Bart Palaszewski

Bart K. Palaszewski (; 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. 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.

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. He gave Pettis his first professional loss via split decision.

Palaszewski defeated Karen Darabedyan via first round submission at WEC 47.

Palaszewski faced Zach Micklewright on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Palaszewski was expected to face Kamal Shalorus on November 11, 2010, at WEC 52., but the bout was moved to WEC 53 after Shalorus suffered a hand injury. 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.

Palaszewski was expected to face Cody McKenzie on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130. However, McKenzie was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Gleison Tibau. Palaszewski himself was forced from the Tibau bout with an injury and replaced by Rafaello Oliveira.

Palaszewski returned to face Tyson Griffin in a featherweight bout on October 29, 2011, at UFC 137. 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. Hioki defeated Palaszewski via unanimous decision.

Palaszewski faced Diego Nunes on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5., 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. Palaszewski lost the fight via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

On February in 2014, Palaszewski announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.

Personal life

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Tyson Griffin Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Diego Nunes World Extreme Cagefighting Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Alex Karalexis

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Cole Miller Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Diego Nunes Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Loss

Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) UFC 144

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

Tyson Griffin KO (punches) UFC 137

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kamal Shalorus Decision (split) WEC 53

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Zach Micklewright KO (punch) WEC 50

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Karen Darabedyan Submission (armbar) WEC 47

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Anthony Pettis Decision (split) WEC 45

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tyler Combs TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighting Organization 32

New Munster, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Anthony Njokuani TKO (punches) WEC 40

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Ricardo Lamas Decision (unanimous) WEC 39

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States Win

Alex Karalexis TKO (punches) WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jeff Cox TKO (punches) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) IFL: New Jersey

East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Loss

Chris Horodecki Decision (split) IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Loss

Deividas Taurosevicius Technical Submission (armbar) IFL: 2007 Team Championship Final

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Harris Sarmiento Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: 2007 Semifinals

East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Win

John Strawn KO (punch) IFL: Chicago

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Win

John Gunderson Decision (split) IFL: Moline

Moline, Illinois, United States Loss

Chris Horodecki Decision (split) IFL: Houston

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Ryan Schultz KO (punch) IFL: Championship Final

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Ivan Menjivar Decision (split) IFL: World Championship Semifinals

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Marcio Feitosa Decision (split) IFL: Gracie vs. Miletich

Moline, Illinois, United States Win

Steve Bruno KO (punch) IFL: Championship 2006

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

John Shackelford TKO (punches) IFL: Legends Championship 2006

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jay Ellis Submission (triangle choke) XFO 10: Explosion

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Wayne Weems TKO (punches) KOTC: Redemption on the River

Moline, Illinois, United States Win

Kyle Brees Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighting Organization 8

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Luke Spencer Submission (guillotine choke) Gracie Fighting Challenge

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Kyle Watson KO (punches) Total Fight Challenge 4

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Josh Koon KO (punches) XFO 7: Outdoor War

Island Lake, Illinois, United States Loss

Clay Guida Decision (unanimous) XFO 6: Judgement Day

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Andrew Chappelle Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 40

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Joe Jordan Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Fighting Organization 5

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Ryan Ackerman KO (punches) Madtown Throwdown 2

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Luke Caudillo Submission (guillotine choke) Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 2

Illinois, United States Win

Virgil Strzelecki KO (punch) XFO 4: International

McHenry, Illinois, United States Loss

Gesias Cavalcante Submission (guillotine choke) IHC 8: Ethereal

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Jay Estrada Submission (triangle choke) Xtreme Fighting Organization 3

McHenry, Illinois, United States Win

Masayuki Okude KO (punch) Zst 6

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Kolo Koka Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 36

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Komei Okada TKO (punches) SuperBrawl 35

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Tim Newland Submission (armbar) XFO 1: The Kickoff

Fontana, Wisconsin, United States Win

Mark Long Submission (armbar) Extreme Challenge 55

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Jason Bender Decision (unanimous) IHC 6: Inferno

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Jay Estrada TKO Extreme Challenge 54

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Tom Kirk Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 51

St. Charles, Illinois, United States Win

Kendrick Johnson TKO (submission to punches) Shooto: Midwest Fighting

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Carlos Armanqui Concha Submission (armbar) ICC 2: Rebellion

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Loss

Darrell Smith Decision Freestyle Combat Challenge 9

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Brian Szohr Decision TCC: Battle of the Badges

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Jim Bruketta Decision River Plex Rumble

Peoria, Illinois, United States Loss

Cole Escovedo TKO (submission to punches) UA 1: The Genesis

Hammond, Indiana, United States Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Cleve Tuttle Submission (armbar) Nationals: MMA Nationals 2002

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Gin Minajev Submission (triangle choke) Nationals: MMA Nationals 2002

Davenport, Iowa, United States