In the next 24 hours, after the 2007 IFL championships have concluded, the world will know if the Silverbacks are any good and if
Pat Miletich (Pictures) can coach.
OK, maybe we already know those answers.
Even though the defending league champions have nothing to prove, they are poised to do something fairly incredible. The Quad Cities Silverbacks have put themselves in position to make history Thursday, if they can beat
Renzo Gracie (Pictures)'s New York Pitbulls.
It's easy to lose in MMA. To continue to win, and win as a team, is a true feat worthy of admiration.
Miletich's squad has battled hard all year long, losing narrowly in only one team event, against the equally formidable Los Angeles Anacondas. Since then they've owned the league. Now, with most of their pieces back in place, the juggernauts from the Midwest are on the edge of another title.
The word that best describes the Silverbacks is "consistent." From top to bottom, this team always brings its best effort, starting with lightweight Bart "Bartimus" Palaszweski.
Palaszweski has been on a great run in the IFL. Other than his decision loss to
Chris Horodecki (Pictures) earlier this season, he's been unbeatable in the organization. He'll be facing the biggest wild card in the event on Thursday,
Deividas Taurosevicius (Pictures), a Lithuanian grappler that can also box a bit.
Palaszweski is also well-rounded. Given that this is the championship, though, and that these two both like to duke it out, this fight should be a standup war mixed with occasional takedowns from Taurosevicius.
While Gracie will bring in a few ringers, only one Silverback will be missing for the finals:
Rory Markham (Pictures) is out due to an injury. Despite the huge loss, his team seems to be comfortable with his replacement,
Jake Ellenberger (Pictures).
"I know what he's capable of, and he's a super-tough guy," light heavyweight
Mike Ciesnolevicz (Pictures) says of Ellenberger. "I think he's the best guy they could have got to replace Rory, but you know of course we want Rory in there first and foremost."
No matter whom the Silverbacks send in, the fighter will have his hands full with the Pitbulls'
Delson Heleno (Pictures).
Silverback middleweight
Ryan McGivern (Pictures) missed the semifinals to get hitched. Now that the honeymoon is over, literally, he's looking to exact some revenge against the Pitbulls' other Brazilian jiu-jitsu monster,
Fabio Leopoldo (Pictures).
McGivern seemed to be putting on a ground clinic in his first meeting against Leopoldo, but he got caught sleeping and the Brazilian kneebarred him. Marriage, McGivern says, has matured him immensely in the past few months. Perhaps the new focus will help him get revenge and edge the ‘Backs toward another ring.
Ciesnolevicz is also in a rematch. He's facing Pitbull alternate
Andre Gusmao (Pictures), who stopped him last September in the second round.
"The last time he really jumped me and caught me off guard," Ciesnolevicz says. "I wasn't expecting an explosive striker to come at me with that kind of pace and firepower."
Ciesnolevicz says this fight will be different.
"I'm not going to let him dictate the fight, and I'm not going to get caught going backwards," he says. "I anticipate it's going to be a war. It's going to be a real brawl. I know I'm going to take some shots and I know I'm going to take some punishment, but he is too. I've been to the third round a few times in my IFL career, and I seem to get better as the fight goes on."
It won't be easy. Gusmao is undefeated and looked like a beast at the weigh-ins. Ciesnolevicz didn't seem too concerned, however. On a card with close matchups, a win for Ciesnolevicz could also mean a win for the Silverbacks.
Last but not least we have the big boys. Silverback Ben "North Star" Rothwell and late-replacement Ricco "Sauve" Rodriguez will meet in an eyebrow-raising heavyweight fight.
Oddly enough, despite his flawless IFL record, Rothwell could really use this win. The reality is that he's been heads above the IFL competition, which makes it difficult to truly gauge his progress toward the realm of top heavyweights.
Rodriguez is getting back in the mix and looking as if he might be back to his old, dominant form. With his pedigree as a former UFC heavyweight champion, a win for Rothwell would make even IFL detractors take notice.
The question is, how will he do it? Rothwell hasn't been tested much on the ground, and Rodriguez will certainly challenge him if the fight hits the mat.
If Rothwell pulls off the victory, though, the Silverbacks will be one step closer to the title and the IFL house will be his.
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