Salaverry Back In Action Against Brazil's Pamplona
New York, NY – The International Fight League announced today that former UFC and K-1 standout Ivan Salaverry will take on Brazilian fighter Eduardo Pamplona in a superfight at the organization's January 19th event in Oakland, California.
Salaverry (12-4), long known as one of MMA's 'nice guys', has defeated some of the top names at 185 lbs., including Joe “Diesel” Riggs and Andrei Semenov. In the Gracie student Pamplona (5-1), Salaverry faces a tough, though perhaps untested opponent who has torn through the Brazilian ranks as of late, going undefeated in his last five bouts.
The match promises to be an intriguing clash of styles, with Pamplona coming from a strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu background and Salaverry training out of Seattle's AMC Pankration, home to Pride star Josh Barnett. Many fight fans may remember Salaverry for his unorthodox methods, including a rare body lock that submitted Tony Fryklund at UFC 50.
Later, a decision loss to Nathan Marquadt saw Salaverry released from his UFC contract in what critics claimed was a rash decision, unfairly punishing him for a lackluster performance against the overly strategic Marquardt.
The bout adds to a fight card that also features Ken Shamrock's newly minted Nevada Lions squad taking on brother Frank Shamrock's San Jose Razorclaws in a much anticipated sibling rivalry showdown, as well as Maurice Smith's Seattle Tiger Sharks squaring off against Marco Ruas' brand new Condors team. The event takes place Friday, January 19th at Oakland's Oracle Arena, with tickets on sale now.
