Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead Out of IFL Grand Prix

Two of the biggest stars in the International Fight League will be absent from the league’s end of season spectacular.

Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead will not participate in the International Fight League: 2007 World Grand Prix Semi Finals due to contractual problems, IFL officials confirmed.

Rothwell and Whitehead failed to sign contract extensions that would make them eligible to compete in the 2008 IFL season and the year-end Grand Prix tournament.

"I'm disappointed that they are not competing in the Grand Prix," IFL Commissioner Kurt Otto said. "We made them a solid offer and were told all was well, but it is a prerequisite that they sign to compete, as all the other athletes have.

“We wanted Ben and Mike to be in and hope that they return in 2008 with the contract we offered up. We need to build equity with the guys who will be here, so we had to make this change to be fair to our other athletes who are training."

The purpose of the Grand Prix is to crown an individual champion in each of the five weight classes. Participants were determined by their regular season records, and Rothwell was thought to be a heavy favourite to win the heavyweight title going into the tournament.

This will be the first event of its kind to air on live network TV, reaching millions of households and giving fighters an excellent platform to display their skills.

Otto also said the tournament bracket for the Grand Prix would have to be restructured in the wake of these two departures. Bryan Vetell will replace Rothwell at heavyweight and meet Antoine Jaoude. Roy Nelson will take on Reese Andy in the other heavyweight match up.

In light heavyweight, the loss of Whitehead and Andre Gusmao (who cannot compete due to a foot injury) means that Alex Schoenauer will meet Vladimir Matyushenko for the belt in Chicago.

Also, Mark Miller has withdrawn due to a hand injury and will be replaced by Brad Blackburn. Blackburn will meet Delson Heleno, while Jay Hieron faces Pat Healy.

The loss of Ben Rothwell will be a blow to the International Fight League. He has added to his reputation as a formidable fighter during his time with the Quad City Silverbacks. During his time with the IFL, he never lost a match. In what looks like it will have been his last IFL contest, Ben Rothwell defeated Ricco Rodriguez atInternational Fight League: 2007 Team Championship.

Having Rothwell on their roster gave the IFL a great deal of credibility. Although the Ultimate Fighting Championship is far and away the market leader in Mixed Martial Arts promotions, the Heavyweight division is one of it’s weaker weight classes. Despite the long running saga concerning his future, the world’s number one ranked big man Fedor Emelianenko has so far resisted all offers from the UFC.

Similarly, the highly regarded Josh "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Barnett has not been signed up by Dana White and recent arrivals from Pride such as Mirko Filipovic are yet to deliver. Being home to a highly touted Heavyweight like Ben Rothwell boosted the standing of the IFL in the opinion of many fans. His departure puts a question mark next to their ability to hang on to talented fighters.