“IFL BATTLEGROUND” HIGHLIGHTS DON FRYE’S SCORPIONS, REVAMPED TOKYO SABRES THIS MONDAY ON MyNetworkTV
Popular “Dear Don” Column Finds TV Home; “American Dream” Story of Vladimir Matyushenko, “Schwarzenegger of Japan” Ken Yasuda, Tucson Paramedic, Heavyweight Chad Griggs all featured in this week’s episode
NEW YORK, April 26, 2007- The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s first team-based professional mixed martial arts league, will bring fans from the Southwest to the Far East as “IFL Battleground,” the series chronicling the league, takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the Tucson Scorpions and their charismatic coach, Don Frye, and the Tokyo Sabres, led by the “Schwarzenegger of Japan,” champion trainer and bodybuilder Ken Yasuda, on Monday, April 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT/MT).. “IFL Battleground” airs every Monday night on MyNetworkTV
Some of the highlights seen during this week’s six full bouts include:
• “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (Los Angeles) of the Sabres recounts his “American Dream” type story: he defected from his native Belarus in 1993, and with little money, no English skills and with the help a few international wrestling friends, moved to California where he became a collegiate All-American, graduated from the Univ. of Nevada and has become one of the most feared mixed martial artists in the world. Matyushenko is now making his mark at the very top of the IFL light heavyweight class.• Tucson coach Don Frye, whose “Dear Don” column quickly became the most talked-about section of the IFL.tv Website, brings his outgoing personality and irreverent advice to broadcast TV. The episode also looks at the shaping of his Scorpions team, particularly his developing respect for and friendship with light heavyweight standout Mike Whitehead (Central Point, Ore.).• Scorpions lightweight Ed West (Tucson, Ariz.) talks about his “brief” career as a male stripper, before turning to mixed martial arts full-time.• Scorpions heavyweight Chad Griggs (Tucson, Ariz.), who serves as a fireman/Emergency Medical Technician by day (and sometimes, by night) talks about his dual careers fighting fires and other mixed martial artists.• Sabres lightweight Savant Young (Pasadena, Calif.) brings viewers to the South Central Los Angeles neighborhood which forged his tough exterior, and lets them learn more about the warm-hearted family guy who loves fixing old cars and fights for a living.
Viewers can find their local MyNetworkTV affiliate at www.mynetworktv.com/local_stations.html.
Each of the 12 IFL teams for 2007 will compete in three regular season events; the teams with the top four overall win-loss team records will advance to the semi-finals, which will be held on Thursday, August 2, at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. The 2007 IFL Finals will then be held at The Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 15.
About the IFL
International Fight League™ (IFL) is the world’s first professional mixed martial arts sports league. IFL has its headquarters in New York, NY and offices in Las Vegas, NV. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.