WEC 53 Preview: The Prelims

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Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus

This match is easily overlooked given the higher-profile bouts on the card, but it has as much “Fight of the Night” potential as any. That’s because both men like to slug.

Shalorus’ penchant for macho-style trades makes him a lot of fun to watch, until you see the phenomenal ease with which he takes opponents down. Then you wonder, “If a guy can plant people on the mat that easily, why the heck would he ever risk trading on the feet?”

Palaszewski is a veteran who’s been largely underrated in his career, sneaking up on people with bigger names and gaining the wealth of experience that makes him a tough test for up-and-comers. He also takes one heck of a punch and has a good grasp of the standup game, using every trick in the book to mix up shots and hurt opponents.

The key factor here is Shalorus’ ability to change mindsets, should he have to, when he begins to force exchanges on the feet. Shalorus’ wrestling is as good as any WEC fighter, but he seems content to stay upright because of his strong chin and heavy hands. Often, Shalorus will simply plant his feet and wing away with the kind of zeal you rarely see in someone from a non-striking background. Like Palaszewski, he seems to be a natural born fighter.

If Shalorus mixes it up and uses takedowns to grind on Palaszewski in the opening round, it will open up all the levels of his game, making it a much easier fight. However, if Shalorus succumbs to his natural temptation to trade and push his wrestling aside (which he did too much of against Jamie Varner), this could be lot closer, likely going to a decision.

I like Shalorus here in a good scrap, and think that the improving Iranian is a real dark horse with the pending UFC merger. In terms of pure wrestling, there’s nobody in the division who he doesn’t match up well with. He has the hands and the chin, and just needs to mix them up more to make each element even more effective for MMA.