IFL Champions Keep Belts at New Jersey Event

Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko retained his light heavyweight IFL belt. (MMAweekly.com Photo)

On Friday, April 4 in East Rutherford, N.J., three IFL champions kept their belts.

Light-heavyweight title holder Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko (21-3), featherweight champ Wagney Fabiano (10-1) and welterweight title holder Jay Hieron (15-4-1) were each victorious in defending their titles.

Facing Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu representative Jamal Patterson (4-2), "The Janitor" won by TKO with 30 seconds left in the second round. While Patterson controlled the first round with strikes and submission attempts, the tough Russian champion came back in a big way, taking his opponent to the ground in round two and pounding out a referee stoppage.

Fabiano needed just 37 seconds to KO opponent Shad Lierley (2-2) setting an IFL record in the process.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt wasn't the only champ to make quick work of his opponent, as Hieron disposed of his opponent, Mark Miller (8-3-0) in just over two minutes.

In other action, the bout between UFC veteran Carmelo Marrero (7-2-0) and Miletich Fighting Systems fighter Mike Ciesnolevicz (13-3-0) was ruled a no contest after the fight was stopped due to an unintentional headbutt.

Official Results for IFL: New Blood, New Battles
Friday, April 4 - East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Jamal Patterson by TKO at 3:35, R2
• Wagnney Fabiano def. Shad Lierley by KO at 0:37, R1
• Jay Hieron def. Mark Miller by TKO at 2:10, R1
• Alex Schoenauer def. Brendan Barrett by Split Decision, R3
• Chris Horodecki def. Nate Lamotte by Unanimous Decision, R3
• LC Davis def. Rafael Dias by KO at 3:56, R3
• Emyr Bussade def. Jesse Lennox by Kneebar at 1:25, R2
• Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Carmelo Marrero, No Contest
• Jim Miller def. Bart Palaszewski by Unanimous Decision, R3
• Brad Blackburn def. Delson Heleno by KO at 1:50, R3

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