Dragons primed for depleted Wolfpack

A few short months ago, FOXSports.com world No. 6 Matt Lindland's Portland Wolfpack looked like the heir apparent in the International Fight League.

Joining the league as an expansion team midway through 2006, many mixed martial arts fans expected the ‘Pack to put an end to the early dominance of Pat Miletich's Quad city Silverbacks.
But when that highly anticipated showdown took place at the IFL's World Team Championships on Dec. 29, the Wolfpack suffered an embarrassing 4-1 loss, with welterweight Chris Wilson (11-3) notching the lone victory.

Now it seems Lindland's squad is still recovering from the physical toll of that loss, as the team heads into its first match of 2007 with a roster decimated by injuries.

Wolfpack light heavyweight Aaron Stark (3-3), lightweight Ryan Schultz (14-9-1), and the welterweight Wilson are all off the card, forcing the team to rely on IFL rookies to get them back in the win column against Carlos Newton's Toronto Dragons on Friday night at Gwinett Arena in Atlanta at 7:30 PM Eastern.

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