Horodecki Expects to Cap 2007 with IFL Title
Scott Holmes Dec 26, 2007
It's been quite a year for Chris Horodecki (Pictures).
The International Fight League's top lightweight has been very busy in 2007, going undefeated in four fights. Heading into this week's Grand Prix event at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., the 20-year-old Canadian still maintains a squeaky clean record of 7-0 in the IFL and 11-0 overall.
Twice Horodecki bested Bart Palaszewski (Pictures) in bouts that could be considered
fights of the year for the IFL. An all-out war against Shad Lierley (Pictures) in June is in the discussion for
F.O.Y in any organization.
It was in that battle with Lierley that Horodecki injured his right hand, forcing him out of the Los Angeles Anacondas' lineup during the league's semifinals in August. While Horodecki has yet to find himself on the losing end of his fights, he took the team loss pretty hard.
While the "Polish Hammer" and his team nursed their wounds, they suffered another major blow when the IFL decided to part ways with Shawn Tompkins (Pictures), who took over as head coach in the middle of the season when Bas Rutten (Pictures), one of the premiere coaches in a league that is littered with MMA luminaries, stepped down.
Horodecki followed Tompkins, his longtime trainer and mentor, to Extreme Couture in Las Vegas, where he healed and resumed training at another world-class gym.
"Shawn's always been my coach and I'm just following him wherever he goes," Horodecki said. "He's opened a great door for us with Xtreme Couture and now we're in one of the best gyms in the world."
Much is made about Horodecki's baby-faced looks and age, but he credits his youthfulness for helping him recover quickly. After dispatching Palaszewski in early November he circled Dec. 29 on his calendar. His focus has been challenged, however, by a revolving door of opponents.
The first matchup made the most sense. Waggney Fabiano had marched his way right through all of his lightweight opponents and was poised to be the toughest style challenge to Horodecki to date. Instead of allowing Fabiano to take his turn at putting the confident striker on his back and challenge with submissions, the IFL chose to start a 145-pound division and promptly moved him down.
Replacing Fabiano was Lierley -- the IFL once again trying to rekindle the magic of a great first fight. However, when injury forced him out, John Gunderson (Pictures) stepped up. But again injury forced Horodecki's opponent to bow out of the fight.
"It was just to the point of, let's go, pick somebody" said Horodecki.
Now the young star of the IFL will face a gritty opponent in Team Quest's Ryan "The Lion" Schultz. Horodecki beat Shultz with strikes last year during the IFL semifinals, but recognizes as they get ready to fight for a second time things have changed.
Having rebounded from his 2006 losses, Shultz has won all three of his fights this year, most recently outclassing a tough opponent and good striker in Aaron Riley (Pictures).
"Ryan's tough," Horodecki said. "He's a Team Quest fighter, and they're all tough and they're all scrappy. They are going to come in shape and prepared, but I think [with] my skills and my technique, I'll come out on top that night for sure."
Fabiano and Lierley were two wildly different style matchups, but for Horodecki the most recent change wasn't too taxing. "My game plan hasn't really changed too much. The switches from Gunderson to Schultz aren't too much of a difference," he said.
Schultz has the benefit of being coached by Matt Lindland (Pictures), who has no doubt seen plenty of Horodecki during his time with the IFL. So far no one has been able to keep Horodecki from fighting at the pace and style that he chooses. Lindland may have a few ideas on how to thwart Horodecki, but it will be no easy task.
Horodecki also pointed out that while he's had to deal with last minute switches, his opponents are taking a very tough fight on short notice against a fighter who's focused on getting ready for this night.
Now Horodecki can just focus on the task at hand: winning a championship belt many feel belongs to him.
"We got a date. We got an opponent. So let's dance," said the kid.
For Horodecki it's a chance to end 2007 with an exclamation point, not only for lightweights in the IFL but for all 155-pound fighters. Then again, he's always made it clear that he's not in any kind of rush to get to the top. Unlike most fighters, he says he's "not racing the clock" to get in as many fights as he can before he peaks.
For now, the "Polish Hammer" seems content to keep standing toe-to-toe with any opponent the IFL puts before him.
On Saturday, in an HDNet-televised fight, Horodecki looks to put on his first IFL championship belt.
"I'm going to give the fans an exciting fight like I always try to do, and I do want that title so I'm going to come out on top."
The International Fight League's top lightweight has been very busy in 2007, going undefeated in four fights. Heading into this week's Grand Prix event at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., the 20-year-old Canadian still maintains a squeaky clean record of 7-0 in the IFL and 11-0 overall.
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It was in that battle with Lierley that Horodecki injured his right hand, forcing him out of the Los Angeles Anacondas' lineup during the league's semifinals in August. While Horodecki has yet to find himself on the losing end of his fights, he took the team loss pretty hard.
The Anacondas, like Horodecki, looked unstoppable this year until
injuries caught up with them. After watching his team lose to the
Quad Cities Silverbacks, Horodecki, knowing that his involvement
could have helped push his team into the finals, voiced his anguish
during the post-event press conference.
While the "Polish Hammer" and his team nursed their wounds, they suffered another major blow when the IFL decided to part ways with Shawn Tompkins (Pictures), who took over as head coach in the middle of the season when Bas Rutten (Pictures), one of the premiere coaches in a league that is littered with MMA luminaries, stepped down.
Horodecki followed Tompkins, his longtime trainer and mentor, to Extreme Couture in Las Vegas, where he healed and resumed training at another world-class gym.
"Shawn's always been my coach and I'm just following him wherever he goes," Horodecki said. "He's opened a great door for us with Xtreme Couture and now we're in one of the best gyms in the world."
Much is made about Horodecki's baby-faced looks and age, but he credits his youthfulness for helping him recover quickly. After dispatching Palaszewski in early November he circled Dec. 29 on his calendar. His focus has been challenged, however, by a revolving door of opponents.
The first matchup made the most sense. Waggney Fabiano had marched his way right through all of his lightweight opponents and was poised to be the toughest style challenge to Horodecki to date. Instead of allowing Fabiano to take his turn at putting the confident striker on his back and challenge with submissions, the IFL chose to start a 145-pound division and promptly moved him down.
Replacing Fabiano was Lierley -- the IFL once again trying to rekindle the magic of a great first fight. However, when injury forced him out, John Gunderson (Pictures) stepped up. But again injury forced Horodecki's opponent to bow out of the fight.
"It was just to the point of, let's go, pick somebody" said Horodecki.
Now the young star of the IFL will face a gritty opponent in Team Quest's Ryan "The Lion" Schultz. Horodecki beat Shultz with strikes last year during the IFL semifinals, but recognizes as they get ready to fight for a second time things have changed.
Having rebounded from his 2006 losses, Shultz has won all three of his fights this year, most recently outclassing a tough opponent and good striker in Aaron Riley (Pictures).
"Ryan's tough," Horodecki said. "He's a Team Quest fighter, and they're all tough and they're all scrappy. They are going to come in shape and prepared, but I think [with] my skills and my technique, I'll come out on top that night for sure."
Fabiano and Lierley were two wildly different style matchups, but for Horodecki the most recent change wasn't too taxing. "My game plan hasn't really changed too much. The switches from Gunderson to Schultz aren't too much of a difference," he said.
Schultz has the benefit of being coached by Matt Lindland (Pictures), who has no doubt seen plenty of Horodecki during his time with the IFL. So far no one has been able to keep Horodecki from fighting at the pace and style that he chooses. Lindland may have a few ideas on how to thwart Horodecki, but it will be no easy task.
Horodecki also pointed out that while he's had to deal with last minute switches, his opponents are taking a very tough fight on short notice against a fighter who's focused on getting ready for this night.
Now Horodecki can just focus on the task at hand: winning a championship belt many feel belongs to him.
"We got a date. We got an opponent. So let's dance," said the kid.
For Horodecki it's a chance to end 2007 with an exclamation point, not only for lightweights in the IFL but for all 155-pound fighters. Then again, he's always made it clear that he's not in any kind of rush to get to the top. Unlike most fighters, he says he's "not racing the clock" to get in as many fights as he can before he peaks.
For now, the "Polish Hammer" seems content to keep standing toe-to-toe with any opponent the IFL puts before him.
On Saturday, in an HDNet-televised fight, Horodecki looks to put on his first IFL championship belt.
"I'm going to give the fans an exciting fight like I always try to do, and I do want that title so I'm going to come out on top."
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