Bart Palaszewski will play spoiler tonight when he beats Hatsu Hioki by decision at UFC 144.
This is by no means the popular pick, but Palaszewski is a tremendous fighter that is receiving very little buzz. He’s won five of his last six fights, including victories over Tyson Griffin and Anthony Pettis, but Hioki just might be his toughest competition yet.
For those that don’t know who Hioki is, he sports a 25-4 MMA record and really has the complete package. Hioki’s ground game is his bread and butter, but his standup is also a strength. But when Hioki steps into the Octagon with Palaszewski, he has to be on his game.
Hioki is the favorite in this fight, but Palaszewski is a gamer. I strongly believe that Palaszewski will have the advantage on the feet, and he will waste no time in getting in Hioki’s face and making this a grueling bout.
Hioki will try to get this bout to the ground where he has the best chance to win the fight, but Palaszewski will be tough to get to the ground. Even if Hioki gets the fight there, Palaszewski’s ground game is solid and he can be tough to submit.
What Hioki has going for him is that this fight is taking place on his soil. It’s in Japan, which is where he’s from and has had numerous fights. He will have the Japanese crowd backing him, and sometimes that can will a fighter to victory.
But Palaszewski is a veteran, and this is where his 50 MMA fights come into play. He’s not going to let the moment get to him.
When the referee points to both fighters and tells them to get it on, Palaszewski is going to take it to Hioki with unrelenting pressure. From the start of the fight until the finish, he’s going to be in Hioki’s face throwing bombs and win a decision.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com