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!