IFL April 4

FL East Rutherford, N.J.
Friday, April 4, 2008


Additional Bouts
155 lbs.: Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) (7-1 IFL, 11-1 overall MMA) vs. TBD

American Top Team vs. Miletich Fighting Systems
145 lbs.: TBD vs. LC Davis (Kansas City, Mo.) (2-0, 9-1)
170 lbs.: Emyr Bussade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (0-0, 10-5) vs. Rory Markham (Chicago) (6-2, 12-3)
205 lbs.: Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) (0-0, 6-0) vs. Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.) (5-3, 13-3)

Midwest Combat vs. Renzo Gracie Academy
155 lbs.: Bart Palaszewski (Wonderlake, Ill.) (8-3, 29-10) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) (3-0, 9-2)
170 lbs.: TBD vs. Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (6-3, 13-4)
*205 lbs.: **Vladimir Matyushenko (Belarus) (5-0, 20-3) vs. Jamal Patterson (Jersey City, N.J.) (4-1, 4-1)

Additional Championship Bouts
*170 lbs.: **Jay Hieron (Freeport, N.Y.) (6-2, 14-4) vs. Mark Miller (Chicago) (2-1, 8-2)
*145 lbs.: **Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (5-0, 9-1) vs. Shad Lierley (Seattle) (2-1, 2-1)

*Championship Bout
**Current Titleholder


Analysis: First off, I like that they have divorced two of their title fioghts from the team concept. This allows them to put on the best possible match-up, not just the one that fits the teams. Even the Matyushenko vs Patterson is a quality match-up. This is in contrast to the Heavyweight title Match coming up with Roy Nelson facing off with Fabiano Scherner, a fight that seems to match up the champ against a guy undeserving of the shot. The Renzo vs Midwest Combat Match-ups look to be some quality fights.

Should be interesting to see who they put in the fight with Horodecki. At this point Horodecki needs a win to boost his rep back up a little bit. I can't see anyone to challenging being thrown in there. As evidenced by the Schultz fight, Chris needs to work on his guard game and also his grappling/wrestling skills. Give him a can to run a highlight reel, do some magic on and in the mean time he can be tweaking his training to become more well rounded.

Palaszewski vs Taurosevicius should be a great match-up. Taurosevicius pulled the upset in their previous match, notwithstanding a little controversy. Tauro was able to lock in an armbar, and the ref stopped the fight, leaving Bartimus somewhat incredulous. The winner of this fight will be the nominal #1 contender with a title shot waiting in the wings.

Fabiano vs Lierly looks to be decent, but Lierly is a bit green and will have problems with Fabiano's well versed BJJ skills. Lierly showed he could bang a little in his highly regarded match-up with Chris Horodecki, but I see Wagney being able to impose his will and getting a sub within the first couple of rounds.

Curious about Lew Polley being included on this fight card. He is listed on the Feb. card fighting for XtremeCouture and is now listed on this card Fighting for American Top Team. I know Polley has been affiliated with ATT in the past but this is leaving me a bit confused.