DRAGONS LOSE PATRICK FOR IFL ATLANTA SEASON DEBUT

By Mike Russell

Claude Patrick, arguably one of the best fighters on Carlos Newton’s Toronto Dragons squad, will be replaced by Jim Abrille (2-1-1) when the Northern team makes its season debut in the International Fight League Feb. 23. Patrick sustained an MCL injury while training with the Guelph [Ontario] University wrestling team and will not be officially diagnosed until undergoing an MRI next month. However, Patrick commented the injury was not serious.

Desperate and faced with the task of replacing his top welterweight with less than two weeks remaining until the show, Dragon’s coach Newton selected Atlanta, Georgia native Abrille.

“We needed a replacement and were given some names to choose from. We were getting closer to the event and everything was still up in the air,” explained Newton. “Not having anyone to replace Claude, I wasn’t familiar with Jim but I said we’d take whoever we could get.”

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