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Welcome to my preview for the IFL Championship Series between the New York Pitbulls and the Iowa Silverbacks. New York, coached by Renzo Gracie, went 3-0 in the season and defeated Tokyo in the Semifinals. Pat Miletich’s Iowa went 2-1 in the regular season and avenged their loss defeating Los Angeles’ Anacondas in the Semifinals.
If this preview seems rushed or below normal quality it is because I’m very tired while writing it. I also am less familiar with most of the guys fighting than I am for a typical UFC card. However, I brought my 1979 quarter with me and judging by the beating it gave me on Fight Night 11, it will probably have a few things to teach me here.
Lightweight Bout:
Bart Palaszewski: 24, 5’9, 155, 28-8-0 (Iowa)
Vs.
Devidas Taurosevicius: 30, 5’9, 155, 8-2-0 (New York)
Palaszewski is one of the top Lightweight’s in the entire IFL and seaded third in the upcoming grand prix. Deividas Taurosevicius replaced Erik Owings on the Pitbulls for their series with Tokyo and got New York a key victory over the Sabers’ Savant Young.
Palaszewski only has one blemish on his IFL record and that is to L.A.’s Chris Horodecki. The experience both in MMA and in IFL competition lies with Palaszewski. He’s a very well-rounded fighter and I may be short changing Taurosevicius but it is because I don’t know him as well. I’m taking Palaszewski to win.
Winner: Bart Palaszewski
Coin Picks: Deividas Taurosevicius
Welterweight Bout:
Jake Ellenberger: 5’10, 170, 15-2-0 (Iowa)
Vs.
Delson “Pe De Chumbo” Heleno: 29, 5’11, 170, 11-3-0 (New York}
Heleno is ranked #1 in the IFL at Welterweight in their upcoming Grand Prix. Of course, Heleno is also coming off a decision loss to Antonio McKee in the IFL Semifinals back in August.
Ellenberger has competed in Bodog and is a substitute for regular Silverbacks competitor Rory Markham.
Heleno’s Jiu-jitsu is pretty good but then you can say that about many who were taught by a Gracie. I don’t know much about Ellenberger but his winning this bout would be an upset of large proportions and there just aren’t as many of those in the IFL as in the UFC.
Winner: Delson Heleno
Coin Picks: Delson Heleno
Middleweight Bout:
Ryan McGivern: 27, 6’0, 185, 10-5-0 (Iowa)
Vs.
Fabio Leopoldo: 30, 6’0, 185, 5-2-0 (New York)
These 2 have met before way back on 09/23 of 2006. In that fight, McGivern was submitted by Leopoldo’s kneebar in the second round.
While the conventional wisdom would be to predict a repeat victory for Leopoldo and while it is possible, McGivern has improved a lot since then and is one of the promotions better Middleweights. I’m here to prodict an avenging of the prior loss by McGivern.
Winner: Ryan McGivern
Coin Picks: Ryan McGivern
Light Heavyweight Bout:
”Mike C” Mike Ciesnolevicz: 27, 6’0, 205, 13-2-0 (Iowa)
Vs.
Andre Gusmao: 6’2, 205, 4-0-0 (New York)
Another match that was originally contested on 09/23 of last year. In that contest Andre Gusmao was the victor in that fight. Gusmao and Jamal Patterson have been splitting time as New York’s Light Heavyweight fighter but Gusmao has amassed a 3-0 record in the IFL thus far.
You want to know why Iowa is contending for another championship and looking to win it in back-to-back seasons? It is because you can pretty much make the statement that all 5 of their guys are in the top or close to it of their respective weight classes. Ciesnolevicz is no different. He had a setback against Alex Schoenauer in the first match of the Silverbacks’ season but was able to take the rematch in the IFL Semifinals. He just keeps getting better and better every time he fights. I think he’s out to prove something and I’m going to project a win for him.
Winner: Mike Ciesnolevicz
Coin Picks: Andre Gusmao
Heavyweight Bout:
”The North Star” Ben Rothwell: 25, 6’5, 265, 26-5-0 (Iowa)
Vs.
Ricco "Swav" Rodriguez: 30, 6’4, 250, 26-6-0 (New York)
Rodriguez is a former UFC heavyweight champion brought in at the last second to replace Tom Sauer who was a replacement for Bryan Vetell. Rodriguez is a talented if disappointing fighter who has had issues with his weight in the past.
Rothwell is the top sead in the Heavyweight grand prix to be contested in November. A criticism of Rothwell is that he’s not facing a lot of tough competition because the IFL’s Heavyweight Division is so thin. Rothwell is just a big powerful guy though and perhaps has earned the description of a man among boys when it comes to the IFL. Rothwell is going to face his toughest test to date in the promotion in Rodriguez. If the right Ricco Rodriguez shows up then Rothwell could have a tough time. If the lazy Rodriguez shows up Rothwell should win easily. I’m taking Rothwell because you just don’t know what you’re going to get from Ricco these days.
Winner: Ben Rothwell
Coin Picks: Ben Rothwell
I’ll keep the prelims short and sweet…
Lightweight Bout:
Ryan “The Lion” Schultz: 5’10, 155, 16-9-1
Vs.
Aaron Riley: 5’9, 155, 23-9-1
I’ll take Riley.
Winner: Aaron Riley
Coin Picks: Aaron Riley
Welterweight Bout:
”Bad” Brad Blackburn: 30, 5’10, 170, 10-9-0
Vs.
Travis Cox: 170, 4-4-0
I’m vaguely familiar with Blackburn and know nothing about Cox.
Winner: Brad Blackburn
Coin Picks: Brad Blackburn
Light Heavyweight Bout:
Jamal “The Suit” Patterson: 6’0, 205, 3-1-0
Vs.
Chris Baten: 27, 6’0, 205, 5-2-0
Experience lies slightly in Baten’s favor but I’m more familiar with Patterson having seen him fight on a few episodes of Battleground.
Winner: Jamal Patterson
Coin Picks: Chris Baten
Heavyweight Bout: Rolles Gracie: 6’4, 265, 0-0-0 Vs.
Sam Holloway: 6’4, 265, 4-0-0
Gracie is making his debut but because he’s a Gracie I think he’ll be prepared. I’ve had good luck predicting victories for guys making their debuts lately so…
Winner: Rolles Gracie
Coin Picks: Sam Holloway
We’ll have results posted here throughout the evening on Thursday. If you wish to see the picks made by the rest of the staff just: Click here
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