Your Ad Here

International Fight League (IFL) on Thursday announced several bouts to round out its May 16 card at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Pennsylvanian fighter Lamont Lister takes on Team Quest fighter Aaron Stark. Lister comes off a stoppage victory over Oleg Savitsky at YAMMA 1, while Stark submitted Dallas Browning at Sport Fight 21.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Nick Calandrino faces off with Boston native John Howard. Calandrino submitted George Sullivan at Battle Cage Xtreme 4, while Howard knocked out Jose Rodriguez at Ring of Combat 18.

Oregonian fighter Joey Guel takes on former IFL middleweight champion Matt "Suave" Horwich. Guel lost a decision to Falaniko Vitale at X-1: Champions in his last bout. Horwich also lost recently, dropping a decision to Ryan McGivern at an IFL event in Las Vegas.

IFL draft participant Josh Souder takes on lightweight wrestler Zac George. Souder comes off a submission victory over Craig Meagher at Legends of Fighting 8, while George dropped a decision to Mike Joy at Sport Fight 21.

Brazilian submission fighter Fabricio Camoes takes on Ring of Combat lightweight champion Jim Miller. Camoes submitted Joe Camacho at a recent ShoXC event, while Miler scored a decision over Bart Palaszewski at the recent IFL event in New Jersey.

Danillo Villefort, another IFL draft participant, takes on Team Bomb Squad fighter Mike Massenzio. Villefort earned a TKO stoppage victory over Todd Carney at Word Fighting Championships 5. Massenzio enters the bout having submitted Lance Everson at Ring of Combat 17.

Already announced for the card are three championship fights. IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz defends his title against New York lightweight Deividas Taurosevicius, middleweight champion Ryan McGivern defends his title against New Jersey middleweight Dan Miller, and heavyweight champion Roy Nelson defends his title against Hammer House fighter Brandon Lee Hinkle.

It didn't take long for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to find a new opponent for Rashad Evans after former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell had to drop out due to an injury. The former "Ultimate Fighter" winner will now face James Irvin in London.

"I was probably upset about the Chuck thing for maybe a couple of hours, then they was telling me I was fighting James Irvin and I was like, 'Aw man I've got to snap out of that, that kid's just knocking out everybody,'" said Evans. "I can't be on his highlight reel so I've got to train really hard."

The fight between Evans and Liddell was set to headline the card and while no formal announcement has been made by the UFC, this new match-up will likely be a co-main event with another fight.

While Evans remains focused on Irvin he still expressed his disappointment about the fight cancellation with Liddell.

"I definitely didn't expect it you know. I was very excited for my fight with Chuck Liddell, but I guess we'll have to do it another time," Evans stated.

"I'm a little bit disappointed, but I think I'm at the point where I'm kind of over all of it and focusing on my new opponent. He's very tough and brings a lot of things to the table so I definitely can't go in there being sad cause I'm not fighting Chuck."

This isn't the first change of opponents Evans has had to deal with as he was originally slated to face Thiago Silva as a part of the upcoming UFC 84 card on May 24.

"This is my third opponent so hopefully nothing happens to James Irvin," Evans commented with a laugh. "I hope he has a good training camp."

Obviously, the match-up with Irvin brings a different dynamic to Evans and his training camp, but it's something that he along with head trainer Greg Jackson will analyze over the next six weeks.

"I think that James is a bit more explosive than Chuck," Evans stated. "He's very explosive and he's an athletic fighter so he definitely presents his own problems being that fighter. He's a game opponent and he's definitely going to be a tough fight."

Evans is already in New Mexico working alongside teammates such as Keith Jardine, Nathan Marquardt, and Joey Villasenor who are all preparing for fights around this same time as his.

And while the former Michigan State wrestler is now focused on James Irvin, he hopes Liddell comes back soon and a fight between the two can happen.

"I hope James stays healthy the whole camp and I wish Chuck the best on his recovery so we can get in there and do it."

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Unlimited Wrestling

Unlimited Martial Arts

Shoutbox


Free shoutbox @ ShoutMix