IFL announces rosters for Mohegan Sun

The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s first team-based professional mixed martial arts league, today announced the field for its event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., set for Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m. The matchup between the Pitbulls, based in New York and coached by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie, taking on the 2006 IFL World Team Championship finalist, the Wolfpack, based in Portland, will be shown the same night on Fox Sports Net at 11 p.m. in most markets. The Dragons, coached by MMA legend Carlos Newton, battle the Scorpions, led by MMA and wrestling icon Don Frye, in the other team matchup on the 10-bout card.

The rosters for the four teams are dotted with IFL standouts, including Jamal Patterson of the Pitbulls (1-0 team, 4-1 individual), who will take on Matt Horwich of the Wolfpack (1-0, 3-2) in a light heavyweight battle that represents the first rematch in IFL history. Patterson defeated Horwich, then a member of the Tiger Sharks, at the IFL Legends Championship in April 2006. Another key bout in the Pitbulls-Wolfpack matchup pits heavyweights Bryan Vetell and Devin Cole. Wolfpack lightweight Ryan Schultz makes his return to the ring for the first time since a knockout loss at the IFL World Team Championship final at Mohegan Sun last December. 

Among the intriguing matchups as the Dragons (0-1, 2-3) take on the Scorpions (0-1, 2-3) are the bouts between heavyweights Rafael Feijao and Chad Griggs, and between light heavyweights Wojtek Kaszowski and Mike Whitehead. Dragons middleweight Brent Beauparlant also takes on newcomer Seth Baczynski in a key matchup.

The evening is part of the full 11-event IFL 2007 schedule, the most comprehensive advance schedule in the history of fight sports. Below are the matchups (bout order to be determined by coaches’ choice prior to weigh-in):

Dragons (0-1 team, 2-3 indiv.) vs. Scorpions (0-1, 2-3)

155 lb: Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (1-0, 5-1) vs. Cam Ward (Tigard, Ore.) (0-1, 4-2)

170 lb: Gideon Ray (Roselle, Ill.) (0-0, 12-5-1) vs. Gabe Casillas (Tucson, Ariz.) (0-0, 9-6)

185 lb: Brent Beauparlant (Montreal, Quebec) (1-3, 4-4) vs. Seth Baczynski (Phoenix) (0-0, 4-3)

205 lb: Wojtek Kaszowski (Winnipeg, Manitoba) (0-3, 0-5) vs. Mike Whitehead (Central Point, Ore.) (2-0, 17-5)

265 lb: Rafael Feijao (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (1-0, 3-0) vs. Chad Griggs (Tucson, Ariz.) (1-0, 5-0)

Wolfpack (1-0, 3-2) vs. Pitbulls (1-0, 4-1)

155 lb: Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) (1-2, 14-9-1) vs. TBD

170 lb: Mike Dolce (Gresham, Ore.) (1-0, 3-0) vs. Delson Heleno (2-1, 9-2)

185 lb: Gerald Harris (Portland, Ore.) (0-0, 3-0) vs. Fabio Leopoldo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) (2-0, 4-1)

205 lb: Matt Horwich (Gresham, Ore.) (2-2, 17-8-1) vs. Jamal Patterson (Hoboken, N.J.) (2-1, 2-1)

265 lb: Devin Cole (Medford, Ore.) (2-4, 6-5) vs. Bryan Vetell (New York) (1-1, 1-1)

Tickets are available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, through www.ifl.tv or via Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, by telephone or at Ticketmaster outlets.