
3
3:02
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
7–4
Tim Newland
Submission (armbar)
XFO 1: The Kickoff
March 14, 2004
1
4:47
Fontana, Wisconsin , United States
Win
6–4
Mark Long
Submission (armbar)
Extreme Challenge 55
December 5, 2003
1
1:39
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
5–4
Jason Bender
Decision (unanimous)
IHC 6: Inferno
November 22, 2003
2
5:00
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
4–4
Jay Estrada
TKO
Extreme Challenge 54
October 12, 2003
3
3:23
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
3–4
Tom Kirk
Decision (unanimous)
Extreme Challenge 51
August 2, 2003
3
5:00
St. Charles, Illinois , United States
Win
2–4
Kendrick Johnson
TKO (submission to punches)
Shooto: Midwest Fighting
May 21, 2003
1
2:10
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Win
1–4
Carlos Armanqui Concha
Submission (armbar)
ICC 2: Rebellion
April 18, 2003
2
3:40
Minneapolis, Minnesota , United States
Loss
0–4
Darrell Smith
Decision
Freestyle Combat Challenge 9
January 11, 2003
3
5:00
Racine, Wisconsin , United States
Loss
0–3
Brian Szohr
Decision
TCC: Battle of the Badges
April 13, 2002
1
15:00
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Loss
0–2
Jim Bruketta
Decision
River Plex Rumble
March 9, 2002
3
5:00
Peoria, Illinois , United States
Loss
0–1
Cole Escovedo
TKO (submission to punches)
UA 1: The Genesis
January 27, 2002
1
2:10
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Amateur mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
2 matches
2 wins
0 losses
By knockout
0
0
By submission
2
0
By decision
0
0
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
2–0
Cleve Tuttle
Submission (armbar)
Nationals: MMA Nationals 2002
December 14, 2002
2
2:27
Davenport, Iowa , United States
Win
1–0
Gin Minajev
Submission (triangle choke)
Nationals: MMA Nationals 2002
December 14, 2002
2
4:16
Davenport, Iowa , United States
References
^ IFL Bio
^ "Bart Palaszewski Team Miletich Muay Thai MMA Matt Hughes" . Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2013-08-25 .
^ "Bart Palaszewski vs. Anthony Pettis on tap for WEC 45 in December" . mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-30. Archived from the original on 2009-11-02.
^ "Karen Darabedyan vs. Bart Palaszewski added to WEC 47 main card in Ohio" . mmajunkie.com. 2010-01-26. Archived from the original on 2010-01-29.
^ "Lightweights Zach Micklewright vs. Bart Palaszewski targeted for WEC 50" . MMAjunkie.com.com. 2010-06-10. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12.
^ "Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus targeted for WEC 52 in November" . MMAjunkie.com. 2010-09-07. Archived from the original on 2010-09-10.
^ "PALASZEWSKI VS. SHALORUS MOVED TO WEC 53" . MMAweekly.com. 2010-09-15.[permanent dead link ]
^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV" . mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-31.
^ "Bart Palaszewski vs. Cody McKenzie Added to UFC 130 Undercard" . Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos . mmaweekly.com. April 10, 2011.
^ "Gleison Tibau Replaces Injured Cody McKenzie at UFC 130; Faces Bart Palaszewski" . Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos . mmaweekly.com. May 6, 2011.
^ "Oliveira Replaces Palaszewski, Faces Tibau at UFC 130" . sherdog.com. May 19, 2011.
^ "Bart Palaszewski vs. Tyson Griffin targeted for UFC 137 in Las Vegas" . mmajunkie.com. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
^ "Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski Agreed for UFC in Japan" . Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos . mmaweekly.com. 2011-11-19.
^ "Bart Palaszewski vs. Diego Nunes targeted for UFC on FX 5 in Indianapolis" . mmajunkie.com. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08.
^ "Miller-Palaszewski set for TUF 17 Finale in April" . mmajunkie.com. February 11, 2013.
^ "Leonard Garcia and Bart Palaszewski confirm UFC releases" . mmajunkie.com. May 8, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
^ MMAjunkie Staff (February 25, 2014). "Bart Palaszewski, one of two to beat UFC champ Pettis, confirms retirement" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 25, 2014 .
^ "Palaszewski Looking to Make Good Impression in WEC" . teamcurran.com. 2008-11-30. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-06 .
External links