This Saturday MMA action returns to the state of Illinois as the X-Treme Fighting Organization presents XFO 5. The main event of this card will feature current XFO Champion Bart Palaszewski defending his lightweight title against the always tough Joe Jordan. Palaszewski is a local up and coming fighter that is coming off several impressive wins. "Bartimus" possesses both devastating KO power and an impressive BJJ background- both coming with a little assistance from the 'Big Frog'. MMAWeekly's Tim Spagnola recently had the opportunity to speak with "Bartimus" to learn about his thoughts regarding this weekend's anticipated match-up, what it is like training with Jeff Curran, and overall future plans in this sport.
MMAWeekly is pleased to feature Bart "Bartimus" Palaszewski as one of this week's 'Names in the Game'.
MMAWeekly:
Bart- thanks for taking time out of your training to speak with MMAWeekly. Let's talk a bit about your background- How did you first get involved with MMA?
Palaszewski:
I began training with Jeff Curran at his original school on May 15th, 1999. I was doing Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing. I loved it. After I went to see my first NHB fight I saw myself doing that someday. I was sixteen at that time. I competed for the first time in the Pan Ams of 2000 in Jiu-Jitsu.
MMAWeekly:
And today, who are you currently training with?
Palaszewski:
The Big Frog! I never stopped training with Jeff since the beginning. Jeff and I share a boxing coach. His name is Dr. Doug Mango. He has helped not only me, but the whole team.
MMAWeekly:
And speaking of the Big Frog, what is it like to have the opportunity to train and work with an experienced fighter like Jeff Curran?
Palaszewski:
It's great. I have been spoiled since the beginning. Jeff is a small guy and at the time when I started training I was smaller than him. He made me his training partner all the time in his own classes. Plus, I was a bit annoying so he always picked on me. I think that is what toughened me up for this sport.
MMAWeekly:
You currently hold a professional MMA record of 12-6 correct?
Palaszewski:
Actually my professional record is 13-6. I have a :10 sec KO victory over Jimmy Bruketta. That was my first pro bout. It was on a kickboxing card in Peoria, IL so for some reason I never got the credit for it. I started fighting very young. I was 17 when I took my 2 fights with Brian Szhor who out weighed me by like 20 lbs. I fought him twice and got 2 tough decisions. My decision losses to Bruketta and Darrell Smith were terrible decisions. I won both of those fights and everyone knew it. So, regardless I got some losses early on. Jeff and I decided to step back and re-group. I won the Extreme Challenge Trials Tourney and Extreme Challenge Nationals. That was 5 good wins right there. Since then we have been doing fine. A couple upsets, but everything is good.
MMAWeekly:
A :10 KO? Now speaking of your recent victories, you are coming off three straight wins and have shown impressive KO power- Where is your ground game at this point in your training?
Palaszewski:
When it comes down to it, Jiu-Jitsu is in my blood and bones. It runs through my heart I guess you could say. So, getting my hands better and better just allows me to not sweat being taken down. My Jiu-Jitsu continues to get better everyday. I still train with a gi on. I am a purple belt and look forward to winning medals in BJJ tourneys before I make my brown belt someday.
MMAWeekly:
To date- what has been your toughest fight? And why?
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