IFL NAMES REPLACEMENTS FOR APRIL 4 FIGHT CARD

Posted on | March 26, 2008 | No Comments

IFL Veteran Schoenauer Takes On N.J. Native Barrett; UFC Vet Black Replaces Markham for MFS, Miller Steps In For Taurosevicius for Gracie

NEW YORK, March 26, 2008 – Mixed Martial arts veteran Alex Schoenauer (Las Vegas) will take on local standout Brendan Barrett (Tuckerton, N.J.) as the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) will now hold 10 bouts on its card at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Friday, April 4. In addition, two replacements have been named: Jason Black (Davenport, Iowa), representing Miletich Fighting Systems, and Jim Miller (Sparta, N.J.), fighting for Renzo Gracie Academy.

Schoenauer, who has nine IFL bouts among his 21 career MMA fights, last fought for the IFL title at 205 lbs. in November, losing a decision to Vladimir Matyushenko. Barrett has a 3-2 record, with two of the wins coming by knockout.

Black is 23-4-1 and is highly regarded among MMA fans, gaining additional attention by competing in two UFC bouts last year. He will fight in place of Rory Markham, who is recovering from a respiratory illness, against Emyr Bussade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) of American Top Team at welterweight. Miller, who owns an impressive 10-1 record, will take on Bart Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.) of Midwest Combat in a lightweight matchup, in place of Deividas Taurosevicius, who has a hand injury.

As previously announced, IFL titleholders Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko (Belarus), Jay “The Thorobred” Hieron (Freeport, N.Y./Las Vegas) and Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will defend their belts on April 4. Matyushenko will battle Jamal Patterson (Jersey City, N.J.) for the light heavyweight crown; Hieron will take on Mark Miller (Chicago) at 170 lbs., and Fabiano will accept the challenge of Shad Lierley (Seattle) at 145 lbs. In a non-title bout, Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) will oppose Nate Lamotte (New Hampshire) in a matchup of lightweights.

Tickets are available at the IZOD Center Box Office (located at the Meadowlands), www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (201) 507-8900.

IFL East Rutherford, N.J.
Friday, April 4, 2008 (order TBD)

Additional Bouts
155 lbs.: Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) (7-1 IFL, 11-1 overall MMA) vs. Nate Lamotte (New Hampshire) (0-0, 6-2)
205 lbs.: Alex Schoenauer (Las Vegas) (4-5, 12-9) vs. Brendan Barrett (Tuckerton, N.J.) (0-0, 3-2)

American Top Team vs. Miletich Fighting Systems
145 lbs.: Rafael Dias (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (1-0, 10-3-1) vs. LC Davis (Kansas City, Mo.) (2-0, 9-1)
170 lbs.: Emyr Bussade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (0-0, 10-5) vs. Jason Black (Davenport, Iowa) (0-0, 23-4-1)
205 lbs.: Carmelo Marrero (Douglasville, Pa.) (0-0, 7-2) vs. Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.) (5-3, 13-3)

Midwest Combat vs. Renzo Gracie Academy
155 lbs.: Bart Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.) (8-3, 29-10) vs. Jim Miller (Sparta, N.J.) (0-0, 10-1)
170 lbs.: Brad Blackburn (Olympia, Wash.) (3-2, 11-9-1) vs. Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (6-3, 13-4)
*205 lbs.: **Vladimir Matyushenko (Belarus) (5-0, 20-3) vs. Jamal Patterson (Jersey City, N.J.) (4-1, 4-1)

Additional Championship Bouts
*170 lbs.: **Jay Hieron (Freeport, N.Y.) (6-2, 14-4) vs. Mark Miller (Chicago) (2-1, 8-2)
*145 lbs.: **Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (5-0, 9-1) vs. Shad Lierley (Seattle) (2-1, 2-1)

*Championship Bout
**Current Titleholder

About the IFL

International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.