THE CANADIAN PRESS
It took Bart (Bartimus) Palaszewski 49 fights to make it to the UFC.
And the tattooed bantamweight, who faces Hatsu Hioki at UFC 144 in Japan this weekend in his second UFC outing, doesn’t mind having taken the long road to get there.
"I paid my dues and I like it. I went heavy on the way," Palaszewski said. "I’ve seen it all pretty much.
"I’ve dealt with the scummiest of the scum, as far as promotions go. I’ve dealt with the nicest people and the best promotions in the world as well."
"I don’t have a sprint of career, I guess you could say," he added. "But I want to keep moving up."
The 28-year-old Palaszewski (36-14) celebrated his UFC debut last time out with a knockout of the night performance in his first-round win over Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 in October.
He was rewarded with a spot on the UFC’s return to Japan card in Tokyo.
"It’s a historic event in a way for the UFC — first time under the Zuffa (ownership) banner. A stacked card. Huge arena. It’s definitely an honour to be on the card."
The main event at Saitama Super Arena features Frankie (The Answer) Edgar defending his lightweight title against former WEC title-holder Ben Henderson. In the co-main event, former light-heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson takes in Ryan (Darth) Bader.
Palaszewski has paid his dues, recalling he once had to get a note from his parents to skip high school so he could attend the weigh-in for an amateur fight.
"When I started fighting, I just did it for fun. I loved it," he said. "A lot of the fights I didn’t even get paid. A lot of fights, we lost money because I had to drive down or pay for my own hotel and things.
"But I’m still here. I still love it. It’s my job and a hobby, killing two birds with one stone. It’s pretty cool."
Palaszewski has fought in Japan before, knocking out Masayuki Okude in 2004.
He was actually cornering friend and training partner Jeff (Big Frog)Curran that night but the promoters said they wouldn’t fly him out unless he fought too.
So he did.
Palaszewski asked to fight this time. Thinking he matched up well with Hioki (25-4-2), Palaszewski asked to meet the Japanese veteran.
For a while it seemed a ‘be careful what you wish for’ scenario as he pondered the 14-hour trip from Chicago to Japan.
But he felt better when he learned he can keep his body clock on U.S. time — "because jet lag is definitely a bitch to deal with," he explained.
In order to air the pay-per-view card live Saturday night in North America, the UFC is scheduling the fights early Sunday Japan time. The first bout is slated for 9:30 a.m. local time, with the pay-per-view card kicking off at noon local.
Curran, who lost to Hioki at a 2006 Pride event, usually corners Palaszewski but he won’t be able to return the favour in Japan this time because of a scheduling conflict.
Hard to miss with his spiky dyed hair and body ink, Palaszewski turned heads with his fists at UFC 137 in his debut at 145 pounds after fighting as a lightweight. After hurting Griffin, he put him away with a flurry of punches at the fence.
In his post-fight interview in the cage, an emotional Palaszewski noted he had broken his hand in the win. "It’s worth it," he added.
He escaped the knife, relying on rest instead.
"Definitely surgery in the future though. It wasn’t bad enough where I needed surgery at the time but it was bad enough where it’s not going to be the same ever again and I’m going to need surgery," he said with a laugh.
He blames the injury on over-exuberance in trying to finish Griffin. Some of the punches were poorly constructed.
Palaszewski, who made his pro debut in January 2002, worked his way through regional promotions, the IFL and WEC before getting his UFC shot.
And he had to wait some more after being summoned. He was slated to debut at UFC 130 last May, but had to pull out through injury.
Suffering from dizziness and nausea, he thought he had a concussion. It turned out to be a virus in his inner ear.
"It sucked. I was dizzy for six months," he said.
He was left with some damaged nerves and lost part of the hearing in one of his ears.
"But it’s not a big deal," he said dryly. "I don’t need good hearing for my job."
Palaszewski’s performance against Griffin as all the more impressive considering his rough weight cut (he made the 146-pound limit but Griffin failed to make weight).
Palaszewski had spent years trying to become a big lightweight. Now he found himself starting camp at 188 pounds, so he had to lose 42 pounds in 10 weeks.
This time, he started out much lighter and says it’s been a lot easier.
Fans will notice some more ink when Palaszewski steps into the cage this weekend. He had some 15 hours work done after the Griffin win.
His favourite design is dedicated to four-year-old daughter Natalia — a cherub angel sitting behind a heart with her name — on his forearm.
"She’s my little princess," he said.
