Former WEC lightweight Bart ‘Bartimus’ Palaszewski (35-14) is dropping down to 145 lbs for his next fight, which will subsequently be his UFC debut. Palaszewski had been scheduled to fight Cody McKenzie at last months UFC 130 event, but an injury forced him out of the fight and he was replaced by Gleison Tibau. McKenzie would end up injured as well so the UFC booked Tibau against Rafaello Oliveira.
News of ‘Bartimus’ drop to featherweight comes via his manager, Brian Butler-Au of SuckerPunch Entertainment, who confirmed the news with NBCSPorts.com. Butler-Au did not disclose the specific reason for Palaszewski’s drop to 145 lbs.
There is currently no talk of when his UFC debut might be, nor a possible opponent.
Palaszewski has fought under Zuffa for the WEC seven times, going 1-2 and then 3-1 in two with the promotion. Both runs in the WEC are separated by one fight, a win at an XFO event in 2009. His last fight was in December, a split decision loss to Kamal Shalorus at the final WEC event. The loss ended a four fight win streak that included victories over WEC fighters Zach Micklewright, Karen Darabedyan, and Anthony Pettis.