IFL Grand Prix Preview
Scott Holmes Nov 3, 2007
Lightweights (155 lbs.)
Chris Horodecki (Pictures) (10-0) vs. Bart Palaszewski (Pictures) (28-9)
It should be non-stop action when Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Bart Palaszewski (Pictures) meet in the featured fight of the
IFL Grand Prix's live broadcast on MyNetworkTV. Both men like to
stand and trade blows like brokers at closing time at the stock
exchange.
Palaszewski is coming off a recent loss to Deividas Taurosevicius (Pictures) and will be looking to use the Grand Prix to catapult back to the top of the IFL lightweight division. Horodecki has done just fine so far, winning all of his fights; but to go through this tourney would definitely enter his name into the mix of top-tier lightweights.
John Gunderson (Pictures) (15-4) vs. Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) (7-1)
John Gunderson (Pictures) sort of fell into the lap of the IFL when he joined Ken Shamrock (Pictures)'s Nevada Lions. Now he's established himself as a fighter worthy of a Grand Prix slot.
"Guns" will have his hands full with Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures), though, who is currently undefeated in the IFL. Even though Horodecki/Palaszewski has all the hype, the winner of that bout will have to face one of these two in December.
Fabiano is a submission machine that has walked through his IFL opposition. Gunderson is scrappy, but he'll need to extend the rounds if he wants to test his opponent's chin, which has not yet been touched.
In fact, Fabiano likes to skip out on tests by finishing his fights in the first round. He hasn't seen a second round in the IFL, and unless Gunderson can catch him before he closes the distance, Fabiano should have time to rest before the Grand Prix finals.
Welterweights (170 lbs.)
Jay Hieron (Pictures) (12-4) vs. Donnie Liles (Pictures) (8-3)
At first glance, Hieron and Heleno look as if they are getting a first-round bye in this tournament by facing opponents they have already beaten rather easily this year.
Liles enters this tournament as an injury replacement against an angry Hieron, who is eager to erase memories of his knockout loss to Brad Blackburn (Pictures) in Seattle.
While Liles gets a chance for some payback of his own, it won't be an easy feat because Hieron is a tough, gifted athlete with KO power. Liles has some submission skills in his repertoire, but historically speaking, Hieron doesn't lose that way.
Hieron appeared at the weigh-ins sporting sunglasses and was flanked by his trainer, Randy Couture (Pictures). He has had plenty of time to rest and get ready for business.
Deleon Helene (12-3) vs. Gideon Ray (Pictures) (14-6)
On the other side of the 170 bracket are Delson Heleno (Pictures) and Gideon Ray (Pictures). In the first meeting, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist submitted Ray.
Heleno is a one-trick pony with his jiu-jitsu, but he's as reliable with it as the Pony Express. He has been known to grind out wins by decision, but the farther this fight goes, the better chance Ray has of taking control.
Heleno's only loss in the IFL came at the hands of Antonio McKee (Pictures), whose wrestling skills were so dominant that he kept Heleno at bay. Ray doesn't have McKee's skills, however. Instead, he will need to let his hands go and do all he can to stay off the ground. If "Pe da Chumbo" can take Ray down, it will be a quick night for the Brazilian.
Middleweights (185 lbs.)
Benji Radach (Pictures) (15-3) vs. Brent Beauparlant (Pictures) (6-4)
Radach has been on a tear since entering the IFL, taking out every fighter put in front of him. Beauparlant can't match Radach's experience, but he has been coming on very strong, winning his last few fights and looking good even in his losses. He also gave Andre Gusmao (Pictures) fits last year and had a battle with Matt Horwich (Pictures) in early 2007.
On paper it would seem that Radach should cruise to victory, but it might not be so easy. Radach has gotten in trouble early in some of his wins this year, and he can't afford to do that against Beauparlant, who is known to box some ears.
Also, despite the fact that this fight won't be aired live, knowing that Canadian fans will be watching on Saturday night might give Beauparlant a little extra fire.
Matt Horwich (Pictures) (19-9) vs. Brian Foster (Pictures) (9-11)
After Matt Horwich (Pictures) drank from a gallon water jug before the weigh-ins, it was no surprise when he stepped on the scale a pound and a half over the 186 limit. He dropped his shorts and stepped back on, only a pound over. The IFL brass huddled, whispered and then asked Foster if he would accept Horwich's weight. Foster didn't blink.
Horwich is a talented wrestler with great submissions, but knocking people out with his legs is his current hobby. Foster has had an up-and-down career against some very good opponents and won't be intimidated by Horwich's recent string of success.
This fight will probably be won by whoever is able to dictate the action. How exactly it will end is a crapshoot, but chances are it will go to the ground, where Horwich has to be a favorite.
Light Heavyweights (205 lbs.)
Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) (18-3) vs. Alex Schoenauer (Pictures) (12-7)
When Schoenauer knocked out Allan Goes (Pictures) in June, he had finally scored a win over a big-name fighter. Now he has another opportunity to do the same.
His hands have officially become a threat to anyone. However, Matyushenko's style will make it hard for Schoenauer to get off any hard shots. The key will be to keep Matyushenko at the end of his punches and maybe bait him into another standup battle like Vladdy had in the semifinals against Tim Boetsch (Pictures).
Matyushenko is confident that this fight will go his way. Unless he plans to abandon the fighting style he's had for about 10 years, and try to box again, he should be able to close the distance and get Schoenauer down into the world he reigns over.
Heavyweight (265 lbs.)
Bryan Vetell (Pictures) (3-2) vs. Roy Nelson (Pictures) (8-2)
The heavyweight division might be the most open bracket in this tournament. Roy Nelson (Pictures) is the early favorite considering his controversial battle with Ben Rothwell (Pictures). Nelson went blow for blow with the big heavyweight, proving that he can hit with the best of them.
Vetell's wrestling skills are formidable, and he's a big, heavy guy that poses problems for any foe. Both fighters are very ground-oriented, but with Nelson having the better standup skills, look for Vetell to try and turn this fight into a grappling match that could be anyone's to win.
While Vetell enters this tournament as an injury replacement for a previous replacement, Nelson will be fighting with the intention of taking over the division.
Antoine Jaoude (Pictures) (7-2) vs. Shane Ott (Pictures) (3-1)
Both of these guys are wildcards. The jury is still out on just how good they are.
Jaoude has won three straight in the IFL, and after some time off since his win over Dan Christison (Pictures), he's had plenty of time to train for this show. He is also a student of Marco Ruas (Pictures). His ground skills are good, and he showed some versatility when he knocked out Wayne Cole (Pictures).
Shane Ott (Pictures) is still in his first year of professional competition and has performed very well, only losing one decision in his first four fights. That loss was to Roy "Big Country" Nelson. Ott should be highly motivated to get past Jaoude for another crack at the only man to beat him.
Chris Horodecki (Pictures) (10-0) vs. Bart Palaszewski (Pictures) (28-9)
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Palaszewski is coming off a recent loss to Deividas Taurosevicius (Pictures) and will be looking to use the Grand Prix to catapult back to the top of the IFL lightweight division. Horodecki has done just fine so far, winning all of his fights; but to go through this tourney would definitely enter his name into the mix of top-tier lightweights.
While there's no doubt they want to knock each other out, this
fight may end on the mat. Horodecki hasn't been through too much
trouble on the ground, and Palaszewski has plenty of wins by
submission. If either gets in trouble, look for grappling to be an
important factor.
John Gunderson (Pictures) (15-4) vs. Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) (7-1)
John Gunderson (Pictures) sort of fell into the lap of the IFL when he joined Ken Shamrock (Pictures)'s Nevada Lions. Now he's established himself as a fighter worthy of a Grand Prix slot.
"Guns" will have his hands full with Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures), though, who is currently undefeated in the IFL. Even though Horodecki/Palaszewski has all the hype, the winner of that bout will have to face one of these two in December.
Fabiano is a submission machine that has walked through his IFL opposition. Gunderson is scrappy, but he'll need to extend the rounds if he wants to test his opponent's chin, which has not yet been touched.
In fact, Fabiano likes to skip out on tests by finishing his fights in the first round. He hasn't seen a second round in the IFL, and unless Gunderson can catch him before he closes the distance, Fabiano should have time to rest before the Grand Prix finals.
Welterweights (170 lbs.)
Jay Hieron (Pictures) (12-4) vs. Donnie Liles (Pictures) (8-3)
At first glance, Hieron and Heleno look as if they are getting a first-round bye in this tournament by facing opponents they have already beaten rather easily this year.
Liles enters this tournament as an injury replacement against an angry Hieron, who is eager to erase memories of his knockout loss to Brad Blackburn (Pictures) in Seattle.
While Liles gets a chance for some payback of his own, it won't be an easy feat because Hieron is a tough, gifted athlete with KO power. Liles has some submission skills in his repertoire, but historically speaking, Hieron doesn't lose that way.
Hieron appeared at the weigh-ins sporting sunglasses and was flanked by his trainer, Randy Couture (Pictures). He has had plenty of time to rest and get ready for business.
Deleon Helene (12-3) vs. Gideon Ray (Pictures) (14-6)
On the other side of the 170 bracket are Delson Heleno (Pictures) and Gideon Ray (Pictures). In the first meeting, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist submitted Ray.
Heleno is a one-trick pony with his jiu-jitsu, but he's as reliable with it as the Pony Express. He has been known to grind out wins by decision, but the farther this fight goes, the better chance Ray has of taking control.
Heleno's only loss in the IFL came at the hands of Antonio McKee (Pictures), whose wrestling skills were so dominant that he kept Heleno at bay. Ray doesn't have McKee's skills, however. Instead, he will need to let his hands go and do all he can to stay off the ground. If "Pe da Chumbo" can take Ray down, it will be a quick night for the Brazilian.
Middleweights (185 lbs.)
Benji Radach (Pictures) (15-3) vs. Brent Beauparlant (Pictures) (6-4)
Radach has been on a tear since entering the IFL, taking out every fighter put in front of him. Beauparlant can't match Radach's experience, but he has been coming on very strong, winning his last few fights and looking good even in his losses. He also gave Andre Gusmao (Pictures) fits last year and had a battle with Matt Horwich (Pictures) in early 2007.
On paper it would seem that Radach should cruise to victory, but it might not be so easy. Radach has gotten in trouble early in some of his wins this year, and he can't afford to do that against Beauparlant, who is known to box some ears.
Also, despite the fact that this fight won't be aired live, knowing that Canadian fans will be watching on Saturday night might give Beauparlant a little extra fire.
Matt Horwich (Pictures) (19-9) vs. Brian Foster (Pictures) (9-11)
After Matt Horwich (Pictures) drank from a gallon water jug before the weigh-ins, it was no surprise when he stepped on the scale a pound and a half over the 186 limit. He dropped his shorts and stepped back on, only a pound over. The IFL brass huddled, whispered and then asked Foster if he would accept Horwich's weight. Foster didn't blink.
Horwich is a talented wrestler with great submissions, but knocking people out with his legs is his current hobby. Foster has had an up-and-down career against some very good opponents and won't be intimidated by Horwich's recent string of success.
This fight will probably be won by whoever is able to dictate the action. How exactly it will end is a crapshoot, but chances are it will go to the ground, where Horwich has to be a favorite.
Light Heavyweights (205 lbs.)
Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) (18-3) vs. Alex Schoenauer (Pictures) (12-7)
When Schoenauer knocked out Allan Goes (Pictures) in June, he had finally scored a win over a big-name fighter. Now he has another opportunity to do the same.
His hands have officially become a threat to anyone. However, Matyushenko's style will make it hard for Schoenauer to get off any hard shots. The key will be to keep Matyushenko at the end of his punches and maybe bait him into another standup battle like Vladdy had in the semifinals against Tim Boetsch (Pictures).
Matyushenko is confident that this fight will go his way. Unless he plans to abandon the fighting style he's had for about 10 years, and try to box again, he should be able to close the distance and get Schoenauer down into the world he reigns over.
Heavyweight (265 lbs.)
Bryan Vetell (Pictures) (3-2) vs. Roy Nelson (Pictures) (8-2)
The heavyweight division might be the most open bracket in this tournament. Roy Nelson (Pictures) is the early favorite considering his controversial battle with Ben Rothwell (Pictures). Nelson went blow for blow with the big heavyweight, proving that he can hit with the best of them.
Vetell's wrestling skills are formidable, and he's a big, heavy guy that poses problems for any foe. Both fighters are very ground-oriented, but with Nelson having the better standup skills, look for Vetell to try and turn this fight into a grappling match that could be anyone's to win.
While Vetell enters this tournament as an injury replacement for a previous replacement, Nelson will be fighting with the intention of taking over the division.
Antoine Jaoude (Pictures) (7-2) vs. Shane Ott (Pictures) (3-1)
Both of these guys are wildcards. The jury is still out on just how good they are.
Jaoude has won three straight in the IFL, and after some time off since his win over Dan Christison (Pictures), he's had plenty of time to train for this show. He is also a student of Marco Ruas (Pictures). His ground skills are good, and he showed some versatility when he knocked out Wayne Cole (Pictures).
Shane Ott (Pictures) is still in his first year of professional competition and has performed very well, only losing one decision in his first four fights. That loss was to Roy "Big Country" Nelson. Ott should be highly motivated to get past Jaoude for another crack at the only man to beat him.
