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 kick boxing 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?

Palaszewski: The fight that took its biggest mental toll on me was losing to a triangle to Cole Escovedo back when I was 18 years old. Reason is because I am a Jiu-Jitsu guy who knew better. I just was too comfortable in the fight. Physically, my fight with Kola Koka was probably the toughest physically at the time. I just felt weak in that fight for some reason.

MMAWeekly: This weekend you will be defending your XFO title -add any pressure getting focused for fight?

Palaszewski: No pressure here. I am driven by having my hometown behind me in a fight. All my friends, students, family and training partners are there to watch me win. I have no choice but to give them that.

MMAWeekly: You will be on the XFO card facing the tough veteran Joe Jordan. What do you know about your opponent?

Palaszewski: I know he can wrestle, he has good hands, and he trains with a great camp. His BJJ defense is good. He matches badly with me though. I know this. My hands are better, my power is better in punches, my Jiu-Jitsu is better and I have good takedown defense. Of course I am one sided on this though. (laughs) NO, Joe is a great fighter all around and he has all the tools to win at our level. I have to respect that.

MMAWeekly: What are your overall thoughts about the upcoming fight?

Palaszewski: I think it will end in the first round or go the distance. I actually think Joe agrees with me. I can't wait till the fight is over so I can get back to MFS for some training. I think that this fight is a classic match up of two good fighters who come from good backgrounds. It will be a good one either way.

MMAWeekly: It should be a great one. Care to make a prediction?

Palaszewski: I only predict that the fight will happen. I won't Jinx myself. A fight is a fight- anything is possible, right?

MMAWeekly: Point taken. Beyond this event, do you have any other upcoming fights scheduled?

Palaszewski: I am scheduled for a re-match against Kola Koka in Super Brawl. That is April 30th. I don't want to release much more about that event, because details are still being worked out. My bout with Koka has been confirmed though.

MMAWeekly: That is also going to be a very exciting card. When you look over the Lightweight class there are a number of impressive names out there. Anyone in particular out there you would like to face in the future?

Palaszewski: Josh Thompson. I think he is well rounded and exciting. We match well for a good battle I think.

MMAWeekly: I am sure fans would agree. Now speaking of your weight class, care to comment at all on the current state of the 155lb. division in the UFC?

Palaszewski: What division?? Just kidding. I think 155lbers are a more exciting fight than heavy weights, but we get lower pay and no opportunities. I would love to see a LW title back in the UFC so I have something to chase, but who knows.

MMAWeekly: Speaking of chasing- What are your goals overall in this sport?

Palaszewski: Stick it out and hope for something big to happen for the lightweights I guess. I love fighting and it helps pay the bills for me right now. I plan on staying at it as long as I can.

MMAWeekly: Now before I let you run, fans may know you as the 'Bartimus', care to share the story behind that name?

Palaszewski: When I went for the EC Trials a guy called me Gladiator because he saw my fight with Szhor and when I came home and told this to Jeff, he ended up calling me The Great Bartimus. Sorta like Maximus in the Gladiator. I think that is what he was getting at. So now, I am just known as Bartimus. Jeff recently issued me a new nickname too. He has been calling me Bartsy, but that doesn't seem as tough, so I will keep Bartimus.

MMAWeekly: Bartsy huh? Not tough at all Bro. Lastly, anything you would like to say to your fans?

Palaszewski: Fans? I didn't know I had any! No, thanks to everyone and the support they have shown. Some of my fans travel far to watch me fight and spend a good dollar to do so. I am grateful for that. I love'em all.

MMAWeekly: Thanks for taking the time to speak with MMAWeekly Bart, and best of luck to you this weekend.

Palaszewski: You're welcome Tim. Thank you to MMAWeekly for the interest.