Report: WEC signs Bart Palaszewski

Sherdog.com is reporting that Jeff Curran announced this past weekend during the opening of a new school in Crystal Lake, Ill. that one of his Team Curran member and lightweight competitor Bart Palaszewski has signed a six-fight contract with the World Extreme Cagefighting organization.

Palaszewski had been a staple of the International Fight League’s 155 pound division before it closed operations in recent months. Compiling a 8-4 record in the IFL, Palaszewski was perhaps best known for his rivalry with Chris Horodecki. Despite going 0-2 head-to-head against Horodecki, Palaszewski fought him tough both occasions, losing via split decision in each fight.

Palaszewski had been in the midst of a three-fight losing streak before recording a second round TKO over former UFC fighter Jeff Cox during Adrenaline MMA’s inaugural show on June 14. Now on a winning track, Palaszewki is excited about the prospect of competing in the WEC.

“I think I match up very well with a lot of guys in the WEC; they’ve got a lot of strikers and I think I’m going to put on some phenomenal wars,” Palaszewski is quoted as saying by Sherdog. “If I get two really good shows, really good fights against ranked opponents, I think I’ll be able to get a title shot.”

The WEC lightweight division is anchored by champion Jamie Varner and includes contenders such as former champion “Razor” Rob McCullough, Richard Crunkilton, Alex Karalexis, Marcus Hicks, Ed Ratcliff, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and Shane Roller.