This is the IFL’s final regular season match-ups pitting Toronto Dragons against the New York Pitbulls and the Tucson Scorpions versus the Nevada Lions.On Saturday June 16, 2007, OTM reports from the Las Vegas Hilton for the International Fight League’s very first foray into the Fight Capital of the World, Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the IFL’s final regular season match-ups pitting Toronto Dragons against the New York Pitbulls and the Tucson Scorpions versus the Nevada Lions. The Dragons are coached by Carlos Newton, who has built a friendly rivalry with the Pitbulls’ coach Renzo Gracie having fought twice in their careers. Newton won the first match-up in Pride in 2003 and Renzo won the rematch at the end of 2006 in an IFL superfight. However, the rivalry between the Lion’s coach Ken Shamrock and the Scorpion’s coach Don Frye is less than friendly. Both men are pioneers of the UFC’s early days and have fought once in early 2002 with Don Frye edging Ken Shamrock in a close split-decision in Pride, that saw Shamrock nearly rip Frye’s knee apart with a heel-hook at one point. Adding to the storyline of their team’s competition is the fact that the Lions need to win 5-0 to advance to the playoffs, while the Scorpions look to gain their first win of the season.
Alternate Bout
Chris Kennedy (Scorpions) vs. Rick Reeves (Lions) – 170 lbs.
Chris Kennedy will be making his IFL debut for the Tuscon Scorpions in the night’s only preliminary battle. He has good wrestling skills with a knack of favoring the guillotine choke. He will be squaring off against a fellow submission-based fighter in Rick Reeves of the Nevada Lions, who will be looking for his second consecutive win in the IFL
Round 1:
Rick Reeves opens with a nice double-leg takedown, after Chris Kennedy connects with a stiff jab. The welterweights are working against the ropes and then clinch towards the center of the ring. Kennedy puts Reeves in half-guard and threatens with a guillotine choke. They scramble for position and Reeves lands two hard downward strikes. A battle of leg-locks ensues, but no one comes out on top, and they scramble until Reeves finds mount, but Kennedy easily stands up. They’re clinched in the corner now, and Reeves scores a body-lock takedown. Reeves nearly has a guillotine choke and switches to triangle. Kennedy answers with a slam, but Reeves locks the choke in tighter. Somehow Kennedy survives to the end of the round and stumbles back to his corner, leaning over the top rope to help regain composure. OTM scores the round 10-9 Reeves.
Round 2:
Kennedy initiates a takedown to start the second, but Reeves easily reverses and is now looking for an armbar. Kennedy fights off Reeves’ legs as he struggles to defend his right arm, which he has as he ends up in the guard. Reeves again threatens Kennedy with a triangle choke, but Kennedy comfortably postures out of danger. That is before he carelessly leans back into the choke. Don Frye and Ken Shamrock both yell instructions to their fighters. Kennedy is surviving, but he’s been in danger several times and has begun to show signs of fatigue due to all of the submissions being launched at him. Reeves is in half-guard as Frye tells Kennedy that there’s only a minute left. The fighters stand back up and Kennedy connects with a stiff jab and they head to the mat one more time as the round ends. OTM scores the second frame 10-9 Reeves.
Round 3:
The fighters slap hands to signal the start of the third and final round. They clinch against the ropes, as Kennedy tries to work on Reeves’ body with knees before placing Reeves on the canvas. Referee Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters and eagerly Kennedy pulls guard looking for a guillotine choke. Kennedy is straining to finish, but Reeves seems comfortable and eventually frees himself. The pace is fast but spastic and Reeves attacks Kennedy’s leg, going for a rolling kneebar before spinning into side-control. Kennedy gets off the ground, but the round ends. OTM scores the final round 10-9 Reeves. The judges at ringside see it the same way and score it unanimously (29-28) for Rick Reeves.
Toronto Dragons vs. New York Pitbulls
Brent Beauparlant (Dragons) vs. Fabio Leopoldo (Pitbulls) – 185 lbs.
Brent Beauparlant is a Quebecois boxer with strong wrestling skills. His last name means “beautiful speaking” in French, but he will have to prove to be more than a cunning linguist if he hopes to stop his opponent in Fabio Leopoldo. Leopoldo is a black-belt in jiu-jitsu under the famed and infamous Ryan Gracie with a flawless 3-0 record in the IFL. Beauparlant should try to sprawl and brawl, while Leopoldo should look to take the fight to the ground and attempt to secure a submission to end the bout.
Round 1:
Brent Beauparlant and Fabio Leopoldo exchange single strikes to start this battle of middleweights. Leopoldo offers the fight’s first strike combination, a one-two that glances off the French-Canadian boxer’s gloves. Leopoldo wins a scramble and finishes with a knee, but Beauparlant is more aggressive and keeps moving in. A hard low kick by Leopoldo is followed by a head-snapping right hand lead. The Brazilian is kicking well, first to the head and now to the body. Beauparlant scores a solid takedown, but Leopoldo immediately looks for a submission. They scramble and return to their feet. Leopoldo is breathing heavily now, while Beauparlant looks comfortable to close out the round. OTM scores the round 10-9 Leopoldo.
Round 2:
There’s a good straight right hand to the gut by Beauparlant, who looks calm as he stalks Leopoldo. Leopoldo takes offers a slow double-leg takedown attempt and Beauparlant easily stuffs the attempt. There’s an exchange of big uppercuts that excites the crowd and Beauparlant is really pushing the action now. He is throwing telegraphed punches, but they are clean combinations. As they tie-up in the center of the ring, Beauparlant throws a nice hook to the body. Beauparlant’s coach Carlos Newton warns him to watch for the countering uppercut. Beauparlant begins targeting Leopoldo’s body with hard body shots. He catches a right hand behind the ear, but is unphased. The Dragon’s corner is asking for a takedown as the round is drawing to an end and Beauparlant obliges with a huge aerial double-leg that leaves both middleweights scrambling to close out the second stanza. OTM scores the second round 10-9 Beauparlant.
Round 3:
Renzo Gracie is in Leopoldo’s face, demanding his fighter respond to Beauparlant’s aggression. They touch gloves and the Brazilian issues a right hand that does nothing. Beauparlant continues where he left off, dropping a combination that attacks the body, and is finished with a solid leg kick. He lands another kick to the leg and another punch to the body. One more leg kick drops Leopoldo to the canvas and Beauparlant walks away. Leopoldo is very tired and eats yet another low kick as the bruising begins to show on his legs. Leopoldo takes punishment on the floor and he talks to Beauparlant, who delivers two more shots before Leopoldo again speaks, this time grabbing his right shoulder. Beauparlant backs off out of concern for Leopoldo and the fight is called due to an injury to Leopoldo’s right shoulder. Leopoldo stands under his own power and is now sitting in the center of the ring on a stool covered in blood. He walks out of the ring and seems hesitant to use his right arm. The TKO comes at 2:22 due to injury and Toronto takes the early lead 1-0.
Wojtek Kaszowski (Dragons) vs. Andre Gusmao (Pitbulls) – 205 lbs.
Wojtek (pronounced “Voy-Tek”) Kaszowski has yet to win a fight in the IFL (or in MMA for that matter), but he’s probably the best 0-6 fighter anywhere in the world. His losses have come against top competition like Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead, or else as the result of extremely close decisions to the likes of MMA veterans like Travis Wiuff, Homer Moore, and teammate Brent Beauparlant. Andre Gusmao is last minute replacement for teammate Jamal Patterson, who hurt his hamstring two days before the weigh-ins. Gusmao is 3-0 (2-0 in the IFL), winning his last fight in December over Beauparlant via unanimous decision. He has a solid jiu-jitsu based style and will look to finish this fight on the ground via submission.
Round 1:
Andre Gusmao starts things off by kicking the inside of Kaszowski’s right leg momentarily drops the Toronto light heavyweight, but the two quickly engage again. Catching a Kaszowski kick, Gusmao slams the fight to the floor where he opens up with a bit of ground-and-pound. Gusmao passes to side-control and plays a tight game. Very little action now, despite Gusmao’s position. Gusmao looks to isolate Kaszowski’s left arm, but Kaszowski defends, at least for a moment. Gusmao begins raining punches down and Kaszowski turns his back. Gusmao immediately looks for a choke that looks more like a horse collar (with fists in the throat) than a rear-naked choke, forcing Kaszowski to submit with 7 seconds remaining in the first round. More importantly he may have convinced Kaszowski to log on to Craig’s List in search of a new career, as his 0-7 MMA career may be one of the most suspect records in the history of the sport, at least at this level anyway. The official time of the fight comes at 3:53 of the first round.
Wagnney Fabiano (Dragons) vs. Erik Owings (Pitbulls) – 155 lbs.
Wagnney Fabiano may be one of the most talented jiu-jitsu practitioners to enter the IFL. Since being recruited by coach Carlos Newton, he has yet to loose a fight in the IFL. More significantly, he has yet to let a fight in the IFL see Round 2. Even the Pitbulls coach Renzo Gracie acknowledged what a threat he feels Fabiano to be, who holds a black-belt in jiu-jitsu from Nova Uniao. Erik Owings has been out of action in 2007 due to an elbow injury, but has relied on his ground game in the past. The ground won’t help him in this fight, so he should look to test Fabiano on the feet and utilize his size, strength, and reach advantage.
Round 1:
Wagnney Fabiano opens with an early double-leg takedown. From there he postures up nicely inside Owings’ closed guard, pries it open with technique (something rare nowadays in MMA), and cuts through the guard with a beautiful toreando guard pass. The wonderfully executed guard pass lands Fabiano in full mount, where he transitions immediately to a straight-armbar, forcing a fast tap out from the hyper-extended arm. Fabiano once again finished an IFL fight in the first round, but this time doing it in under 1 minute, closing out the fight in just 58 seconds after the opening bell to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Gideon Ray (Dragons) vs. Delson “Pe de Chumbo” Heleno (Pitbulls) – 170 lbs.
Gideon Ray is a very welcomed addition to the Dragons after winning via TKO in his IFL debut in April. Fighting at 185 in The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality series, he’s in a more natural weight class at 170 pounds, and his athleticism and ring savvy means he’s a threat to anyone who steps in the ring with him. Delson “Pe de Chumbo” Heleno may be the IFL’s best welterweight. He suffocates opponents with spectacular, world-class jiu-jitsu skills and an aggressive ground game that wears people down over the course of a fight.
Round 1:
Two chiseled looking welterweights move to the center of the ring and touch gloves. They’re dancing and the crowd boos for some action. Pe de Chumbo responds by bum rushing Ray to the canvas. He’s on top in half-guard, but there’s very little action and the crowd voices its displeasure. Pe de Chumbo isn’t listening and moves into full mount, though he’s still not overly active. Pe de Chumbo looks for a triangle from the top, but Ray explodes out of it. Pe de Chumbo reacts by attempting an armbar from the guard, but Ray survives and they return to the feet. A Superman punch by Ray snaps Pe de Chumbo’s head. On the floor now after a scramble, Pe de Chumbo finds another armbar and nearly locks it out, but from underneath Ray stays composed, spins, and survives the opening period. OTM sees the second round 10-9 Pe de Chumbo.
Round 2:
The two combatants dance to start the second and the southpaw Ray lands a nice kick. Pe de Chumbo, who appears to be the physically stronger of the two, puts Ray on his back again and works from half-guard. He works to side-control and then full mount. Again, however, Ray explodes his way out of a bad position, but Pe de Chumbo is still active. He passes and begins working on Ray’s right arm, hyper-extending the limb past the point of no return and Ray appears to be injured as he verbally submits and taps. Ray stands, holding his right arm at the elbow. On the big screen instant replay, Ray and Pe de Chumbo watch as the UFC veteran’s right elbow pops disturbingly out of place. The crowd groans at the image, but the Pitbulls are happy, as they’ve forced this one to a deciding fifth fight. The verbal submission came at 1:29 of the second round.
Rafael “Feijao” Custodio (Dragons) vs. Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz (Pitbulls) – 265 lbs.
Rafael “Feijao” Custodio is a native to Ro de Janeiro, Brazil having won all four of his professional MMA fights. He won convincingly in his MMA debut over Devin Cole via TKO in February. Feijao is primarily a striker with surprising agility and accuracy for a heavyweight. He likes to stuff takedowns and force opponents to eat big right hands on their way in, which is likely the same strategy he’ll employ against the submission expert Pe de Pano. Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz is the newest addition to the Pitbulls, filling in for Bryan Vetell. Pe de Pano is best known for his exploits as a jiu-jitsu world champion, but his recent entrance into the world of MMA (all in the UFC) saw him down Keigo Kunihara and Frank Mir, before losing to Jeff Monson and Andrei Arlovski.
Round 1:
Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz immediately tries a single-leg, but Rafael “Feijao” Custodio stands his ground and has fought off the takedown for almost a minute. The heavyweights are clinched against the ropes and Pe de Pano finally decides to pull guard. Feijao works inside Pe de Pano’s guard, but the action is very slow and tedious. Feijao stands above Pe de Pano and begins to sink low kicks into the jiu-jitsu champion’s legs. Feijao backs away and Pe de Pano butt scoots with an open guard. Pe de Pan joins him on the feet and again dives with poor wrestling skills for a single-leg takedown. Finally, Pe de Pano gets a takedown, but Feijao grabs the ropes and ends up on top. Referee Mario Yamasaki immediately calls time and takes a point away from Feijao for grabbing the ropes, making it a 9-9 round on the OTM card.
Round 2:
Pe de Pano is breathing heavily and looks fat and out of shape as the fight restarts. Feijao lands a clean left hook, before fending off another Pe de Pano takedown attempt. Pe de Pano really needs a change of fortune and he gets one as Feijao clumsily sprawls through the ropes. Pe de Pano takes back mount and unloads punches, and does the same as Feijao rolls to face him. Feijao has regained some control by putting Pe de Pano in the half-guard, but it appears Pe de Pano might end the fight a la Frank Mir. Pe de Pano is still on top, though his pace has diminished. Feijao takes several right hands to his ribs before finally regaining full guard. Pe de Pano has made the most of this chance, and he continues to pound on Feijao like he owes him money. In the final moments of the round, Yamasaki stands the heavyweights and Feijao lands an uppercut. OTM scores it 10-9 Pe de Pano.
Round 3:
Pe de Pano once again tries for a single-leg and eats a right hand for his efforts. He remains vigilant and plants Feijao in the center of the ring, where they now fight from the guard. Pe de Pano is beginning to take over the fight, staying active with ground-and-pound despite the Carlos Newton and the Toronto corner calling for Yamasaki to stand the fighters. Pe de Pano delivers a Sakuraba-like double hammer fist, which is more for show than substance. Newton calls for a point deduction due to what he thought was a head butt to Feijao’ chest from Pe de Pano. The crowd begins to boo and Feijao lands a flailing illegal kick Pe de Pano’s head. Yamasaki penalizes Feijao a point. The fight restarts and Feijao again plants an illegal kick to Pe de Pano’s face. Pe de Pano, never one not to cry wolf, over dramatizes the damage, as Yamasaki stands over the fighters and calls the fight by disqualifying Feijao. The 3-2 loss eliminates Toronto from playoff contention. New York, now 3-0 on the season, becomes the third team to qualify for the IFL playoffs.
Tucson Scorpions vs. Nevada Lions
Seth Baczynski (Scorpions) vs. Daniel Molina (Lions) – 185 lbs.
Seth Baczynski is newcomer to MMA, who claims Freestyle Fighting to be his style of fighting with his preference being to take the fight to the ground. He lost his IFL debut via decision in April and looks to even that margin. Dan Molina is no stranger to the ground game himself, as he is quite active at competitive grappling tournaments. As the youngest member of Shamrock’s Lions, he will also be looking to prove he belongs by picking up his first win in the IFL.
Round 1:
Seth Baczynski comes out punching, but gives up an easy takedown. He’s trying to play from the bottom, lifting his legs high for a rubber guard, as Dan Molina stays tight. Molina confidently stands and lands a nice left hand, but soon enough he’s back in the guard. Molina is clearly pushing the action and goes for Baczynski’s left leg, forcing a tap out from heel-hook at 1:32 of the opening period. Afterwards in the post-fight press conference, coach Ken Shamrock proudly declared that Molina would be a force to be reckoned with in 6-12 months. Nevada takes the early lead as they go up 1-0.
Mike “Joker” Guymon (Scorpions) vs. Pat “Bam Bam” Healy (Lions) – 170 lbs.
Mike “Joker” Guymon, known as the former prankster of the TapouT crew is no stranger to the competitive MMA scene. His first professional fight took place in 1999 and he only has one lone loss entering tonight’s action, which was a submission loss to TUF 1 champion and UFC welterweight contender Diego Sanchez. Joker is a submission artist by trade and will be facing a savvy ground n’ pound MMA veteran in Pat “Bam Bam” Healy who will be fighting in his 30th professional MMA bout.
Round 1:
Joker initiates a clinch off the opening bell, and they’ve worked themselves into the Nevada corner, where coach Ken Shamrock is looking on. Joker works knees in the clinch before snapping off a left hook. Bam Bam takes it well and quickly finds himself on top of Joker, now ground-and-pounding from the closed guard. Standing again, the welterweights trade shots. Joker connects with two lead rights, and they’re clinched again, which Bam Bam takes advantage of with a trip takedown. Scrambling to the feet, Joker connects with a right hand that drops Bam Bam. He follows with several hard shots before the bell signals to end the first frame. OTM scored the opening round 10-9 Joker.
Round 2:
Joker and Bam Bam smile and touch gloves to start the middle period. Joker gives up a takedown and the pace slows. Joker is close to a triangle attempt but Healy’s right arm is in the way. Some decent ground work here, as Bam Bam looks for positions to throw strikes from. Coach Frye, sporting a Star Spangled button-down shirt, implores his fighter to stand. Joker obliges, but just for a moment, as Bam Bam again puts Joker on the canvas. OTM scored the second round 10-9 Bam Bam.
Round 3:
A lead knee by Joker connects to Bam Bam’s chin. He lands another and the fighters stand in front of one another trading blows, until Bam Bam easily puts Joker down. Some methodical groundwork stirs a restless crowd. Healy peppers Joker with short strikes from half-guard, but nothing remotely damaging. Ten seconds remaining in the feet and Bam Bam continues to be the more active fighter. He ends the contest walking to his corner with his hands raised, while Joker kneels on the canvas. OTM scored the final round 10-9 Bam Bam, making it 29-28 for the Nevada Lions 170-pounder. Judges at ringside differ in their decision. “Judo” Gene Le Bell and Patricia Morse Jarman score it 29-28 for Healy, while Abe Belardo scored it at 29-28 for Joker.
Gabriel Casillas (Scorpions) vs. John “Guns” Gunderson (Lions) – 155 lbs.
Gabe Casillas started training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 and was already boxing at an amateur level in boxing while in High School. His status as a full-time student prevents him from training MMA full-time, which might not bode well considering he will be facing one of the IFL’s top lightweights in John Gunderson. At 27 years old, Gunderson is finally coming into his own in MMA, since making the cut as a member of Ken Shamrock’s Lions. He has strong ground skills and an impressive 14-4 record, which includes a TKO win over Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. He is 2-1 in the IFL with his lone loss coming via a very close split decision in April.
Round 1:
The lightweights come out with a bang, but it’s John Gunderson who asserts his will first with a high amplitude double-leg takedown sending Gabe Casillas hard to the mat, while Gunderson begins working from side control. Casillas works on Gunderson’s neck to slow him down, but never endangers the Lions’ fighter as he easily escapes the meaningless headlock. Now working in Casillas’ guard, Gunderson begins delivering some chopping hammer fists, even sitting up to strike when given the chance. The action is slow now as the round enters its final sixty seconds. Gunderson sits up and lands three more punches. In the round’s waning moments, the lightweights slug it out until the bell sounds. OTM scores the first round 10-9 Gunderson.
Round 2:
The second stanza starts with punches being thrown, but none with any real effect. However, it allows Casillas to clinch, which he uses to set up an inside trip takedown. Gunderson locks on a kimura to Casillas’ right arm and reverses briefly to mount, but Casillas finds himself scrambling to avoid the submission, as coach Don Frye encourages him to “Beat his ass! Beat his ass!” Gunderson is still looking for the kimura on Casillas’ arm and is now on top as he cranks on it. It looks brutally extended with the hand well behind Casillas’ shoulder, yet he remains in the fight and won’t give in, showing a lot of heart and even more flexibility. Gunderson uses the advantageous position to transition nicely to Casillas’ back, where he gets one hook in and sinks in a deep Rear Naked Choke to seal the team victory for the Nevada Lions. The Las Vegas crowd cheers its approval, as Gunderson proved why he is one of the IFL’s Top Four lightweights, whom will be competing in the IFL’s 4-man lightweight Grand Prix later this fall. The official time of the submission came at 2:58 of Round 2.
Shane Ott (Scorpions) vs. Roy “Big Country” Nelson (Lions) – 265 lbs.
Roy “Big Country” Nelson is a fighter who’s trained alongside some of the best in the world, including former UFC champions Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, B.J. Penn, and Ricco Rodriguez. He’s won numerous grappling titles and has competed at the world-renowned ADCC World Championships. Shane Ott is a relative newcomer to the world of MMA with a 3-0 record. However all three of those wins have come in 2007, which includes a fight he won on 24 hours notice over the highly regarded Chad Griggs via kimura in his IFL debut on April 13th.
Round 1:
The heavyweights immediately enter into a battle for position. Big Country, surprisingly nimble for his size, finally puts Ott on the canvas with a body-lock takedown. Big Country takes Ott’s back and looks for the choke, but Ott won’t give in so easily. Back on the feet they’re tie-up in a neutral corner. Again Big Country has Ott’s back, looking for a fight-ending choke. The Vegas crowd is looking for another Lions win and Big Country is trying hard to give them just that. The round comes to a close and Ott will live to fight at least another round. OTM scores the first round 10-9 Big Country.
Round 2:
Big Country throws a gnarly haymaker past the right side of Ott’s head. They clinch and Big Country drives Ott through the ropes headfirst. Ott is fine and referee Josh Rosenthal restarts them in the center of the ring. Ott is beginning to connect, landing a combination on the pot-bellied Big Country. Ott looks for a kimura and Big Country quickly rolls out of danger. Back on the feet, they clinch again. The fight has gone into slow-mo and the crowd voices its disapproval with resounding boos that filter towards the ring. Referee Rosenthal is content to watch, which is fine for Big Country who just scored another solid takedown as the round came to a close. OTM scores the second stanza 10-9 Big Country.
Round 3:
Both men touch gloves to start the final frame. Big Country lands a big low kick that forces a grimace across Ott’s face. Big Country is scoring early and often. They clinch and the crowd demands knees. Big Country gives them what they want and they cheer with each one. Ott won’t back down from the knees and he throws his hands, but he can’t seem to do much with Big Country, who nearly forces him through the ropes again. Ott ends up on top after a scramble that started with him connecting hard with a jab. It’s not pretty right now. They hug and Big Country tosses Ott with a one-arm whizzer. Big Country, bleeding from a cut near his right eye, has back-control now and pounds away, as the heavyweights end the fight to a resounding applause. OTM scored the final round 10-9 Big Country. The judges agree with OTM, 30-27 across the board for Big Country. The Lions are one win away from a sweep and a trip to the IFL playoffs.
“Iron” Mike Whitehead (Scorpions) vs. Vernon “Tiger” White (Lions) – 205 lbs.
Mike Whitehead is most known in MMA for his time spent on Season Two of The Ultimate Fighter, where coach Matt Hughes thought so highly of him, he actually made him a team captain. Whitehead is a very accomplished wrestler, having wrestled D-1 at the University of Missouri and made a huge statement in his first IFL fight by destroying MMA legend Mark Kerr in an IFL superfight last November. He will be facing another savvy MMA veteran in Vernon “Tiger” White, who has nearly 60 career MMA fights and was one of the founding members of coach Ken Shamrock’s famed Lion’s Den.
Round 1:
The light-heavyweights meet head on and Mike Whitehead puts Tiger White on the canvas early with relative ease. Whitehead begins working on Tiger’s left arm as he tries to pry it free. But White has been here a million times and easily thwarts the sub attempt. Whitehead works from half-guard and again looks to target Tiger’s left arm. They exchange short shots, and Whitehead is getting a bit more aggressive now. From half-guard Whitehead sits up and rains down a combination of punches, none of which did much damage, but it did help Whitehead to move to side-control. Whitehead transitions as Tiger turtles up, and he pounds down shots as the round comes to a close. It’s virtually impossible to hurt Tiger, but that doesn’t matter to Ken Shamrock who gets in his fighter’s face as he walks back to the corner. OTM scored it 10-9 Whitehead.
Round 2:
Whitehead storms out of his corner and puts the veteran Tiger on his back again. Tiger’s complete lack of a sprawl combined with Whitehead’s takedown prowess seems to be the theme of this match. Whitehead has back-control and is delivering shots to both sides of Tiger’s head. Tiger is taking shots and not doing anything except covering the back of his head with both hands, while not moving at all. Whitehead tells referee Steve Mazzagatti that Tiger is done, and the fight is finally called via referee’s stoppage. Whitehead saves the Scorpion’s from being shut out, while both Tiger and Shamrock are furious. Shamrock screams at Mazzagatti, who walks away before the confrontation grows into anything more than a few choice words and profanity. The official time is 54 seconds of Round 2 and the final team tally finds the Lions defeating the Scorpions 4-1, but both teams are knocked out of playoff contention.
IFL – Las Vegas (June 16, 2007)
Match Winner Loser Method Round Time
1 Rick Reeves over Chris Kennedy Decision (Unanimous) Round 3, 4:002 Brent Beauparlant over Fabio Leopoldo TKO (Arm Injury) Round 3, 2:223 Andre Gusmao over Wojtek Kaszowski Submission (Modified Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 3:534 Wagnney Fabiano over Erik Owings Submission (Armbar) Round 1, 0:585 Delson “Pe de Chumbo” Heleno over Gideon Ray Submission (Keylock) Round 2, 1:296 Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz over Rafael “Feijao” Custodio DQ (Illegal Kick) Round 3, 3:427 Daniel Molina over Seth Baczynski Submission (Heel-Hook) Round 1, 1:328 Pat “Bam Bam” Healy over Mike “Joker” Guymon Decision (Split) Round 3, 4:009 John “Guns” Gunderson over Gabriel Casillas Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2, 2:5810 Roy “Big Country” Nelson over Shane Ott Decision (Unanimous) Round 3, 4:0011 “Iron” Mike Whitehead over Vernon “Tiger” White TKO (Strikes) Round 2, 0:54