Former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez — a sudden member of the New York Pitbulls — dropped a unanimous decision last night to Ben Rothwell of the Quad City Silverbacks during the International Fight League (IFL) 2007 Team Finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
“Suave” was a last-minute replacement for the injured Bryan Vetell.
Both fighters appeared to come out tentative — the action didn’t really heat up until mid-way through the third and final round. Rodriguez attempted about a dozen standing guillotines during the fight, none of which panned out. There were some nice exchanges but neither fighter ever seemed in trouble at any time.
It was good to see the champ back in action even in a losing effort. He has battled some serious personal demons and it would be nice to see him make a solid comeback. There’s no doubt in my mind that the old Ricco would have crushed Rothwell.
Oh, by the way, UFCmania.com was in attendance thanks to the good folks at the IFL to check out the heavyweight fight, as well as the event as a whole. And all in all the entire show went over well with the fans in the stands.
In fact, the attendees were into it and the turn out seemed to be solid.
Admittedly, I’m not huge supporter of the “team” approach to mixed martial arts. Fighting to me is an individual sport and when a team loses I think it takes away from the fighters who win on the losing teams.
Does that make sense? It does to me.
Regardless, last night the Pitbulls and Silverbacks were all tied up at two apiece going into the final fight (a team needs three wins to be declared the victor). The anticipation and excitement from section 203 was palpable.
It was short-lived when Andre Gusmao dropped Mike Ciesnolevicz in the opening seconds of round one with a bone crushing knee to the face, sending the Renzo Gracie-coached Pitbulls into a furor.
The team stormed the ring and hoisted Gusmao and Gracie onto their shoulders — it was really a thrilling “team” moment.
Something I never thought I’d say prior to last night.
30 Comments »
First Post… booyah!!!
i’ll admit i watch the ifl from time to time as well, and have seem some pretty decent fights. the whole team concept is confusing to me as well. it gets to where i’ll watch anything mma anymore, even the old pride highlight reruns and ufc unleashed reruns as well. the only thing i refuse to watch is the world combat league. what a joke!
NeW York PitBulls!!! Congrats to Renzo and his Team.
I hate Ben Rothwell. Bring this fucker to the UFC so he can get pounded out. I saw him in the IFL vs. some short overweight guy that pushed the fight, landed more, and definately should have won, but since Ben Rothwell is one of the poster boys of IFL and has never been beat they gave him the decision. such BULLSHIT! I guess IFL needs an undefeated guy like him though so they dont go into the ground.
Since UFCMANIA was at this event did you see Kurt Angle? Kurt Angle was rumored to be there, and he is in heavy contract talks with the IFL.
[quote comment="154499"]Since UFCMANIA was at this event did you see Kurt Angle? Kurt Angle was rumored to be there, and he is in heavy contract talks with the IFL.[/quote]
No, we didn’t stick around for the post-fight presser. It was late and past my bedtime.
[quote comment="154474"]i’ll admit i watch the ifl from time to time as well, and have seem some pretty decent fights. the whole team concept is confusing to me as well. it gets to where i’ll watch anything mma anymore, even the old pride highlight reruns and ufc unleashed reruns as well. the only thing i refuse to watch is the world combat league. what a joke![/quote]
I am the same way. I like almost anything MMA driven now. It is funny, I was watching some American Gladiator re-runs on the web the other day. I remember how cool that show used to be. Man compared to the Fight entertainment on today that show look as gay as gay can be. lol. I was busting up.
The IFL has been fun to watch and I am really getting into some of the teams. I am a little dissapointed in the local team in AZ coached by Don Frye, but there have been rumors of someone who is legit, starting another one here.
[quote comment="154496"]I hate Ben Rothwell. Bring this fucker to the UFC so he can get pounded out. I saw him in the IFL vs. some short overweight guy that pushed the fight, landed more, and definately should have won, but since Ben Rothwell is one of the poster boys of IFL and has never been beat they gave him the decision. such BULLSHIT! I guess IFL needs an undefeated guy like him though so they dont go into the ground.[/quote]
..I pretty sure it was the fight with the guy who was wearing the camo green shorts ( real good on the ground )..I forget his name..but he beat the crap out of Ben..and I felt was robbed and without a question.
As long as the Militech team lost, that’s all that’s important. And the Renzo Gracie team winning has to give hope to any Serra supporters in the TUF 6 comp.
IFLMania.com?
[quote comment="154522"]As long as the Militech team lost, that’s all that’s important. And the Renzo Gracie team winning has to give hope to any Serra supporters in the TUF 6 comp.[/quote]
Yeh I agree. Its always to good to see the cobra Cai dojo assewholes of MMA (the militich camp) loose.
Id like to c Rothwell get pounded in mma. Ricco was prolly all geeked up ne way.
Why in the world do up an comming organization
in the USA like UFC, IFL, WEC even entertain the thought of signing posterboy roid heads like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesner in the midddle of a huge steroid epedemic that is terrorizing the reputations of American Professional sport. MMA organizations have been working hard in an attempt to try and bring the sport mainstream. I dont see how bringing these roid head actors that try an call themselves professional wrestlers into mma. How long do you think it will be until one of these clowns test positive for roids? That will attract tons of negative media attention that cant HELP the sport of mma.
The UFC has said repeatedly that they wouldnt provide any “Freakshow” fights like PRIDE had Giant Silva, Butterbean and Japanease actors. I really hope that the UFC doesnt bring any clowns like that into their organization.
[quote comment="154508"][quote comment="154496"]I hate Ben Rothwell. Bring this fucker to the UFC so he can get pounded out. I saw him in the IFL vs. some short overweight guy that pushed the fight, landed more, and definately should have won, but since Ben Rothwell is one of the poster boys of IFL and has never been beat they gave him the decision. such BULLSHIT! I guess IFL needs an undefeated guy like him though so they dont go into the ground.[/quote]
..I pretty sure it was the fight with the guy who was wearing the camo green shorts ( real good on the ground )..I forget his name..but he beat the crap out of Ben..and I felt was robbed and without a question.[/quote]
Yup…i found him…its Roy Nelson. He was a slow ass heavyweight with what looked like 100 extra pounds and still pushed the fight more than ben did for all 3 rounds. Ben should definately have a loss on his record but just cause hes the poster boy and generally more exciting in other fights they give ben the decision. FUCKIN BULLSHIT!!!
The IFL has always frustrated me. It wasn’t the sub-par talent of its fighters giving me frustration, i expected that, it was the organization it-self. The tv broadcast were on a monday night here and I couldn’t tell if this was a recent match or not. I just couldn’t keep track like you can with football.
So I watched it from time to time and saw some entertaining fights and alot of horrible ones.
John: I ditto your sentiment. I hope the UFC protects the integrity of MMA and does not sell out lame for fame. I hated when boxing would have Foreman vs Holmes, or two overaged guys going at it. Or like you said actors, and clowns.
Question: Is there anyone in the IFL that could make the leap to the UFC?
[quote comment="154508"][quote comment="154496"]I hate Ben Rothwell. Bring this fucker to the UFC so he can get pounded out. I saw him in the IFL vs. some short overweight guy that pushed the fight, landed more, and definately should have won, but since Ben Rothwell is one of the poster boys of IFL and has never been beat they gave him the decision. such BULLSHIT! I guess IFL needs an undefeated guy like him though so they dont go into the ground.[/quote]
..I pretty sure it was the fight with the guy who was wearing the camo green shorts ( real good on the ground )..I forget his name..but he beat the crap out of Ben..and I felt was robbed and without a question.[/quote]
Country Roy Nelson… Bodog vet and currently fights for Shamrock’s Lions. Yeah… that was a total JOKE. Nelson even though he is one fat mofo is a hell of a fighter.
IFL’s decisions are flat out laffable. Any of you guys bitch about Tito/Rashad, Bisping/Hammil, check out half of the decisions in the IFL and you will piss your pants. Only reason I watch IFL is it comes through in HD, Tiffany Fallon is GORGEOUS, and Bas is teh shizot.
And yeah, I hate Ben Rothwell…have my buddy speak to Renzo.. sign me up to beat his ass!
[quote comment="154568"]The IFL has always frustrated me. It wasn’t the sub-par talent of its fighters giving me frustration, i expected that, it was the organization it-self. The tv broadcast were on a monday night here and I couldn’t tell if this was a recent match or not. I just couldn’t keep track like you can with football.
So I watched it from time to time and saw some entertaining fights and alot of horrible ones.
John: I ditto your sentiment. I hope the UFC protects the integrity of MMA and does not sell out lame for fame. I hated when boxing would have Foreman vs Holmes, or two overaged guys going at it. Or like you said actors, and clowns.
Question: Is there anyone in the IFL that could make the leap to the UFC?[/quote]
The only ones would be the ones that have already fought in the UFC. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jay Hieron back in the UFC. A fight between him and Cummo would be good.
“It was good to see the champ back in action even in a losing effort.” Ricco fought 5 times in 06, and this is his 2nd fight in 07. Please explain further.
[quote comment="154568"]The IFL has always frustrated me. It wasn’t the sub-par talent of its fighters giving me frustration, i expected that, it was the organization it-self. The tv broadcast were on a monday night here and I couldn’t tell if this was a recent match or not. I just couldn’t keep track like you can with football.
So I watched it from time to time and saw some entertaining fights and alot of horrible ones.
John: I ditto your sentiment. I hope the UFC protects the integrity of MMA and does not sell out lame for fame. I hated when boxing would have Foreman vs Holmes, or two overaged guys going at it. Or like you said actors, and clowns.
Question: Is there anyone in the IFL that could make the leap to the UFC?[/quote]
Eventually Horedecki could become a hell of a UFC fighter. He is only 19 years old and hasnt loss in the IFL. Yeah, its only the IFL, but at 19 the IFL is a big show, he is used to the cammeras being on him, and he is really a devastating striker for his age at Lightweight. Right now, the “polish Hammer” is not UFC ready and rushing him in the octagon wouldnt be good for his career, but chris is a Bas Rutten protege and he has got the heart and work ethic to become a hell of a Lightweight fighter in the UFC one day!
[quote comment="154474"] the only thing i refuse to watch is the world combat league. what a joke![/quote]
I couldn’t have said it better. I don’t hate any MMA except for the WCL
[quote comment="154583"][quote comment="154508"][quote comment="154496"]I hate Ben Rothwell. Bring this fucker to the UFC so he can get pounded out. I saw him in the IFL vs. some short overweight guy that pushed the fight, landed more, and definately should have won, but since Ben Rothwell is one of the poster boys of IFL and has never been beat they gave him the decision. such BULLSHIT! I guess IFL needs an undefeated guy like him though so they dont go into the ground.[/quote]
..I pretty sure it was the fight with the guy who was wearing the camo green shorts ( real good on the ground )..I forget his name..but he beat the crap out of Ben..and I felt was robbed and without a question.[/quote]
Country Roy Nelson… Bodog vet and currently fights for Shamrock’s Lions. Yeah… that was a total JOKE. Nelson even though he is one fat mofo is a hell of a fighter.
IFL’s decisions are flat out laffable. Any of you guys bitch about Tito/Rashad, Bisping/Hammil, check out half of the decisions in the IFL and you will piss your pants. Only reason I watch IFL is it comes through in HD, Tiffany Fallon is GORGEOUS, and Bas is teh shizot.
And yeah, I hate Ben Rothwell…have my buddy speak to Renzo.. sign me up to beat his ass![/quote]
The decisions are horrible because they only have a few well known people in the IFL and if they lose then no one will want to watch them or IFL period. I really hope they bring Rothwell over to UFC and wacth him get laid right the FUCK OUT!!!
[quote comment="154615"]Eventually Horedecki could become a hell of a UFC fighter. He is only 19 years old and hasnt loss in the IFL. Yeah, its only the IFL, but at 19 the IFL is a big show, he is used to the cammeras being on him, and he is really a devastating striker for his age at Lightweight. Right now, the “polish Hammer” is not UFC ready and rushing him in the octagon wouldnt be good for his career, but chris is a Bas Rutten protege and he has got the heart and work ethic to become a hell of a Lightweight fighter in the UFC one day![/quote]He is a combo puncher though, not really physically developed, and besides Bart, hasnt really faced any noteable talent. Throw him in there against Guida, Griffin… anyone in the top 8-20 in the UFC and he is gonna be ass paper.
The main thing I dont like about the IFL is, their production of the MyTV show is HORRIBLE. No MMA fan wants rap songs and stupidity… Rothwell talking about what his name breaks down to and acting all cool. We want the substance which is FIGHTS and occasion hot T&A (which they got in Tiffany.) There are a lot of good fighters in the IFL… great coaches, interesting concept, GREAT commentator in Bas… but the after/post fight production makes me feel like Im listening to a pop radio station with all the stupidty, flash, and poor context. Prolly another reason why I like Bodog so much… Pretty straight forward with interveiws, occassional T&A, then right to the fights. Take a note from the UFC/WEC and run your TV shows like their run theirs…
[quote comment="154545"][quote comment="154522"]As long as the Militech team lost, that’s all that’s important. And the Renzo Gracie team winning has to give hope to any Serra supporters in the TUF 6 comp.[/quote]
Yeh I agree. Its always to good to see the cobra Cai dojo assewholes of MMA (the militich camp) loose.
Id like to c Rothwell get pounded in mma. Ricco was prolly all geeked up ne way.
Why in the world do up an comming organization
in the USA like UFC, IFL, WEC even entertain the thought of signing posterboy roid heads like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesner in the midddle of a huge steroid epedemic that is terrorizing the reputations of American Professional sport. MMA organizations have been working hard in an attempt to try and bring the sport mainstream. I dont see how bringing these roid head actors that try an call themselves professional wrestlers into mma. How long do you think it will be until one of these clowns test positive for roids? That will attract tons of negative media attention that cant HELP the sport of mma.
The UFC has said repeatedly that they wouldnt provide any “Freakshow” fights like PRIDE had Giant Silva, Butterbean and Japanease actors. I really hope that the UFC doesnt bring any clowns like that into their organization.[/quote]
I agree with you to an extent… however… I would like to see what Lesnar has to offer. Go to youtube and look at some old videos of him wrestling. He’s a beast. Sure… theres a steroid controversy… but I’d like to see what he has to offer. After all… he says he never taken an illegal substance in his life “wink, wink”
[quote comment="154503"][quote comment="154474"]i’ll admit i watch the ifl from time to time as well, and have seem some pretty decent fights. the whole team concept is confusing to me as well. it gets to where i’ll watch anything mma anymore, even the old pride highlight reruns and ufc unleashed reruns as well. the only thing i refuse to watch is the world combat league. what a joke![/quote]
I am the same way. I like almost anything MMA driven now. It is funny, I was watching some American Gladiator re-runs on the web the other day. I remember how cool that show used to be. Man compared to the Fight entertainment on today that show look as gay as gay can be. lol. I was busting up.
The IFL has been fun to watch and I am really getting into some of the teams. I am a little dissapointed in the local team in AZ coached by Don Frye, but there have been rumors of someone who is legit, starting another one here.[/quote]
i watched the american gladators as well and thought it was cool back then also. iv’e heard rumors that NBC or FOX is supposed to be bringing it back to primetime with a new updated version. i think i seen this info on the G4 channel.
[quote comment="154661"][quote comment="154474"] the only thing i refuse to watch is the world combat league. what a joke![/quote]
I couldn’t have said it better. I don’t hate any MMA except for the WCL[/quote]
i dont even consider the wcl as mma. it’s just some lame-ass kickboxing.
American Gladiator is teh shit! ESPN Classic!
I happened to catch that Rothwell-Nelson fight also. And yeah it was a bunch of crap. I’ll watch IFL if i can’t find anything else good on to watch. When they first started showing it on the MyNetwork channel, i watched the first couple weeks and i swear it had to be fixed. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but both times it went one team wins, then the other team, until they came down to the last fighter to win it for the team. And i remember one of them they were making a big deal about one of the fighters and he got his ass beat, then it had to go down to the last two guys. Since then i just couldn’t really get into IFL.
I know Kurt Angle was using roids immediately after neck surgery and under a doctor’s supervision, but I don’t know that he’s abused them for performance-enhancement. There was an article today on foxsports.com about Angle going to IFL with a picture of him when he won his gold medal in 1996. He looked to me to be almost exactly the same size as he was throughout his WWF/E career. And if he and Lesnar are good fighters and not sideshows or carnival acts, then why the hell not let them fight in UFC?
Rothwell is racking up a shitload of wins!:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=2262
[quote comment="154499"]Since UFCMANIA was at this event did you see Kurt Angle? Kurt Angle was rumored to be there, and he is in heavy contract talks with the IFL.[/quote]
there is no way Kurt could compete in the IFL, not with his neck, he’ll never be 100%
Didn’t Ben get beaten out of the UFC some years back?
RICCO CALL ME!!!!!! 561-340-9180
love, jackie