Palaszewski Drops to Featherweight, Meets Griffin at UFC 137

According to a Wednesday release from Palaszewski’s management at VF Elite Sports Agency, “Bartimus” and Tyson Griffin have agreed to a featherweight contest at UFC 137.

“It’s gonna be a rough weight-cut, but I am going to do it the right way, starting early,” Palaszewski stated. “That’s just the price I have to pay to have some size advantage. I am excited that the chase for the featherweight gold starts on Oct. 29.”

A veteran of more than 40 fights -- his UFC debut will make 50 -- the well-traveled Palaszewski compiled a 4-3 record during his WEC stint, including wins over Anthony Pettis and Alex Karalexis. The Polish native had a four-fight winning streak snapped with a December decision loss to Kamal Shalorus at the final WEC event.

Griffin, 27, returned to the 145-pound division on June 26 after more than five years at 155 pounds, successfully outpointing Manny Gamburyan. The Californian’s move to featherweight was brought about by consecutive losses to Evan Dunham, Takanori Gomi and Nik Lentz in 2010, as well as a knee injury.

UFC 137 is set to take place at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be topped by a welterweight title bout ptting UFC king Georges St. Pierre against former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz.