L.A., Tokyo Clinch IFL Playoff Spots
Tokyo Victorious
EVERETT, Wash., June 1 -- The International Fight League had its
biggest turnout of the year Friday night when 6,977 spectators made
their way out to see the stars of the IFL, including the hometown
Seattle Tiger Sharks.
The crowd wasn't just large, it was also raucous and opinionated throughout the night, bringing a lot of energy to the show. With the league semifinals in New Jersey looming, the Tiger Sharks and nearby Portland Wolfpack needed not only to win as teams but to dominate the individual scores if they were to keep their season going.
Getting the night started off was a match between heavyweights.
Orvil Palmer (Sabres)
came in as a replacement to fight Devin Cole (Pictures) (Wolfpack) and although he's a
heralded wrestler, the first round saw Cole getting all the
takedowns.
Palmer began the match with a body-lock, but was pushed into the corner. They exchange hooks until the Wolfpack put his foe on his back. Cole postured up in the guard but Palmer was careful to hold onto his arms to keep from getting hit.
Round two was all over the place as Palmer landed a left uppercut followed by a straight right hand. Cole grabbed a leg but took a pounding to the body for the effort. Finally getting the takedown, Cole took mount and started bringing down shots. Despite having his foe's arms perfectly out for an armbar, Cole as content to work in small shots and listen to his corner.
The referee moved the two back to the center but as soon as he let them resume, Palmer immediately rolled Cole over. Looking lost on what to do next, Palmer allowed Cole to return to the top despite looking a bit fatigued as the round ended.
In the final period Palmer was finally mounted some real offense and caught Cole with a few shots that left him stunned and lying halfway outside the ropes. Palmer didn't care where Cole was and followed him out of the ring to continue punching the back of the head. The ref pulled Palmer away and cautioned him.
When the action resumed, Cole was eager to grab another leg but this time Palmer held his opponent's head down and peppered him with small shots. Able to take Cole's back, Palmer wanted to pound away with strikes. Another reversal was in the offing and Cole mounted Palmer again, only to hit him with short inside punches that didn't do too much damage.
In a split decision -- 29-28 Cole, 29-28 Palmer, 29-28 -- shock spread through the Washington crowd, which vehemently booed the decision since Cole clearly won the first two rounds.
The Sabres steal a win and the night was off to a very bad start for the Wolfpack
Matt Horwich (Pictures) (Wolfpack) took on Kazuhiro Hamanaka (Pictures) (Sabres) and although Hamanaka looked to put Horwich on his back immediately, the Team Quest fighter bounced right back up and offered some foot stomps to soften Kaz's grip.
Horwich then landed a left kick to the chin that had the crowd oohing. Kaz was fazed, however, and he put Horwich on his back.
Before long they are back on their feet and in a flash Horwich threw another high left kick that put his shin right on the chin of the only Japanese fighter on the Tokyo squad. Kaz went wobbly for a second before dropping to the ground.
Horwich jumped in and hit the Japanese fighter once or twice for good measure before the referee jump in after realizing Hamanaka was out cold. The crowd was on their feet as Horwich knelt over his fallen opponent and prayed for his safety. It's a convincing win in classy fashion that had the Portland Wolfpack back in the match.
The reigning stud at light heavyweight in the IFL is Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) (Sabres) and he was heavily favored against Aaron Stark (Pictures) (Wolfpack).
Stark rushed Matyushenko for a takedown but it was rebuffed by the veteran 205-pounder, who started to the body with strikes. Stark tried another takedown, but Matuyshenko powered him onto the ground and started working on a near defenseless Stark, who by now is helpless but to eat shots.
The end, which Stark protested, finally came at 2:49 of the first, putting Tokyo up 2-1 and the Wolfpack stuck watching their season slip away.
The welterweights were next and Antonio McKee (Pictures) (Sabres) brought the fight to Mike Dolce (Pictures) (Wolfpack) by wasting no time putting Dolce on his back. McKee worked to take his side but was too tied up by Dolce's legs. The fighters are stood back up and Dolce fires a wild hook that McKee ducks and counters with a tackle.
While in Dolce's half-guard he worked for an arm-triangle and when that didn't work he began to raise his knee high into the air, bringing it down hard into Dolce's ribs a few times. Back on their feet, McKee spent the rest of the round on top of Dolce.
Round two was fairly inactive since they spent most of the round dancing until McKee was able to get a few takedowns. Dolce kept looking for openings but with McKee feinting like he was going to take a shot, it kept him on the defensive.
The round ended amidst boos and the final period was greeted by yet another McKee takedown. The two stood up yet again while McKee put Dolce down in the Sabres' corner. The ref stood the two up while the Sabre corner made McKee aware he only had to endure 20 more seconds. He wisely took Mike down again, to keep him from mounting any kind last second offense.
The fight came down to a unanimous decision for McKee, who despite using his typical ground dominance, was much more aggressive once on top than in previous fights. The Wolfpack are officially out of the running for the playoffs.
The coaches saw fit to put Savant Young (Pictures) (Sabres) and Ryan Schultz (Pictures) as the final bout between these two teams. The thought had to be that with the firepower that these two have it would be the most entertaining fight.
Schultz got off first by landing a punch that had Savant nodding in admission to its quality. Schultz shoved him into the corner and there was come controversy rules and weights and the ability for certain fighters to compete.
With a takedown that put B.J. in the half-guard but he wasn't able to get much going. The ref stands the two up and they spend the rest of the round feeling each other out and keeping a safe distance until a late flurry at the end of the round..
Shultz again got off first in the second round by connecting with a stiff right hand. He followed up by shoving Savant against the ropes and gets caught in a guillotine attempt but he safely got out. Schultz has Young balled up in the corner and the ref sees fit to put the two back in the center in the same position.
Schultz stood up and tried to punch but Young tied him up. The Portland lightweight took control and looked to drop heavy shots but Young won't have it.
The ref stands them back up and once again Schultz tagged Young with a combo followed by a knee to the stomach. Schultz tried a few high kicks but they missed as the second round ended.
The third period belonged to Schultz, who easily handled the smaller young en route to the decision win.
In the lightweight alternate bout Jason Palacios (Pictures) patiently worked to get a rear-naked choke, causing Ian Loveland (Pictures) to tap at 1:48 in the first round.
After the fights were finished, Portland coach Matt Lindland (Pictures) was asked about his team's performance and he was disappointed saying, "Some guys just didn't want to fight tonight, they looked to play it safe."
Devin Cole (Pictures) seemed to know whom Matt was talking about when he admitted, "I should have looked for more finishes."
He definitely had some opportunities and had that decision gone their way, the Wolfpack could have been in position to at least tie for forth and make it into the playoffs.
The IFL's top light heavyweight, Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures), continues to end fights before they reach the second round.
When asked about it he said, "It's tempting to finish early for me. I'm 36 years old and it's three rounds," which prompted some laughs from his team and the media.
The Sabres haven't lost yet and will be in good shape going into the playoffs with a cornerstone like Matyushenko.
The crowd wasn't just large, it was also raucous and opinionated throughout the night, bringing a lot of energy to the show. With the league semifinals in New Jersey looming, the Tiger Sharks and nearby Portland Wolfpack needed not only to win as teams but to dominate the individual scores if they were to keep their season going.
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Palmer began the match with a body-lock, but was pushed into the corner. They exchange hooks until the Wolfpack put his foe on his back. Cole postured up in the guard but Palmer was careful to hold onto his arms to keep from getting hit.
Cole decided to pick Palmer up and drop him outside of the ropes.
The men were brought back to the center of the ring, where Cole
took another takedown. However Palmer looked to sink in a
guillotine that was deep at first but loosened before the first
round ended.
Round two was all over the place as Palmer landed a left uppercut followed by a straight right hand. Cole grabbed a leg but took a pounding to the body for the effort. Finally getting the takedown, Cole took mount and started bringing down shots. Despite having his foe's arms perfectly out for an armbar, Cole as content to work in small shots and listen to his corner.
The referee moved the two back to the center but as soon as he let them resume, Palmer immediately rolled Cole over. Looking lost on what to do next, Palmer allowed Cole to return to the top despite looking a bit fatigued as the round ended.
In the final period Palmer was finally mounted some real offense and caught Cole with a few shots that left him stunned and lying halfway outside the ropes. Palmer didn't care where Cole was and followed him out of the ring to continue punching the back of the head. The ref pulled Palmer away and cautioned him.
When the action resumed, Cole was eager to grab another leg but this time Palmer held his opponent's head down and peppered him with small shots. Able to take Cole's back, Palmer wanted to pound away with strikes. Another reversal was in the offing and Cole mounted Palmer again, only to hit him with short inside punches that didn't do too much damage.
In a split decision -- 29-28 Cole, 29-28 Palmer, 29-28 -- shock spread through the Washington crowd, which vehemently booed the decision since Cole clearly won the first two rounds.
The Sabres steal a win and the night was off to a very bad start for the Wolfpack
Matt Horwich (Pictures) (Wolfpack) took on Kazuhiro Hamanaka (Pictures) (Sabres) and although Hamanaka looked to put Horwich on his back immediately, the Team Quest fighter bounced right back up and offered some foot stomps to soften Kaz's grip.
Horwich then landed a left kick to the chin that had the crowd oohing. Kaz was fazed, however, and he put Horwich on his back.
Before long they are back on their feet and in a flash Horwich threw another high left kick that put his shin right on the chin of the only Japanese fighter on the Tokyo squad. Kaz went wobbly for a second before dropping to the ground.
Horwich jumped in and hit the Japanese fighter once or twice for good measure before the referee jump in after realizing Hamanaka was out cold. The crowd was on their feet as Horwich knelt over his fallen opponent and prayed for his safety. It's a convincing win in classy fashion that had the Portland Wolfpack back in the match.
The reigning stud at light heavyweight in the IFL is Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) (Sabres) and he was heavily favored against Aaron Stark (Pictures) (Wolfpack).
Stark rushed Matyushenko for a takedown but it was rebuffed by the veteran 205-pounder, who started to the body with strikes. Stark tried another takedown, but Matuyshenko powered him onto the ground and started working on a near defenseless Stark, who by now is helpless but to eat shots.
The end, which Stark protested, finally came at 2:49 of the first, putting Tokyo up 2-1 and the Wolfpack stuck watching their season slip away.
The welterweights were next and Antonio McKee (Pictures) (Sabres) brought the fight to Mike Dolce (Pictures) (Wolfpack) by wasting no time putting Dolce on his back. McKee worked to take his side but was too tied up by Dolce's legs. The fighters are stood back up and Dolce fires a wild hook that McKee ducks and counters with a tackle.
While in Dolce's half-guard he worked for an arm-triangle and when that didn't work he began to raise his knee high into the air, bringing it down hard into Dolce's ribs a few times. Back on their feet, McKee spent the rest of the round on top of Dolce.
Round two was fairly inactive since they spent most of the round dancing until McKee was able to get a few takedowns. Dolce kept looking for openings but with McKee feinting like he was going to take a shot, it kept him on the defensive.
The round ended amidst boos and the final period was greeted by yet another McKee takedown. The two stood up yet again while McKee put Dolce down in the Sabres' corner. The ref stood the two up while the Sabre corner made McKee aware he only had to endure 20 more seconds. He wisely took Mike down again, to keep him from mounting any kind last second offense.
The fight came down to a unanimous decision for McKee, who despite using his typical ground dominance, was much more aggressive once on top than in previous fights. The Wolfpack are officially out of the running for the playoffs.
The coaches saw fit to put Savant Young (Pictures) (Sabres) and Ryan Schultz (Pictures) as the final bout between these two teams. The thought had to be that with the firepower that these two have it would be the most entertaining fight.
Schultz got off first by landing a punch that had Savant nodding in admission to its quality. Schultz shoved him into the corner and there was come controversy rules and weights and the ability for certain fighters to compete.
With a takedown that put B.J. in the half-guard but he wasn't able to get much going. The ref stands the two up and they spend the rest of the round feeling each other out and keeping a safe distance until a late flurry at the end of the round..
Shultz again got off first in the second round by connecting with a stiff right hand. He followed up by shoving Savant against the ropes and gets caught in a guillotine attempt but he safely got out. Schultz has Young balled up in the corner and the ref sees fit to put the two back in the center in the same position.
Schultz stood up and tried to punch but Young tied him up. The Portland lightweight took control and looked to drop heavy shots but Young won't have it.
The ref stands them back up and once again Schultz tagged Young with a combo followed by a knee to the stomach. Schultz tried a few high kicks but they missed as the second round ended.
The third period belonged to Schultz, who easily handled the smaller young en route to the decision win.
In the lightweight alternate bout Jason Palacios (Pictures) patiently worked to get a rear-naked choke, causing Ian Loveland (Pictures) to tap at 1:48 in the first round.
After the fights were finished, Portland coach Matt Lindland (Pictures) was asked about his team's performance and he was disappointed saying, "Some guys just didn't want to fight tonight, they looked to play it safe."
Devin Cole (Pictures) seemed to know whom Matt was talking about when he admitted, "I should have looked for more finishes."
He definitely had some opportunities and had that decision gone their way, the Wolfpack could have been in position to at least tie for forth and make it into the playoffs.
The IFL's top light heavyweight, Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures), continues to end fights before they reach the second round.
When asked about it he said, "It's tempting to finish early for me. I'm 36 years old and it's three rounds," which prompted some laughs from his team and the media.
The Sabres haven't lost yet and will be in good shape going into the playoffs with a cornerstone like Matyushenko.
