Top Mixed Martial Arts Athletes In World Grand Prix Semifinal Action Begins Third Season on FSN
NEW YORK, April 17, 2008 – International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) stars Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario), Bart Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.), Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will be among those featured as Fox Sports Net (FSN) will present the season debut of the one-hour “IFL Fight Night” show on Saturday, April 19, at midnight local time in most markets. The highlighted bouts were contested as part of the IFL World Grand Prix semifinal event which ultimately led to the crowning of IFL champions in six weight classes.
The broadcast will mark the start of the third year of IFL coverage on FSN, which expanded from 10 original hours in 2006 to more than 30 last year. New weekly “IFL Fight Night” shows, featuring many bouts not previously seen on basic cable, are scheduled through mid-July. Fans can confirm the time on their respective regional FSN networks at http://www.ifl.tv/TV-Schedule-FSN.html.
• Horodecki, who has emerged as one of the top young stars in mixed martial arts, battles veteran Palaszewski in the rematch of their epic lightweight battle from earlier in 2007, won narrowly by the 20-year-old Canadian.
• Fabiano puts his unbeaten IFL mark on the line against John Gunderson (Las Vegas) in another matchup of lightweights.
• Radach battles bruising fellow middleweight Brent Beauparlant (Ottawa, Ontario) in a bout pitting two of the league’s top punchers – and who have both proven an innate ability to take their opponent’s best shots.
• Middleweight standouts Bryan Foster (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) tangle in a matchup of excellent all-around fighters.
“This is a strong set of bouts to open the 2008 FSN schedule,” said IFL CEO Jay Larkin. “Competition between the top fighters provided top-notch action, and since three of these fights were not shown on basic cable or on our live network broadcast, this will be the first opportunity for many fans to see these exciting contests on television.”
Veteran IFL play-by-play man Kenny Rice is joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten at the microphone ringside, with Ron Kruck providing additional commentary.
In addition to the weekly “IFL Fight Night” on FSN, as well as in over 70 other countries and five continents around the world, ranging from HBO Latin America to Star TV in Asia and Middle Eastern Broadcasting and the Armed Forces Network, the first three IFL events of the year are being shown live on HDNet. IFL programming is already among the most viewed MMA programming worldwide, despite being in existence only two years.
The next live IFL event is set for May 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., where three Championship belts will be on the line. HDNet will again provide live coverage.
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
