GUT REACTION

The IFL was in East Rutherford, NJ this past Friday night with three titles on the line. All three belts were retained, as Vladimir Matyushenko, Jay Hieron and Wagnney Fabiano were all victorious. Matyushenko struggled in the 1st rd, but completely dominated the 2nd as he pounded out a TKO via strikes. How is this guy not talked about more often? He’s on an 8-fight win streak (with his last loss coming at the hands of Andrei Arlovski.) and his overall record is (21-3). Look for EliteXC to bring him in soon. Jay Hieron won his Welterweight title fight against Mark Miller with a 1st rd TKO. Hieron improved his record to (15-4) and is on a 3 fight-winning streak. I would like to see him in the WEC adding some depth to their Welterweight division. If it seems as though I want these guys out of the IFL, it’s because I do. Let’s face it, the best fighter’s should be in the best organizations and the IFL is not in the same league as the UFC, WEC or the EliteXC. Anyway back to the fights, Wagnney Fabiano wasted little time defending his belt as he KO’d Shad Lierley in just 37 seconds of the 1st rd. Chris Horodecki improved to (12-1) with a unanimous decision over Nate Lamotte.
Manny Gamburyan has been taking some heat on the Internet over his so-called dirty move he pulled on opponent Jeff Cox at UFC Fight Night. As they came out to meet Gamburyan acted as though he was going to touch gloves with Cox, then threw a kick. Not exactly my style, but the ref does say “protect yourself at all times” and technically the fight had already started. Had he KO’d Cox with that kick I’m sure this would be a much bigger story. Turns out Manny got the win anyway as he chocked out Cox.
UFC has added 3 more fights to the Rampage-Griffin card. Frank Mir will take on Justin McCully, Joe Stevenson will go against Gleison Tibau and Melvin Guillard against Denis Siver. Not fights I’m pumped about, But the Mir-McCully bout may be interesting, McCully’s a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so should the big guys go to the ground it could get pretty technical. I’m just wondering why they would have such an accomplished fighter like Mir take on a guy who only has one other fight in the Octagon? Then again I have questioned Joe Silva’s matchmaking before, only to have the guy I didn’t think belonged in their end up winning (Gray Maynard).I’m sure they’ll round out this card with at least one more big fight. Stay tuned.