Imes replaces Hinkle on IFL's May 16 card

NEW YORK, May 9, 2008 -- Mixed martial arts veteran Brad Imes (Sacramento, Calif.) will challenge Roy Nelson for the heavyweight championship as part of the nine-bout card as the International Fight League returns to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday, May 16. Imes replaces Branden Lee Hinkle,who was injured in training.

A training injury to Fabricio Camoes of Brazil also necessitated a change in a non-championship lightweight bout. Frank Latina will battle John Franchi. Jim Miller, originally slated to face Camoes, withdrew from the bout following the injury to Camoes.

Imes, known as "The Hillbilly Heartthrob," trains with Miletich Fighting Systems in Iowa. He has competed in several MMA organizations, and was a finalist in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series. Imes is 11-4 in his MMA career and will be making his IFL debut at the May 16 event, which will also mark the first IFL bouts for Latina (4-1 overall) and Franchi (3-0).

As previously announced, two other IFL Champions will defend their titles to headline the card: Middleweight champion Ryan McGivern will fight Dan Miller, and lightweight Ryan Schultz defends against Deividas Taurosevicius. All three championship bouts, as well as the three prelimiary matchups will be aired on HDNet.

Preliminary Bouts

155 lbs.: Frank Latina vs. John Franchi (Team Bombsquad)205 lbs.: Aaron Stark (Team Quest) vs. Lamont Lister (Team Bombsquad) 170 lbs.: John Howard vs. Nick Calandrino (Team Bombsquad)155 lbs.: Zac George (Team Quest) vs. Josh Souder (Team Prodigy) 185 lbs.: Matt Horwich (Team Quest) vs. Joey Guel 185 lbs.: Danillo Villefort (World Class Fight Center) vs. Mike Massenzio (Team Bombsquad)

Championship Bouts

185 lbs.: Ryan McGivern (Miletich Fighting Systems) vs. Dan Miller (AMA Fight Club)265 lbs.: Roy Nelson (Lion's Den) vs. Brad Imes (Miletich Fighting Systems) 155 lbs.: Ryan Schultz (Team Quest) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Renzo Gracie)