Local Fighter Climbs Into Cage This Saturday

Bart “Bartimus” Palaszewski seems quite sure of himself when it comes to his UFC fight Saturday evening against Tyson Griffin.

“I’m going to knock him out,” Palaszewski said matter-of-factly. 

He’ll be taking on Griffin at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Palaszewski, whose MMA record is 33-13, is a 28-year-old graduate of McHenry High School — West Campus. He was born in Warsaw, Poland.

He trains at in . He doesn’t have a regular job, he actually fights for a living. He’s been an MMA fighter since high school. 

Palaszewski spoke from his cell phone Tuesday afternoon. He was at O’Hare Airport, waiting for a plane to take him to Las Vegas. He was flying with his trainer, Doug Mango.

“Bart is going to stand with Griffin, control the tempo of the fight and hopefully land the heavier shots,” Mango said.

At featherweight, Palaszewski said he dropped ten pounds for the Griffin matchup. Griffin’s record is 15-5. Palaszewski said he and his opponent would weigh in at about 145 pounds.

“I think Bart is a really tough, well-rounded fighter,” Griffin is quoted as saying on his online UFC profile. “He is dangerous on his feet and on the ground, so I’ll have to be sharp everywhere. I think tough guys like (Palaszewski) bring out the best in me.” 

Palaszewski said Griffin has had fewer fights. But Griffin has had tougher opponents. He said it’s time for him to step up.

“(Griffin is) a talented wrestler, but he likes to strike, which is going to work out for both of us since I’m a striker first and foremost,” Palaszewski is quoted as saying in his online UFC profile.

On the same card Saturday, Jeff Curran – owner of Curran’s Gym – also will be fighting. Curran will be taking on Scott Jorgensen, one of the top-ranked 135 pounders in the UFC.