2007 IFL Grand Prix
Encyclopedia
In 2007 the team with the most members in the Grand Prix were from the Los Angeles Anacondas
with 4. The Toronto Dragons
have 3 representatives while the New York Pitbulls
, Nevada Lions
and San Jose Razorclaws
have 2. Due to injuries the Chicago Red Bears
and the Seattle Tiger Sharks
do not have a member representing them in the 2007 GP.
The inaugural IFL GP has been marred with injuries and contract disputes that of the original 20 fighters that were set to compete only 14 of them are still on the card with one entire tournament bracket being reduced to just one championship match (the Light Heavyweight division). At the same time 7 reserved fighters were even scratched off due to injuries.
Originally the GP was to determine champions in five weight classes, but the IFL announced on 11/13/07 that they will be crowning a sixth champion in the newly established featherweight division. No.1 seeded lightweight Wagnney Fabiano
of the Toronto Dragons
will drop out of the Lightweight GP and compete for the Featherweight title against Quad City Silverbacks
L.C. Davis. Replacing Fabiano in the LW GP will be LW alternate Shad Lierley
of the Seattle Tiger Sharks
setting up the much anticipated rematch between Lierley and Chris Horodecki
of the Los Angeles Anacondas
. http://ifl.tv/News-07Nov13-IFL-Puts-Five-Titles-on-the-Line.html
)
* Originally Shad Lierley was to face Horodecki but a toe injury during practice took him out of competition. It was then announced on 12/12/07 that John Gunderson will take Lierley's place. On 12/14/07 it was announced that unfortunately Gunderson also suffered an injury and now fighting Horodecki will be Wolfpack's Ryan Schultz.
Ryan Schultz became the first IFL lightweight Champion
* Originally Tokyo Sabres
Antonio McKee was going to participate in the WW GP but due to his participation in another MMA promotion which was a violation of his IFL contract, McKee was removed from the GP and replaced by alternate Pat Healy. A week before the GP, the IFL announced that Healy suffered an elbow injury during training and could not participate in the IFL. Taking his place is San Jose Razorclaws Donnie Liles.
** Originally Chicago Red Bears
Mark Miller was going to participate in the WW GP but due to a hand injury he had to step out. Replacing him will be alternate Brad Blackburn.
Shortly after the announcement of Blackburn replacing Miller, it was announced that Blackburn could not compete in the GP due to an undisclosed injury, to replace him will be Gideon Ray.
Jay Hieron became the IFL's first Welterweight Champion
)
Matt Horwich became the IFL's first Middleweight Champion.
Vladimer Matyushenko becomes the IFL's first Light Heavyweight Champion
** Originally Ben Rothwell was to participate in the HW GP but due to Rothwell not signing a contract extension with the IFL he was not allowed to participate. Taking his place against Roy Nelson will be Reese Andy while reserve fighter Bryan Vetell will fight Antoine Jaoude.
It was announced that Reese Andy could not compete in the GP due to injuries therefore Shane Ott will take his place and fight Antoine Joude while Roy Nelson will face Bryan Vetell.
Roy Nelson became the IFL's first Heavyweight Champion
Los Angeles Anacondas
The Los Angeles Anacondas were an International Fight League team based in Los Angeles, California. The Anacondas were the first IFL team to have gone through not just one coach but two...
with 4. The Toronto Dragons
Toronto Dragons
The Toronto Dragons are an International Fight League team based in Toronto Canada, led by MMA Veteran and former UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Newton. The Dragons were established in the middle of the 2006 season. The Dragons were based out of Newton"s home academy Warrior Mixed Martial...
have 3 representatives while the New York Pitbulls
New York Pitbulls
The New York Pitbulls were an International Fight League team based in NYC, New York. Coached by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert and MMA veteran Renzo Gracie, the Pitbulls were one of four teams competing in the IFL's inaugural season.-Record/Roster:...
, Nevada Lions
Nevada Lions
The Nevada Lions were an International Fight League team based in Reno, Nevada. Coached by UFC and MMA legend Ken Shamrock the Lions were one of four teams established at the beginning of the 2007 season.-Record/Roster:...
and San Jose Razorclaws
San Jose Razorclaws
The San Jose Razorclaws were an International Fight League team based in San Jose, California, United States. The Razorclaws were coached by former King of Pancrase and UFC Lightheavyweight champion Frank Shamrock. The San Jose Razorclaws were established in the middle of the 2006 season and were...
have 2. Due to injuries the Chicago Red Bears
Chicago Red Bears
The Chicago Red Bears were an International Fight League team based in Chicago, Illinois. Coached by MMA fighter Igor Zinoviev the Red Bears were one of four teams established at the beginning of the 2007 season.-Record/roster:...
and the Seattle Tiger Sharks
Seattle Tiger Sharks
The Seattle Tigersharks are an International Fight League team based in Seattle, Washington. Coached by former kickboxing World Champion and Ultimate Fighting Championship 14 & 15 Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith, the Tigersharks were one of four teams competing in the IFL's inaugural...
do not have a member representing them in the 2007 GP.
The inaugural IFL GP has been marred with injuries and contract disputes that of the original 20 fighters that were set to compete only 14 of them are still on the card with one entire tournament bracket being reduced to just one championship match (the Light Heavyweight division). At the same time 7 reserved fighters were even scratched off due to injuries.
Originally the GP was to determine champions in five weight classes, but the IFL announced on 11/13/07 that they will be crowning a sixth champion in the newly established featherweight division. No.1 seeded lightweight Wagnney Fabiano
Wagnney Fabiano
|-|Loss|align=center|14-3| Joseph Benavidez|Submission |WEC 52||align=center|2|align=center|2:45|Las Vegas, Nevada, USA||-|Win|align=center|14-2| Frank Gomez|Decision |WEC 49||align=center|3|align=center|5:00...
of the Toronto Dragons
Toronto Dragons
The Toronto Dragons are an International Fight League team based in Toronto Canada, led by MMA Veteran and former UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Newton. The Dragons were established in the middle of the 2006 season. The Dragons were based out of Newton"s home academy Warrior Mixed Martial...
will drop out of the Lightweight GP and compete for the Featherweight title against Quad City Silverbacks
Quad City Silverbacks
The Quad Cities Silverbacks are an International Fight League team based in the Quad Cities region of the USA. Coached by former UFC Middleweight and Lightweight Champion and founder of the very successful Miletich Fighting Systems camp, Pat Miletich, the Silverbacks were one of four teams...
L.C. Davis. Replacing Fabiano in the LW GP will be LW alternate Shad Lierley
Shad Lierley
Shad Lierley is an American mixed martial artist. He fought for the Seattle Tiger Sharks of the now defunct International Fight League.-Bio:...
of the Seattle Tiger Sharks
Seattle Tiger Sharks
The Seattle Tigersharks are an International Fight League team based in Seattle, Washington. Coached by former kickboxing World Champion and Ultimate Fighting Championship 14 & 15 Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith, the Tigersharks were one of four teams competing in the IFL's inaugural...
setting up the much anticipated rematch between Lierley and Chris Horodecki
Chris Horodecki
Christopher Horodecki is a Polish-Canadian mixed martial artist. He is best known for his fights in the WEC and the IFL.-Mixed martial arts career:Horodecki was born in Poland and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada...
of the Los Angeles Anacondas
Los Angeles Anacondas
The Los Angeles Anacondas were an International Fight League team based in Los Angeles, California. The Anacondas were the first IFL team to have gone through not just one coach but two...
. http://ifl.tv/News-07Nov13-IFL-Puts-Five-Titles-on-the-Line.html
Featherweight Grand Prix
Wagnney Fabiano became the first IFL Featherweight ChampionLightweight Grand Prix
Alternate: Shad Lierley (Seattle Tiger SharksSeattle Tiger Sharks
The Seattle Tigersharks are an International Fight League team based in Seattle, Washington. Coached by former kickboxing World Champion and Ultimate Fighting Championship 14 & 15 Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith, the Tigersharks were one of four teams competing in the IFL's inaugural...
)
* Originally Shad Lierley was to face Horodecki but a toe injury during practice took him out of competition. It was then announced on 12/12/07 that John Gunderson will take Lierley's place. On 12/14/07 it was announced that unfortunately Gunderson also suffered an injury and now fighting Horodecki will be Wolfpack's Ryan Schultz.
Ryan Schultz became the first IFL lightweight Champion
Welterweight Grand Prix
Alternate: TBA* Originally Tokyo Sabres
Tokyo Sabres
The Tokyo Sabres are an International Fight League team based in Tokyo, Japan . The Sabres are coached by bodybuilder Ken Yasuda. Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki use to be a mentor to the Sabres but after their horrible 0-5 loss to the Los Angeles Anacondas Inoki broke all ties with the IFL...
Antonio McKee was going to participate in the WW GP but due to his participation in another MMA promotion which was a violation of his IFL contract, McKee was removed from the GP and replaced by alternate Pat Healy. A week before the GP, the IFL announced that Healy suffered an elbow injury during training and could not participate in the IFL. Taking his place is San Jose Razorclaws Donnie Liles.
** Originally Chicago Red Bears
Chicago Red Bears
The Chicago Red Bears were an International Fight League team based in Chicago, Illinois. Coached by MMA fighter Igor Zinoviev the Red Bears were one of four teams established at the beginning of the 2007 season.-Record/roster:...
Mark Miller was going to participate in the WW GP but due to a hand injury he had to step out. Replacing him will be alternate Brad Blackburn.
Shortly after the announcement of Blackburn replacing Miller, it was announced that Blackburn could not compete in the GP due to an undisclosed injury, to replace him will be Gideon Ray.
Jay Hieron became the IFL's first Welterweight Champion
Middleweight Grand Prix
Alternate: Fabio Leopoldo (New York PitbullsNew York Pitbulls
The New York Pitbulls were an International Fight League team based in NYC, New York. Coached by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert and MMA veteran Renzo Gracie, the Pitbulls were one of four teams competing in the IFL's inaugural season.-Record/Roster:...
)
Matt Horwich became the IFL's first Middleweight Champion.
Light Heavyweight Grand Prix
*Originally Silverback Mike Ciesnolevicz was to participate in the LHW GP but due to his KO lost to Andre Gusmao during the IFL World Championship Finals he is under KO suspension and thus can not compete. Taking his place is the man who knocked him out New York Pittbulls Andre Gusmao. Unfortunately shortly after this announcement Gusmao suffered an injured foot and therefore could not compete in the GP. Meanwhile fellow LHW finalist Mike Whitehead did not sign a contract extension with the IFL and thus was not allowed to participate in the GP. At the same time reserve fighter Jamal Patterson was reported injured and could not participate in the GP, therefore the IFL decided to just make this a one fight tourny for the LHW belt between Matsuyshenko and Schoenauer.Vladimer Matyushenko becomes the IFL's first Light Heavyweight Champion
Heavyweight Grand Prix
Alternate: TBA** Originally Ben Rothwell was to participate in the HW GP but due to Rothwell not signing a contract extension with the IFL he was not allowed to participate. Taking his place against Roy Nelson will be Reese Andy while reserve fighter Bryan Vetell will fight Antoine Jaoude.
It was announced that Reese Andy could not compete in the GP due to injuries therefore Shane Ott will take his place and fight Antoine Joude while Roy Nelson will face Bryan Vetell.
Roy Nelson became the IFL's first Heavyweight Champion