Rothwell out of IFL's World...

ProElite.com has learned from a high-ranking source within the IFL that top-seeded heavyweight Ben Rothwell has been pulled from the promotion's upcoming World Grand Prix on Nov. 3 in Chicago Illinois at the Sears Center.

Mike Whitehead has also been pulled from the light heavyweight portion of the World Grand Prix.

The IFL made a decision to pull both Rothwell and Whitehead from their respective brackets after the promotion was unable to secure signed commitments from each fighter for the 2007 season. Rather than risk having one or both of the fighters winning a title only possibly to see them never defend it within the IFL, a decision was made to change directions.
The IFL's policy in this regard is similar to the UFC's of not allowing fighters with only one fight remaining on their contract to challenge for a title.

The IFL felt it had secured verbal commitments in regard to 2008 from Rothwell and Whitehead's camp. Both are managed by Monte Cox.
However, when the IFL tried to finalize the 2008 contracts for Rothwell and Whitehead they felt as though their management was being unresponsive. After a deadline passed, the team-oriented fight promotion was left with the feeling that the two might be considering offers from outside the organization.

It should be made clear that both Rothwell and Whitehead are still currently under contract to the IFL. The promotion has no intention of releasing either fighter from their respective contract early so if they are in fact considering other offers, they would not be able to fight for another promotion until 2008.

It should also be noted that the IFL still has strong interest in bringing both Rothwell and Whitehead back for next season.
There was also some concern that welterweight World Grand Prix qualifier Jay Hieron might be pulled as well. However, Hieron responded to the IFL at the eleventh hour and has formally signed a contract for 2008 and his involvement for the WGP has been secured.

Bryan Vetell has been named as Rothwell's replacement. He'll be fighting Antoine Jaoude in the heavyweight tournament semifinals on Nov. 3 while Roy Nelson will fight Reese Andy in the other semifinal bout.

The IFL has also decided to cut their field for the light heavyweight portion of the World Grand Prix from four to two. In addition to Whitehead being pulled, Andre Gusmao is out with what is believed to be a foot injury suffered against Mike Ciesnolevicz during the IFL Team Finals in September. Alternate Jamal Patterson is also unavailable due to scheduling issues so Vladimir Matyushenko will be fighting Alex Schoenauer on Nov. 3 in Chicago for the IFL light heavyweight title.

ProElite.com has also learned that the Schoenauer vs. Matyushenko title fight will be televised live on MyNetworkTV. Also scheduled to air is a lightweight World Grand Prix semifinal match between Chris Horodecki and Bart Palaszewski and a welterweight World Grand Prix semifinal match between Benji Radach and Brent Beauparlant. If those matches end early, there is a chance additional action will be shown but those are the three matches that the IFL is committed to airing.

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Sam Caplan

This is lame. An IFL heavyweight grand prix without Rothwell is just a tourney for 2nd place.

Roy Nelson is a LOAD!! I was impressed with how well he did against Big Ben,...I actually thought Roy did most of the damage in that fight!