The IFL "New Blood New Battles" kicks off tonight, May 16, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

Three championship belts will be on the line as three of the IFL’s top dogs go to war with some fierce competition including late replacement, Brad Imes, taking on "Big Country" Roy Nelson in what should turn out to be a 265lb slug fest.

As usual RedSweat.com will be bringing you all of the action starting with the quick results for the prelims at 7:30pm ET. Up to the minute play by play commentary for the main card will begin at 8:30pm ET sharp.

Please bookmark this post for easy access to IFL results and subscribe to my feed for live results of all major upcoming mixed martial arts events in the future.

Also feel free to stick around after the fights for a discussion. Leave as many comments as you like and tell us what you thought about the fights.

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Important news, announcements and interesting moments during IFL

• Dan Miller upsets Ryan McGivern and becomes the IFL middleweight champ in only his second appearance in the organization.

IFL "New Blood New Battles" Quick Results

• Frank Latina vs John Franchi (Franchi wins via Rear Naked Choke at 2:19 in the 1st round)
• Lamont Lister vs Aaron Stark (Stark wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds)
• Nick Calandrino vs John Howard (Howard wins via TKO (Strikes) at 2:24 in the 3rd round)
• Joey Guel vs Matt Horwich (Horwich wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds)
• Josh Souder vs Zac George (Souder wins via TKO (Strikes) at 0:47 in the 1st round.)
• Danillo Villefort vs Mike Massenzio (Villefort wins via Knee Bar at 3:25 in the 1st round)
• Ryan McGivern vs Dan Miller (Dan Miller wins via Knee Bar at 3:36 in the 1st round)
• Ryan Schultz vs Deividas Taurosevicius (Schultz wins via Unanimous Decision after 3)
• Roy Nelson vs Brad Imes (Roy Nelson wins via TKO (Punches) at 2:55 in the 1st round)

IFL "New Blood New Battles" Main Card Play by Play Commentary
(Main card subject to change)

Joey Guel vs Matt Horwich (Middleweight Bout)

• Round 1: Horwich comes out with a couple of kicks and punches and pressures Guel up against the ropes. After some knees in the clinch the fighters are separated by the ref. They go right back into the clinch after a few traded shots. Horwich lands a couple of knees to the side of Guel. The fighters are separated once again and they start to trade more punches. Joey lands a knee as Horwich tries to time it and take Guel down. The crowd is starting to boo as the fighters remain inside the clinch. Horwich lands a couple of solid punches and then goes for the single leg takedown with only 20 seconds left on the clock. He starts to ground and pound landing a few good shots and the round ends.
• Round 2: Horwich comes right out with a barrage of strikes that land and they end up in the clinch once again. They separate and start to trade as Horwich keeps coming forward stalking Guel. Matt throws a nice knee and follows with a combo. Right back into the clinch, they are soon separated by the ref. Matt drops levels for a takedown but is unsuccessful. Back in the clinch, they stalemate for a good 10 to 15 seconds. They are finally separated and start to trade punches. Horwich takes Guel to the mat in the corner. Matt works to pass but can’t so he lets some punches go. They are both starting to wear down as the rounds ends with neither doing much on the ground.
• Round 3: Matt comes right out with a kick followed by a combo with punches. This time Horwich takes him to the mat with plenty of time left in the round. He passes nicely to side control and starts to work some left hands to the face. He traps Guel’s right arm momentarily but Joey escapes quickly. Matt continues to control Joey on the ground landing a few shots here and there. He starts to pick up the pace landing several hard left hands to the face. Guel is helpless as Horwich continues his ground and pound assault. The ref puts them back on their feet and they trade shots. Guel reverses Matt’s takedown and ends up on top but with only 5 seconds left on the clock there is nothing he can do.
• Final Result: Matt Horwich wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds.

Josh Souder vs Zac George (Lightweight Bout)

• Round 1: Both come out swinging and Souder lands a solid right hand. They clinch in the corner momentarily. Back in the center of the ring, Souder rushes in on George in the corner and unloads with a lighting fast barrage of punches crumbling Zac George who can do nothing but cover up in the corner of the ring. The ref jumps in to stop the fight.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Final Result: Souder wins via TKO (Strikes) at 0:47 in the 1st round.

Danillo Villefort vs Mike Massenzio (Middleweight Bout)

• Round 1: Massenzio shoots for a takedown. Villefort lands a solid body kick. After some scrambling, Massenzio gets the takedown into full guard. He starts to work some ground and pound posturing up and coming down with punches. Villefort goes for an armbar in the corner but can’t execute. Mike returns the favor with some nice shots. The action is paused so the fighters can be moved to the center of the ring. Massenzio lands 3 or 4 nice solid left hands. Villefort goes for a toe hold and switches into a nice knee bar. He locks it in and Massenzio is forced to tap.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Final Result: Danillo Villefort wins via Knee Bar at 3:25 in the 1st round.

Ryan McGivern vs Dan Miller (Middleweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: McGivern lands a solid right to start things out and Miller returns with a nice left hook of his own. They continue to trade big shots and finally lock up against the ropes. Miller lands a solid right low leg kick. McGivern throws an uppercut and lands a nice solid kick to the body. Miller reverses McGivern’s takedown and ends up on top in a weak guillotine attempt from Ryan. Dan passes to half guard and the fighters are brought back to the center of the ring. Miller works to pass, stuck in butterfly guard. McGivern lands a couple of big up kicks and Miller goes right into a knee bar. McGivern tries to escape but it allows Dan to sink in the knee bar deep and Ryan is forced to tap.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Round 4:
• Round 5:
• Final Result: Dan Miller wins via Knee Bar at 3:36 in the 1st round.

Ryan Schultz vs Deividas Taurosevicius (Lightweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: Ryan gets the action going with a low leg kick. Deividas lands a nice body kick and another powerful kick to the leg. Deividas just misses with a lightning fast head kick that goes right over the head of Ryan. Schultz looks like he catches a finger in the eye during a combo from Deividas. Ryan fires back and lands a big right hand that almost sends Taurosevicius through the ropes. Deividas lands a right hook of his own but Ryan comes right back and they are banging here in the first round. They clinch in the corner of the ring and Ryan lands a nice knee to the body followed by another. They lock up again in the corner and Taurosevicius starts to work some knees with a questionable knee that might have caught the family jewels. They circle around the ring and the round ends.
• Round 2: Deividas just misses with another head kick. Taurosevicius lands a big left hand and misses with another head kick. He follows with another big right hand and starts to stalk Schultz who fires back. They clinch and Schultz gets the takedown into full guard. Deividas works for an armbar up against the ropes. Ryan escapes and drops a couple of bombs. Taurosevicius continues to look for an arm from the bottom. With little action from Schultz the ref brings them back to their feet. They start to exchange and once again clinch before time runs out.
• Round 3: Schultz shoots right in for a takedown and slams Deividas to the mat. Taurosevicius starts to work his hips fishing for a submission. He almost gets an armbar into an omaplata but Ryan escapes. Schultz gains side control but Deividas reverses and ends up in side control. Taurosevicius works for full mount but can’t get it. He works a couple of small shots to the head. Ryan almost gets to his feet but Deividas works his way to the back of Schultz. Ryan escapes and lands a big bomb, ending up on top on the ground. He starts to ground and pound and Taurosevicius works for another armbar. Once again Schultz escapes. The round comes to an end.
• Round 4: Taurosevicius shoots right in for a single leg and gets the takedown. Ryan scrambles and Deividas tries to work his way to the back of Schultz with no success. Back to their feet, Schultz takes Deividas back to the canvas. Ryan comes down with a right that just misses. Taurosevicius tries to set up the arm. He sinks in the armbar deep and starts to extend but Ryan hangs in there. Schultz slams Deividas and escapes the armbar in amazing fashion. Ryan is now on top in full guard. Schultz lands a couple of short hammer fists. He follows with some right hands and passes to side control momentarily. Ryan comes down with a hard right and jumps right into full mount. He starts to flurry and Deividas turns his back, giving up back control. Ryan works to sink in the rear naked choke but Taurosevicius defends well turning turning his head and tucking his chin. Ryan can’t execute the choke and time runs out.
• Round 5: Deividas looks like he might have caught Schultz with a right but it turns out Ryan slipped and didn’t stumble from the punch. He rushes in and goes for a guillotine choke. Ryan is in no danger as he ends up in side control. Ryan unloads with some big right hands as Taurosevicius works for a single leg. Deividas scrambles and ends up on the bottom. Ryan unloads two more big right hands to the face. Deividas starts to work the rubber guard momentarily. Ryan lands some more big punches. This fight is action packed and still isn’t slowing down much. Schultz continues to pound Deividas with big rights, now starting to steal the fight. A couple more shots to the body in the corner and the fight is over. It was an amazing display of cardio, striking and ground work from both fighters.
• Final Result: Ryan Schultz wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds.

Roy Nelson vs Brad Imes (Heavyweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: They start to bang and Nelson lands a nice stiff left. Roy lands a couple more left hooks and Imes almost lands a big knee. Nelson lands a big right hand that sends Imes stumbling to stay on his feet. Nelson, smelling the blood, rushes in and starts to unload. He connects with a left and then a combo. He starts to pick Brad apart but Imes is hanging in there. Roy keeps landing left hands. He lands another big right and starts to tee off on Imes. He unloads in the corner with a barrage of punches and Brad is in trouble. They lock up and Brad almost goes through the ropes. Nelson continues to pummel Brad with rights and lefts. He lands another big right. Nelson is just one big punch away from finishing the fight. Roy lands a beautiful right left right combo that sends Imes to the mat for the last time. The ref steps in before Nelson can finish Brad off with another big punch.
• Round 2:
  Round 3:
• Round 4:
• Round 5:
• Final Result: Roy Nelson wins via TKO (Punches) at 2:55 in the 1st round.

The International Fight League has attempted to fuse the advantages of both ring and cage into one unique structure called "The Hex".

The IFL announced their plans on Thursday to debut the new six sided ring at their upcoming August 15th show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ. The prototype is currently under construction and upon completion will be stored in Las Vegas until the event.

The Hex, which measures 24 feet across (27′ 8.5" end to end), was created to give the fighters a larger fighting environment.

The new ring was created in collaboration with Throwdown Industries and will most likely become part of Throwdown’s growing repertoire of cages and rings available for sale on their website in the near future. The Hex is going to be available for athletes and coaches to try out prior to the August 15th event.

“From a production and live event standpoint, the ring has proven to be the most fan and media friendly environment, as well as providing the safest possible environment for our athletes,” said Jay Larkin, IFL CEO. “The Hex allows for the larger surface that is utilized in other MMA organizations while still retaining the advantages we have enjoyed with the ring.”

While no match ups have been revealed for the August 15th card as of yet, the IFL states that entire fight card will be announced in June.

The IFL (International Fight League) is coming to the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ tomorrow, April 4 for their "New Blood New Battles" event.

Three of the IFL’s toughest fighters will defend their titles for what should be an explosive night of mixed martial arts action. Vladimir Matyushenko will look to clean the mat with Jamal Patterson in a light heavyweight match up. Submission specialist Wagnney Fabiano will defend his featherweight title against Shad Lierley and Jay Hieron will battle Mark Miller for the welterweight championship.

RedSweat.com will be bringing you up to the minute results and live play by play action. Quick results for the prelims will begin at 7:30pm ET and live play by play commentary for the main card will start at 8:30pm ET sharp.

Please bookmark this post for easy access to UFC 82 results and subscribe to my feed for live results of all major upcoming mixed martial arts events in the future.

Also feel free to stick around after the fights for a discussion. Leave as many comments as you like and tell us what you thought about the fights.

Important news, announcements and interesting moments during New Blood

• Horodecki’s last fight was obviously still in his head. He did not look like the same fighter and was very cautious in his approach to this fight. During Horodecki’s post fight interview the crowd boos and Chris responds saying "Come on guys last I heard it was a fight."
• Jim Miller looked very good in his IFL debut against the heavy handed Palaszewski controlling most of the fight.
• The IFL’s next event was announced for May 16 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT featuring Ryan Schultz and Ryan McGivern defending their titles.
• All three IFL title holders defended their IFL titles at tonight’s event.

IFL New Blood New Battles Quick Results

• Alex Schoenauer vs Brendan Barrett (Schoenauer wins via Split Decision after 3 rounds)
• Rafael Dias vs LC Davis (LC Davis wins via KO (Head Kick) at 3:56 in the 3rd round)
• Nate Lamotte vs Chris Horodecki (Horodecki wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds)
• Bart Palaszewski vs Jim Miller (Jim Miller wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds)
• Brad Blackburn vs Delson Heleno (Blackburn wins via KO (Punch) at 1:50 in the 3rd round)
• Jamal Patterson vs Vladimir Matyushenko (Matyushenko wins via TKO at 3:35 in the 2nd)
• Wagnney Fabiano vs Shad Lierley (Fabiano wins via KO (Punch) at 0:37 in the 1st round)
• Jay Hieron vs Mark Miller (Jay Hieron wins via TKO (Strikes) at 2:10 in the 1st round)
• Emyr Bussade vs Jesse Lennox (Bussade wins via Knee Bar at 1:25 in the 2nd round)
• Carmelo Marrero vs Mike Ciesnolevicz (No Contest (Doctor stoppage due to cut) at 1:37 in the 1st)

Short Recap of the Preliminary Bouts

• Alex Schoenauer vs Brendan Barrett: In round one Alex attempted several submissions but couldn’t finish Barrett. Barrett landed some big punches on his feet. In round two Alex started landing some good shots including a right hand that hurt Barrett. Brendan started to gas. In the third round Schoenauer cut Barrett’s left eye with a punch. Brendan was the aggressor and finished the round on top of Alex throwing punches. It was a close fight but Schoenauer took the split decision.
• Rafael Dias vs LC Davis: In round one both fighters got a takedown. Dias went for a guillotine but was unsuccessful. Davis finished the round with punches to the body. In round two both fighters threw bombs with nothing major landing except a right from Davis that backed Dias into the corner. Both fighters traded during the third round. After the fight is stood back up late in the round, Davis lands a vicious left head kick that puts Dias to sleep and the fight is over with only 4 seconds left on the clock. Dias leaves the ring on a stretcher.

IFL New Blood New Battles Main Card Play by Play Commentary

Nate Lamotte vs Chris Horodecki (Lightweight Bout)

• Round 1: After a quick trade the fighters clinch. They separate and Horodecki starts to throw. They trade kicks and Horodecki starts to land some good shots. Chris lands a nice low leg kick and another. He is starting to find his range with less then a minute left. Nate gets a body lock but the bell sounds before he can secure the takedown. It was a close round but I would give the edge to Horodecki with the crisper striking.
• Round 2: Both fighters come out and start to trade again. Chris lands another good low kick and they clinch in the corner. After a few knees from Chris the ref separates them. Lamotte scores a nice takedown and starts to unload with some ground and pound. He postures up and comes down with a good hammer fist. Nate unloads a barrage of hammer fist but Chris lands a kick that allows him to get back to his feet. An angry Horodecki starts to land some shots and they clinch. Chris lands a nice combo and another combo with a hard kick to the body. At the end of the round Nate pulls guard and the bell sounds. I score it 10/9 for Horodecki.
• Round 3: They begin the round trading shots. Lamotte misses with a spinning back fist. Nate continues to come forward. Chris lands another good low kick. Lamotte throws a kick and Horodecki counters with a right hand. It is a very close fight so far. They clinch but separate quickly. Neither fighter had landed anything really damaging as of yet. Nate shoots but Chris sprawls. Lamotte ends up getting the takedown and starts to ground and pound. Lamotte unloads to the body and the head up against the ropes. Horodecki tries to scoot out of the ropes hoping for a stand up but the round ends. I would score it 10/9 for Lamotte but it could easily go either way. Neither fighter suffered any damage. It was a lackluster fight considering the explosiveness of Horodecki.
• Final Result: Chris Horodecki wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds.

Bart Palaszewski vs Jim Miller (Lightweight Bout)

• Round 1: Both fighters come out swinging for the fences but nothing lands. Miller shoots and secures the takedown. Miller goes to work on an americana but lets go. Miler gets side control and drops a few heavy shots. Miller goes for an anaconda choke and Bart hangs on as Miller tightens the choke. He continues to twist the choke in but amazingly Bart escapes and slams Miller to the canvas. They are back to their feet and Bart throws a nice combo and an uppercut. Miller shoots for a single and they clinch. Jim eventually gets the takedown into half guard. He lands some good right hands and then unloads to finish the round. I score the round 10/9 for Miller.
• Round 2: They immediately start to bang and Bart lands a nice right. Miller shoots for a single leg and Bart sprawls. Jim holds onto Bart’s leg and gets the takedown into side control. Jim looks for full mount but Bart keeps half guard. Miller starts to drop some right hands and try’s to sink in another choke. They scramble and Miller almost secures an arm. Bart ends up on top and starts to ground and pound from full guard. They stand up and start to trade again. This time Bart shoots for a single leg but Miller rejects and takes down Bart. I score the round 10/9 for Miller.
• Round 3: Bart kicks off the round with a nice combo that lands. Jim shoots for a single but Bart looks for a kimura. They scramble and Miller takes Bart’s back sinking in the hooks. Miller looks for the choke and then starts to reign down some blows. Jim continues to look for the choke but Bart defends well. Miller sinks in the rear naked choke tight and Bart amazingly stays alive. It was very close to the end for Bart. They stand and Bart starts to unload looking for the KO. Bart throws a flying knee and a few more strikes before the round ends. I score the round 10/9 for Miller.
• Final Result: Jim Miller wins via Unanimous Decision after 3 rounds.

Brad Blackburn vs Delson Heleno (Welterweight Bout)

• Round 1: They start to fire and Brad lands a low leg kick. Heleno shoots and scores the takedown into half guard. Delson starts to work on passing Blackburn’s guard. Heleno postures up but Brad escapes and gets back to his feet. Delson quickly takes him right back down to the mat. Heleno starts to drop some hammer fists. He postures up and lands some small punches. Delson misses with a giant hay maker but gains side mount. Heleno works an arm looking for the submission. Heleno jumps up and comes down with a big superman punch. He lands a few more shots and the round ends. I score the round 10/9 for Heleno.
• Round 2: They come out trading with nothing really landing. Heleno shoots and easily secures the takedown. He starts to unleash some ground and pound in Brad’s half guard. Delson passes to full mount and starts to stretch out Blackburn. He starts to work some punches but Brad regains full guard. Heleno starts to unload with a plethora of punches. Delson postures up and just misses with a huge wild punch. He continues to ground and pound Brad who escapes and works for a guillotine but Delson denies. Heleno gains full mount just as the bell sounds. Another 10/9 round for Heleno.
• Round 3: Delson comes in with a good combo. Heleno shoots but is rejected. They trade some shots with nothing serious landing. Delson shoots but gets rocked with a big right hook on the way in. Blackburn bum rushes Delson and finishes off Heleno with a few more heavy shots.
• Final Result: Brad Blackburn wins via KO (Punch) at 1:50 in the 3rd round.

Jamal Patterson vs Vladimir Matyushenko (Light Heavyweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: Vladi comes right out with a kick. Patterson connects right away and Vladi stumbles. They clinch in the corner but the ref restarts them in the center of the ring. Vladi comes in with a combo but Jamal counters with some nice shots. Jamal catches the kick from Vladi and starts to unload with punches while holding onto the leg of Matyushenko. They clinch but quickly separate and Jamal connects with another good punch. Vladi lands a good front kick and a nice low kick. Patterson throws a nice combo and Vladi shoots. Jamal sinks in a tight guillotine but amazingly Vladi pops out. Vladi starts to drop a couple of punches from the full guard. I score the round 10/9 for Jamal.
• Round 2: They both start to slug it out with big bombs. Vladi shoots and Jamal goes for another guillotine. Vladi finds half guard and starts to drop some vicious shots. Holding on to one arm he starts to unleash some brutal right hands. He continues to drop heavy right hands to the face of Patterson. He works some lefts to the body and is now controlling the fight. Vladi lands a good body shot and now starts to work the head with lefts and rights. He keeps pummeling Jamal with big right hands. He then unloads with some more brutal right hands and Jamal turns over no longer able to defend himself intelligently. The ref steps in to save Patterson.
• Round 3:
• Round 4:
• Round 5:
• Final Result: Vladimir Matyushenko wins via TKO (Strikes) at 3:35 in the 2nd round.

Wagnney Fabiano vs Shad Lierley (Featherweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: Wagnney lands a nice right and then a low kick that drops Shad to the mat momentarily. Wagnney comes in with a left right combo and the right hook knocks out Lierley cold.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Round 4:
• Round 5:
• Final Result: Wagnney Fabiano wins via KO (Punch) at 0:37 in the 1st round.

Jay Hieron vs Mark Miller (Welterweight Title Bout)

• Round 1: Jay kicks things off with a right hand that lands. He then immediately shoots and scores the takedown into full guard. He starts to throw some small punches. Jay lands a nice right hand as he postures up. He starts to get through with some good shots. He keeps landing several right hands as Miller just covers up. He unleashes with some brutal ground and pound and the ref steps in to save Miller who’s face is beaten and bloody from the assault. It was a dominating performance from Hieron who retains his welterweight title.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Round 4:
• Round 5:
• Final Result: Jay Hieron wins via TKO (Strikes) at 2:10 in the 1st round.

Emyr Bussade vs Jesse Lennox (Welterweight Bout)

• Round 1: Lennox lands a nice shot to start things out and they clinch in the corner. Jesse lands a couple of foot stomps. He lands a nice knee to the body and another foot stomp. Emyr jumps guard and looks for a leg lock but just misses. They start to trade and are back into the clinch quickly. They stand and trade bombs and Lennox lands a big shot. Emyr tries to pull guard but falls on his back and Lennox starts to drop some punches. Emyr looks for another leg lock but can’t do anything with it. They are back to their feet where Lennox tees off with a barrage of punches. They finish the round in the clinch. I score it 10/9 for Lennox.
• Round 2: Jesse starts things off with a nice body shot. Lennox unleashes in the corner with a barrage of punches but Emyr counters. They start to unload again and they clinch. Lennox ends up on top on the ground. Bussade sinks in a knee bar and Jesse lets out a painful scream. He doesn’t tap but the ref steps in and the fight is over.
• Round 3:
• Final Result: Emyr Bussade wins via Knee Bar at 1:25 in the 2nd round.

Carmelo Marrero vs Mike Ciesnolevicz (Light Heavyweight Bout)

• Round 1: They trade shots and Mike misses with a head kick. Carmelo takes down Mike into half guard. Carmelo is pouring blood but sinks in a guillotine choke that has Mike in trouble. Mike survives and Carmelo remains in half guard. The fight is stopped to look at the vicious cut on Carmelo’s head. The doctor stops the fight and Carmelo is extremely upset. The crowd is also very unhappy with the decision. It was a disappointing end to a fight that Marrero was dominating.
• Round 2:
• Round 3:
• Final Result: After a correction the fight is ruled a No Contest (Doctor stoppage due to cut) at 1:37 in the 1st round.

The International Fight League kicks the year off with there season opener tonight at 11pm ET at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Three championship belts will be on the line tonight as we get things underway. In the main event of the night Ryan "The Lion" Shultz will be squaring off against John Gunderson in a lightweight title bout. Fabiano Sherner will be taking on Roy "Big Country" Nelson for the heavyweight title.

The always exciting Matt Horwich will battle the Ryan McGivern for the middleweight championship belt. It should be an explosive night of mixed martial arts action!

IFL Live Results for February 29, 2008

• Ian Loveland vs Dennis Davis (Loveland wins via guillotine choke at 0:58 in the 2nd)
• Alexandre Ferreira vs Lew Polley (Dias wins via rear naked choke at 2:03 in the 1st)
• Leopoldo Serao vs Josh Haynes (Haynes wins via unanimous decision after 3 rounds)
• Rafael Dias vs Santino DeFranco (Ferreira wins via guillotine choke at 0:20 in the 1st)
• Jake Ellenberger vs Pat Healy (Ellenberger wins via unanimous decision after 3 rounds)
• Fabiano Sherner vs Roy Nelson (Nelson wins via TKO at 3:20 in the 1st round)
• Matt Horwich vs Ryan McGivern (McGivern wins via unanimous decision after 5)
• Ryan Schultz vs John Gunderson (Schultz wins via unanimous decision after 3 rounds)

The International Fight League added three big title fights to it’s season opening event to be held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on February 29. The league will also be debuting two new teams to kick off the 2008 season.

In a championship bout, the IFL’s middleweight champion, Matt Horwich will defend his title against Tim Kennedy. Horwich recently gained middleweight champion status after defeating Benji Radach via knock out at the Grand Prix in December. Kennedy went 3 for 3 in 2007 finishing all of opponents.

In a lightweight battle, current champ Ryan Schultz will defend his title against John Gunderson. Shultz made the impossible seem possible in December when he finished Chris Horodecki via TKO in under 3 minutes of the first round.

In the third title bout Fabiano Scherner will square off against Roy "Big Country" Nelson in a heavyweight match. Nelson is coming off a brutal knockout victory over Antoine Jaoude taking care of business in only 22 seconds of the first round at the Grand Prix Finals. Scherner who has only won 2 of his last 5 fights will be looking to turn things around in 08.

In the team competition Mario Sperry’s MMA Top Team will be going up against Team Xtreme Couture and Matt Lindland’s Team Quest will be matched up with Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den.

Here is the fight card so far:

• Ian Loveland vs Dennis Davis (Prelim)
• Marcello Salazar vs TBA (Team Xtreme Couture vs MMA Top Team)
• Benji Radach vs TBA (Team Xtreme Couture vs MMA Top Team)
• Pat Healy vs TBA (Team Quest vs Lions Den)
• Ryan Schultz vs John Gunderson (Team Quest vs Lions Den)
• Fabiano Sherner vs Roy Nelson (Team Quest vs Lions Den)
• Tim Kennedy vs Matt Horwich (Championship Bout)

I will keep you updated on future additions to the card. More gripping mixed martial arts news on the way!