NEW YORK, August 8, 2007- The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s number one professional mixed martial arts league, takes a look at the regular-season-ending matchup between the Nevada Lions, coached by Ken Shamrock, and the Tucson Scorpions, with spots in the IFL World Grand Prix on the line for several stars including unbeaten Scorpions light heavyweight Mike Whitehead and Lions standouts Roy Nelson and John Gunderson, in the next episode of “IFL Battleground” on Monday, August 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT/MT). “IFL Battleground” airs every Monday night, with a replay on Saturday, on MyNetworkTV.
Top athletes profiled in the episode include the Las Vegas native Nelson, who earlier this season made a statement as one of the top heavyweights in the IFL when he matched unbeaten Ben Rothwell blow-for-blow before dropping a close decision. The program also takes a closer look at Nelson’s teammates John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.), who earned a spot on the Lions via the team tryout following an all-night drive to Reno last year, and light heavyweight Vernon White (E. Palo Alto, Calif.), a veteran of more than 60 MMA bouts.
In addition to individual pieces on Nelson, Gunderson and White, the episode goes behind the scenes at Shamrock’s famed “Lion’s Den,” which has produced numerous world-class mixed martial arts competitors, including members of the IFL Lions squad.
Many of the league’s top stars and matchups are profiled in and out of the ring in the episode, which features action from the Las Vegas Hilton, including:
• Gunderson against Gabe Casillas (Tucson, Ariz.) of the Scorpions, a full-time student.
• Nelson, who also runs a free summer-long wrestling camp for kids in his native Las Vegas, against Shane Ott, who took his first IFL bout as a replacement on 24 hours notice in April and won. The winner will qualify for the World Grand Prix, the loser will be out.
• Whitehead, who previously competed in “The Ultimate Fighter” and is unbeaten in IFL competition, vs. White.
• Daniel Molina (Carson City, Nev.) battles Seth Baczynski of the Scorpions in a bout between middleweights looking for their first respective IFL victories.
• Pat Healy (St. Louis) takes his last crack at earning a Grand Prix spot in the welterweight when he takes on IFL newcomer Mike “The Joker” Guymon (Newport Beach, Calif.).
The season-long IFL Ring Girl Search also concludes, with three young ladies selected to represent the league as its official Ring Girls.
Viewers can find their local MyNetworkTV affiliate at www.mynetworktv.com/local_stations.html.
