PAST IBL 2008 NEWS
FRIDAY,
December 5th, 2008, AT 4:00 PM/PST
UPDATES FOR 2009 IBL SEASON.... MORE TO FOLLOW.
CHANGE/UPDATE -1-
The
number of proven Amateur MMA bouts will determine what IBL
LEAGUE each Team will be in. Fighters who begin the IBL
Season with 3 Fights or less are eligible for the "B LEAGUE".
Fighters with "MORE THAN" 3 Fights are eligible for the "A
LEAGUE". If desired, an A LEAGUE Team may have fighters on it with less
than 3 fights, but the coach must understand that this fighter may be matched up
against a fighter with far more than 3 fights. Teams may purchase Team Ownership
in 2 either the A or B Leagues or purchase a Team in BOTH Leagues.
- A LEAGUE
Fighters with "MORE THAN" 3 Fights.- If desired, an A LEAGUE Team may have fighters on it with less than 3 fights, but the coach must understand that this fighter may be matched up against a fighter with far more than 3 fights.
Ownership cost: $1,000.00- AWARDS
- Each "WINNER" of each bout during the 2009 IBL Championship Event will receive a Custom IBL Championship Belt valued at $1,500.00 each.
- Each Member of the 2009 IBL Champion Team will receive a custom IBL Championship Ring.
- Each Member of the 2009 IBL Champion Team will receive an IBL Championship Plaque with their Team Name, Their name and the names of their team members on it.
- Each Member of the second place 2009 IBL Championship event will receive an IBL Plaque with their Team Name, Their name and the names of their team members on it.
- B LEAGUE
Fighters who begin the IBL Season with 3 Fights or less.
Ownership cost: $500.00- AWARDS
- Each "WINNER" of each bout during the 2009 IBL Championship Event will receive a Top of the line Championship Belt valued at $250.00 Each.
- Each Member of the 2009 IBL Champion Team will receive an IBL Championship Plaque with their Team Name, Their name and the names of their team members on it.
- AWARDS
CHANGE/UPDATE -2-
- Each IBL Team for the 2009 IBL season is required to have a minimum of 5 Amateur fighters. The actual weightclasses to be fought in will be determined during matchmaking.
CHANGE/UPDATE -3-
- The IBL will have a slot for 1 woman's bout per IBL Event for the 2009 IBL Season. Each Team will be required to feature 1 Women's bout per event and the weightclass for the woman's bout will be determined during matchmaking.
CHANGE/UPDATE -4-
- The IBL is proud to be sponsored by
Combat
Sports International - www.combatsports.com -
CSI
will supply free of charge to each IBL
Team Owner/Promoter, CSI Amateur MMA Fight Gloves. Also, Every IBL Team receives a discount for their Team Uniforms
created by CSI.
The cost for each Fighters Trunks and Team warm-up Shirt is only $20.00.
MORE TO FOLLOW...
MONDAY,
October 27th, 2008, AT 7:00 PM/PST
IBL
Soon To Announce Big Changes
For 2009 Spring Season!
"The first year for the IBL was indeed a learning year which will greatly help the future of the league dramatically." Said IBL Commissioner Steve Fossum. "What some may see as setbacks and failures, we see as great lessons for the future that will only make the league stronger in the future."
The future is something the IBL surly has on its side right now. Sadly, this was not the case for the first ever Team Fight league, the IFL (International Fight League, www.IFL.tv) Due to the fact that it was a publicly traded company, the IFL had to have it's books open to the public which saw many looking at it as a losing company due to the much needed start-up costs. Public opinion wanted to see overnight success instead of a slow build. In the end, that "We want it now" attitude along with a few other not so good decisions brought the IFL to it's knees. However, instead of going out gracefully, those in charge in the end choose to "Make-up" stories about those who were there in the beginning, blaming them for the failure. Ending CEO Jay Larkin and his staff implemented changes that could have helped but also took away some of the best parts that made the IFL what it was. In the end, Larkin's proposed changes were too little, too late and all that was left of the Dream of founders Kurt Otto and Gareb Shamus was a website... www.IFL.tv
Seeing the
IFL
go down slowly and the way it happened has helped the IBL
remain focused and not lose site of its goals. The IBL
has the pleasure of being able to learn first, succeed second, a formula that
happened for the UFC
(Ultimate Fighting Championship - www.UFC.com) For years the
UFC
lost millions of dollars until landing a major TV Deal with Spike TV
only a few short years ago. The deal was a blessing for EVERYONE in MMA
so love them or hate them, Everyone in the MMA industry owes the
UFC a
lot for that deal!
From the looks of what everyone in the IBL learned during the opening year, and what they plan to change for year two, it's clear the IBL will be around for a long time.
It looks like later this week the IBL will be announcing some major changes to the new Amateur fight league. Among them will be the introduction of a "Split Team" League for the season where Teams will have choices between owning a Team with more Experienced fighters of more than 3 fights or a Novice Team with fighters with 3 fights or less.
Some of the other changes include a mixed weightclass roster and less number of fighters per team. The IBL is also considering a Woman's slot for each event as well.
The 2008 IBL season started strong with 12 Teams but faced many setbacks when Teams could not fill their roster with enough fighters or find enough fighter's with enough experience to compete competitively with some of the other Teams' Rosters. Some of the other issues that hurt the 2008 Season was event scheduling. When it was all said and done, the KC CAGE MONSTER'S of Overland Park, Kansas became the quiet but first IBL Champions.
With the new changes the 2009 IBL Teams will have an easier time finding talent and making matches at each of the League Events. Probably the best news of all will be the reduction of Team Fees for the 2009 Season. From what we have been told, the fees will drop from $1,500 per Team to somewhere around $500 for an IBL Novice Team and $800-$1,000 for an IBL Open Team.
The 2009 IBL Season will begin in February and the schedule and Teams should be announced sometime in December, 2008. If you are interested in an IBL Team for the 2009 Season, please contact the IBL directly. For their contacts page, click HERE.
Due to the IBL schedule, the ISCF MMA World Classic Amateur MMA Championships will be moved to the Fall of 2009.
TUESDAY,
October 7th, 2008, AT 8:00 PM,
PT
|
|
|
Results From
"IBL BATTLE - CENTRAL BATTLE 2"
October 4th, 2008 - Clinton, Missouri, USA
- WHO: IBL & Chiles
Martial Arts
- WHERE: Chiles Martial Arts, Clinton, Missouri, USA
- WHAT: ISCF Amateur MMA
- IBL: Clinton HIT SQUAD VS KC CAGE MONSTER'S
- ISCF Representatives: Chuck Wolfe
- ISCF Referee: Mitch Harris
- ISCF Judges: Paul Kolenda, Brad Jones & Russ Novell
- Event Medical Doctor: Bruce Bellamy MD
- ISCF PROMOTER: Mr. Jeb Chiles at (660) 885-8852 or by e-mail at jebchiles@gmail.com
Results submitted by ISCF World Representative: Chuck Wolfe.
Kansas City Cage
Monsters
Win IBL
Central With 4-3 Victory Over
The Clinton Hit
Squad
Kansas City Cage Monsters
win by a very close team score 4-3 to take the Central Title away from the Clinton Hit Squad. This outstanding night in
Clinton, Missouri went down to the wire with excitement and suspense. This team
fight was all tied up after 6 bouts 3-3 going into the final match between
Heavyweights Brandon Jolly of Clinton, Missouri and CJ Gooden of
Kansas City, Missouri. After what appeared to be one round for each fighter. The
third and final round was close to the end, when Referee
Mitch Harris put a stop to this with just 13 seconds left to give CJ
Gooden and the Cage Monsters
the win.
Here are the nights full
results:
- IBL
FIGHT CARD
- IBL
AMATEUR BANTAMWEIGHTS MMA 135 LBS
TBA (Hit Squad) VS Mark Sears (Cage
Monsters)
WINNER: Mark Sears by Forfeit
Mark Sears 30 points. - IBL
AMATEUR FEATHERWEIGHTS MMA 145 LBS
Kyle Supernaw (Hit Squad) VS Rick Huff (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: Kyle Supernaw by Unanimous Decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
Kyle Supernaw 10 Points. - IBL
AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155 LBS
Mike Goodman (Hit Squad) VS TBA (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: Mike Goodman by Forfeit
Mike Goodman 30 Points. - IBL
AMATEUR WELTERWEIGHTS MMA 170 LBS
Brandon Lubke (Hit Squad) VS Daniel Grayson (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: Brandon Lubke by Tap Out (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:09 of Round 2.
Brandon Lubke 20 Points. - IBL
AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHTS MMA 185 LBS
Roosevelt Lyons (Hit Squad) VS Richard Bouphanouvong (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: Richard Bouphanouvong ( by Tap Out (Strikes) at 2:59 of Round 1.
Richard Bouphanouvong: 30 Points. - IBL
AMATEUR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS MMA 205 LBS
**Jason Ammerman (Hit Squad) VS Chris Koch (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: Chris Koch by Tap Out (Strikes) at 2:33 of Round 2.
Chris Koch 20 Points. - IBL
AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHTS MMA 265 LBS
CJ Gooden (Hit Squad) VS Brandon Jolly (Cage Monsters)
WINNER: CJ Gooden by TKO Referee Stops Contest (Strikes) at 2:47 of Round 3.
CJ Gooden 10 Points.
Brandon Jolly - Medical Suspension 30 days due to Referee Stoppage from Strikes
- IBL
AMATEUR BANTAMWEIGHTS MMA 135 LBS
- UNDERCARD BOUTS
- GRAPPLING ONLY
*Brenda Kuykendall VS *Jina Claire
WINNER: Jina Cole by Tap Out (Arm Bar) at 2:56 of Round 1. - AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155 LBS
Travis Hunt VS *Jeremy Kennedy
WINNER: Travis Hunt by Tap Out (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:11 of Round 2. - AMATEUR FEATHERWEIGHTS WOMEN'S MMA 145
LBS
Heather Boan VS Alecia Morelan
WINNER: Heather Boan by Tap Out (Guillotine Choke) at :37 of Round 1. - AMATEUR FEATHERWEIGHTS MMA 185 LBS
Mike Stuart VS Josh Moran
WINNER: Mike Stuart by Tap Out (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:39 of Round 1.
- GRAPPLING ONLY
THURSDAY,
September 25th, 2008, AT 5:10 PM,
PT
|
|
|
Results From The
"IBL
BATTLES"
September 18th, 2008 - Grain Valley, Missouri,
USA
- WHERE: Whiskey Tango, Grain
Valley, Missouri, USA
- WHAT: ISCF - IBL Amateur MMA Clinton Hit Squad VS KC Cage Monsters
- IBL EVENT DIRECTOR: Steve Crawford
- ISCF Representatives: Chuck Wolfe
- ISCF Referee: Dominic Brown
- ISCF Judges: Bud Johnson, Brad Jones & TBA
- Event Medical Doctor: Dr. Rance McClain
- ISCF PROMOTER: Mr. Phil Jones at (816) 651-5087 or by e-mail at phil@truefightfan.com
- ON THE WEB: www.IBLFights.com
Results by Chuck Wolfe ISCF World Representative:
IBL Team Results
KC CAGE MONSTER'S 5
Clinton
HIT SQUAD 2
- Clinton
HIT SQUAD
VS KC CAGE
MONSTER'S
- BANTAMWEIGHT 135
Mike Stewart VS Mark Sears
WINNER: Mark Sears by Tap Out (Strikes) at :22 of Round 1
Mark Sears: 30 Individual Points. - FEATHERWEIGHT 145
John McDaniels VS Rick Huff
WINNER: Rick Huff by Tap Out (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:53 of Round 1
Rick Huff: 30 Individual Points. - LIGHTWEIGHT 155
Mike Goodman VS Zach Eck
WINNER: Mike Goodman by TKO as Referee Stops Contest (Strikes) at 1:08 of Round 1.
Mike Goodman: 30 Individual Points.
Zach Eck - Medical Suspension 30 days due to Referee Stoppage from Strikes. - WELTERWEIGHT 170
Brandon Lubke VS Daniel Grayson
WINNER: Brandon Lubke by Tap Out (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:17 of Round 3
Brandon Lubke: 10 Individual Points. - MIDDLEWEIGHT 185
TBA VS Richard Bouphanouvong
WINNER: Richard Bouphanouvong by Forfiet.
Richard Bouphanouvong: 30 Individual Points. - LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT 205
TBA VS Chris Koch
WINNER: Chris Koch by Forfiet.
Chris Koch: 30 Individual Points. - HEAVYWEIGHT 265
Chance Barnhart VS Gary Tapusoa
WINNER: Gary Tapusoa by TKO as Referee Stops Contest (Strikes) at 1:05 of Round 2
Gary Tapusoa: 20 Individual Points.
Chance Barnhart - Medical Suspension 30 days due to Referee Stoppage from Strikes.
- BANTAMWEIGHT 135
- NIGHTS UNDERCARD BOUTS
- LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155
Brandon McMann VS Jay McClintock
WINNER: Jay McClintock by Unanimous Decision 30-27 all Cards. - WELTERWEIGHTS MMA 170
BJ Combs VS Tyler Pansing
WINNER: Tyler Pansing by Tap Out Body Triangle at 2:08 of Round 1. - LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155
Joe Perry VS Mike Richardson
WINNER: Joe Perry by KO as Referee Stops Contest - Strikes - at 1:04 of Round 2.
Mike Richardson - Medical Suspension 45 days due to Referee Stoppage from Strikes. - LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155
Terry Hilliaker VS Robert Russell
WINNER: Robert Russell by TKO as Referee Stops Contest (Strikes) at 3:18 of Round 1.
Terry Hilliaker - Medical Suspension 30 days due to Referee Stoppage from Strikes. - HEAVYWEIGHTS MMA 265
Brandon Jolly VS Tom Thurber
WINNER: Tom Thurber by Tap Out (Strikes) at 1:11 of Round 2.
- LIGHTWEIGHTS MMA 155
TUESDAY,
September 16th, 2008, AT 2:25 PM/ PT
|
September
18th, 2008 |
||
|
|
||
|
NIGHTS UNDERCARD BOUTS For more info, Contact Mr. Phil Jones at (816) 651-5087 or by e-mail at phil@truefightfan.com | ||
THURSDAY,
September 11th, 2008, AT 8:00 PM/ PT
IBL Kansas City Rained OUT!
what was hoped to be the beginning of the IBL ended in a wet night. IBL Promoter John Scredich made a risky decision and planned the opener as an outdoor event. However, a freak Midwest rainstorm came through the area and forced ISCF and IBL Officials to cancel the event for the safety of the fighters. "The cage had a vinyl canvas and even the least amount of moisture would have made the cage surface too slick to fight on." Said IBL Vice President of Operations Steve Crawford.
Plans were immediately announced to move the event to this weekend, but after discussions with the teams involved, all agreed to simply move their schedules around and reschedule the first Central Division event. That schedule adjustment will be announced soon here on the news page.
In the mean time, IBL East Coast Director Lionell Royer is getting things squared away for the first IBL Eastern Division event which will take place on September 26th at the Best Western / Lee Jackson, 711 Millwood Avenue, Winchester, Virginia. For more info on this IBL League event go to www.vflmma.com
MORE
IBL NEWS...
BALTIMORE RENEGADES
POST
FIRST PORTION
OF 2008 ROSTER!
IBL Baltimore Renegades Owner John Shaddock has turned in his initial roster for the 2008 IBL Season. Currently he still has 2 weightclasses of the 7 to fill. He still needs a Bantamweight (135) and a Heavyweight (205-265).
Shaddock recently held a very successful Team Tryouts back on August 25 - 27th and September 3rd at The Gaijin Ryu Dojo in Sykesville, MD. His team is part of the IBL Eastern Conference along with the BUSTED KNUCKLES out of Winchester Virginia and FIGHTING CHANCE out of Tazwell Virginia.
If there any fighters or coaches who feel they have fighters to fill these openings, please contact Mr. Shaddock at (443) 280-0812 or by e-mail at shaddockmma@comcast.net
FRIDAY,
September 5th, 2008, AT 6:00 PM/ PT
|
|
|
RAGE OF KC Presents
"IBL "BATTLE""
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- WHEN: Saturday, September 6th, 2008
- WHO: RAGE OF KC
- WHERE: Backstage At The Show, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- WHAT: ISCF Amateur MMA
- IBL LEAGUE EVENT: Springfield REGULATORS VS Clinton HIT SQUAD
- ISCF Representatives: Troye Blackmon
- IBL Event Supervisor: Steve Crawford, IBL Vice President of Operations
- ISCF Referees: Dominic Brown, Brad Jones
- ISCF Judges: Chuck Wolfe, Brad Jones, Jeremy Morgan
- Ringside Doctor: Dr. Rance McClain
- ISCF PROMOTER: Mr. John Scredich At: (816) 728-1293
This Saturday
Night! September 6th, 2008, The RAGE OF KC Presents
|
IBL |
||
|
|
||
|
|
_________________________
- IBL - International BATTLE
League MAIN EVENT
Regulators VS Hit Squad
FIGHTERS ARE LISTED IN TEAM CORNER COLORS - ALL ARE ISCF APPROVED
- AMATEUR MMA BANTAMWEIGHT, 135
Josh Phillips VS David Williams - AMATEUR MMA FEATHERWEIGHT, 145
Charlie Dubray VS John McDaniel - AMATEUR MMA LIGHTWEIGHT, 155
Paul Markey VS Mike Goodman - AMATEUR MMA WELTERWEIGHT, 170
Donovan Winters VS Clay Shaft - AMATEUR MMA MIDDLEWEIGHT, 185
Jeremy Small VS Roosevelt Lyons - AMATEUR MMA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT, 205
BJ Drew VS Phil Morgan - AMATEUR MMA HEAVYWEIGHT, 265
Bill Dieckhoff VS Dwayne Jones
- AMATEUR MMA BANTAMWEIGHT, 135
ALSO SEE
SPECIAL "CHALLENGE MATCHES" FOR
FIGHTERS TRYING TO MAKE THE SQUAD OF
Overland
Parks
KC CAGE MONSTER'S
- *UNDERCARD*
- Auwstin Green VS Matt Cornwell
- Robert Hawkins VS Mike Richardson
- Randy Stark VS Tyler Slapnicka
- Todd Bell VS TBA
- Jacob Collins VS Shawn Beckwith
- Chance Barnhart VS Matt Cox
FOR MORE INFO GO TO
www.IBLFights.com
Or Contact Mr. John Scredich At: (816) 728-1293
THURSDAY,
August 21st, 2008, AT 8:15 PM/ PT
BALTIMORE RENEGADES
To Host
OPEN TRYOUTS!
- WHO: Baltimore Renegades
- WHAT: OPEN Tryouts.
- WHERE: The Gaijin Ryu Dojo, 6354 South Carroll Park Drive, Sykesville, MD 21784.
- WHEN: August 25 - 27th and September 3rd, 7:30PM
- CONTACT: (443) 280-0812
Those looking to land a spot on the
Baltimore
Renegades need to show if you want a spot on the team by
hard work, determination and of course, if you can BATTLE!
You will be graded on grappling, striking and fitness.
Bring Your A Game!
MORE
IBL NEWS!
FIRST IBL SEASON EVENT CONFIRMED!
|
September 6th, 2008 |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
| ||
IBL EVENT
DIRECTOR: Steve Crawford
ISCF
Event Representative:
Troye Blackmon -
ISCF Event
Referee: Dominic Brown, Brad Jones
ISCF
CERTIFIED
Judges For This event Are:
Chuck Wolfe, Brad Jones, Jeremy Morgan
Event
Medical Doctor:
Dr. Rance McLane
Event
Confirmed
FRIDAY,
August 15th, 2008, AT 10:30 PM/ PT
2008
IBL SEASON TAKING SHAPE!
MONDAY,
July 28th, 2008, AT 6:30 AM,
PT
IBL
Will Have A
FALL SEASON!
With the approval of all the current IBL Teams,
the IBL has postponed the start of the
league until this fall, 2008. In early August the IBL
Teams and several top IBL League officials
will be meeting in Kansas City, Kansas at one of the Leagues' sponsor
headquarters, Combat
Sports International to appoint top IBL
League Leaders as the IBL League prepares
for the initial kick off of the actual IBL
Season.
Placing the IBL Season in the Fall will work much better since it will not conflict with busy spring schedules of the Teams regular promotions. In addition, the Fall time schedule will help the League office more in regards to the much needed focus of the IBL League. This is because the IBL Head Office is also located within the offices of International Fight Sports (IFS, www.IFightSports.com ), the parent company of the IBL as well as the ISCF MMA - IKF Kickboxing and several other Fight Sport Companies.
The IFS and IKF Kickboxing just completed their 10th successful year of the IKF Kickboxing World Classic Tournament in Orlando, Florida with 227 Fighters competing from around the world. Now the IFS has the time, manpower and resources to re-focus back on the work needed for the IBL.
Over the last couple of months the IBL has confirmed that former IFL Vice President of Operations Keith Evans will be on board as a consultant to the IBL League. Evans' roll may expand more as the IBL League moves forward but no confirmation of this has been made as of yet.
IBL East Coast Director Lionell Royer has also confirmed he will be doing an IBL "Pre Season" event towards the end of summer to get his team and other East Coast IBL Teams back into the excitement of the IBL League. Excitement which may have been dulled a little by the rescheduling of the start of the season. In the mean time, it's "Forward March" for all of us associated with the IBL and before we know it, it will be time to...
THURSDAY,
July 10th, 2008, AT 11:30 PM,
PT
Maryland's Mixed Martial
Arts Team
By Jordan Bartel | July 9, 2008 at
10:00
No one flinches.
Sharp jabs, landing inches from fighters' faces, are fired in rapid succession. Pop. Pop. Pop. There are body pivots and more jabs followed by drops of sweat. For 30 seconds at a time for 30 minutes, fighters switch between being on the offensive and defensive. The jabs are unrelenting, fast, unnerving. Yet no one flinches.
John "Bones" Shaddock stands in the middle of two pairs of fighters exchanging blows. As he barks orders — "Hit there!" "Hands up!" — Shaddock watches every move. "Come on!" he yells. "It's like you're 100 feet apart." This is a drill; the punches aren't supposed to connect. Yet gloves graze ears and noses and heads. At the end of the exercises, the fighters stare at each other, ease their gloves down and smile. "Now switch! Keep it up."
These are the Baltimore Renegades, and they're treading new ground in Maryland as the first organized, competitive mixed martial arts team in the state. The team is based at Gaijin Ryu Dojo in Sykesville. Founded by Shaddock and partner Lee Epperson, the school teaches a form of jiu-jitsu that blends Brazilian and Japanese techniques.
MMA combines boxing, wrestling, muy thai and jiu-jitsu. The U.S.-based Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit has made household names of fierce fighters, such as Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, and brings in big pay-per-view ratings. It has also become increasingly mainstream, launching reality shows ("The Ultimate Fighter"). UFC competitor EliteXC is now featured on CBS' "Saturday Night Fights."
The Baltimore Renegades, are part of the International Battle League , or IBL, the only Maryland team on its roster. They still can't compete in the state. In May, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a bill legalizing MMA matches in Maryland — joining 32 other states — and bouts can start in 2009. Until then, the team is looking to fight in Virginia, D.C. or Delaware, perhaps as early as this month.
The team has filled slots for all 12 team members — two fighters, including one alternate, make up six weight classes. Team members have to be 18 years old. Shaddock, 40, is one of the alternates. He started wrestling at 3 years old and by high school was an award-winning boxer. He's also been a runner-up in a Golden Gloves tournament and a Toughman semi-finalist. His nickname, "Bones," is a bit deceiving. It's not that he breaks them — when he started fighting competitively he was skinny.
"I'm learning about the sport, too, as we go along," he says. "There's just so much to it. But what it really takes is dedication, smarts. And none of my guys are quitters."
Teammate Seth Greenberg certainly isn't a quitter, despite sitting out of a recent practice with a shoulder injury. He also broke his nose at try-outs. The 20-year-old has always been interested in cage fighting. "There's never been a place close to home to do it," says Greenberg, who lives in Reisterstown and works at a convenience store. "Some of my friends think [MMA] is cool. Others are like, 'And I thought I did some crazy stuff.'" But there's a science to this sport, called human cockfighting by some. Every hand placement, the position of every jab, matters in takedowns, knockouts or submissions.
"It's like a chess game," says Renegades team member Zach "White Knight" Keim, 23. "Every move has a purpose."
Shaddock has enlisted his brother Scott to help with wrestling techniques. The practice is evenly divided between working on takedowns and sparring exercises, and all this after an hour of boxing practice. By 7:30 p.m., the end of the boxing portion, the fighters are often out of breath, their shirts soaked with sweat. Shaddock's sister-in-law and her kids stop by as the guys glove up for sparring. His young niece, sporting a princess crown, runs alongside the mat to use the bathroom in the back. Then Shaddock gives a typical tough love pep talk. "A lot of guys are uncomfortable in striking position," he says. "You gotta get used to takin' hits."
The fighters love this stuff. Nick Wolcott, 17, won't be able to compete until he turns 18 in February. Raised on "Rambo" movies, he likes the combative essence of MMA. "It's fun. You can't be scared of getting hurt," says Wolcott, who lives in Woodbine. "It's like football — do you go out on the field squirming?" Keim nods in agreement as he takes out his mouth guard and places it behind his left ear. "It's just real — real as it's going to get to street fighting," he says. "It's almost like a primal thing."
Jordan Bartel is assistant editor at www.bthesite.com E-mail him at jordan@bthesite.com
THURSDAY,
June 5th, 2008, AT 11:55 PM,
PT
So-Cal Fighting Stallions
Are FIRST
To Post Team Roster
Eager as everyone else, Juan Bustamante and his So-Cal Fighting Stallions are the first IBL Team to submit their full starting line-up with one alternate. As we have said, each Team only has to field a starting line-up and the Teams Alternates are optional. To see the So-Cal Fighting Stallions Team Page, Click HERE!
SEASON START: The other Teams are either finalizing their Rosters or scheduling tryouts for Team members. All the IBL Teams have made the decision to begin the first IBL season around the first part of July instead on during June.
Several things have been credited to the delayed start of the season. The main issue is the IBL has no desire to RUSH into the first Season, as successful as the League has been so far. One of those surprises was the addition of the Western Conference which will now Give the first IBL's Season FOUR Conferences with "16" Teams!
The other issue is the behind the scenes work the IBL Staff is doing in creating a new marketing package for all the IBL Teams with the addition of the newly formed Western Conference. also holding things up is the groundwork the IBL staff is doing for the eventual IBL Pro Teams. The current IBL Amateur Teams/League will be a direct feeder League to the IBL Pro League which makes the IBL the first ever MMA League to even suggest such an idea, let alone do it.
With all this going on, another idea came into play where there may now also be a slight change in the Final Championship event. There is now a possibility of making it two separate events rather than just one event where the first two winning Teams Battle it out for the Championship that same night.
Splitting the "Final Four" and the actual "IBLChampionship Event" into two events will give the final two teams a 30 day rest before the "IBLChampionship Event." It will also be a better production for potential TV for the league as well. A Championship event could be tied in with other prelim bouts before the Championship Bouts. More on this soon...However for now,
WEDNESDAY,
May 28th, 2008, AT 12:15 PM,
PT
IBL To Have A
WESTERN
CONFERENCE
After All!
Last week we announced the interest from a potential California IBL Team. Well, things have been moving fast since that post was made last week and the reality is, "There WILL be an IBL Western Conference!"
Today the IBL spoke to Erwin Swetnam in Idaho who has committed to an IBL Team out of Idaho.
"Thanks again for the opportunity to let TEAM IDAHO ELITE compete in the IBL. We are excited and looking forward to the challenge. Battle On!" Said Swetnam.
The "Idaho Elite" will be based out of Boise Idaho but will feature fighters from throughout the State and possibly outside the state. It is planned now that "Idaho Elite" will now align with the "So-Cal Fighting Stallions" as well as possibly Jason Carley's "Laramie Landminds" out of Laramie, Wyoming. Although it may seem like a long drive for Carley's Team to Southern California, the reality is, Amateur MMA is still not legal in California so at least 3 of the 4 Western Conference events will be held in Idaho and Wyoming. If a Nevada, Arizona or New Mexico IBL Team fills the 4th slot for the Western Conference, the 4th season event could be held in one of those other states.
Swetnam is associated with the ISCF Sanctioned Promotion, "Ultimate Northwest Fighting Championship" (UNFC) who will be hosting another ISCF Sanctioned event at the Eldon Evans Expo Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA this coming June 7th. The UNFC is operated by Jeremy Burtch, Nate Petit and Ray Peralez. who may also have interest in the new "Idaho Elite" IBL Team.
Although the "Laramie Landminds" and the "Idaho Elite" will have their own home venues, the So-Cal Fighting Stallions will still need help with their home venue due to the fact that Amateur MMA is not legal in California. As previously mentioned, the So-Cal Fighting Stallions are willing to pack up and travel to meet up in the ring with whomever their competition is. The good side for them is now they may not need to travel all the way to Missouri for their events.
Now the IBL will be adding two different teams to the Central Conference. Already IBL Director of Operations Steve Crawford has some Teams ready to add to the Central Conference so the change will not be a big issue since the season won't be starting until late June now.
FRIDAY,
May 23rd, 2008, AT 8:30 PM,
PT
IBL
PRO "TEAM" MMA?
TV?
|
|
As many here know, PASSION drives individuals to succeed. However, without that Passion towards something you are working on, the fire soon dies. So is the story with Jay Larkin's recent leadership role with the IFL, - International Fight League. Larkin was billed as the Knight on the big white horse who was going to ride the IFL to the top. Instead, he has been coasting down hill wondering "What's up?" Larkin has plenty of accomplishments to his name. Over 20 years at media giant Showtime with claims of rising to become one of the most powerful deal makers in sports and entertainment during his storied career. He created countless entertainment specials involving stars ranging from Dave Chappelle, Britney Spears, The Spice Girls and Jay-Z to legends like Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones among others for the network and pay per view. During that time Larkin also oversaw the channel's entrance into boxing, beginning in 1986 with Marvelous Marvin Hagler's middleweight title defense against John Mugabi, thus creating the powerhouse Showtime Championship Boxing. He negotiated the deals and was the executive producer of some of boxing's most legendary matchups of the last quarter century, including numerous Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez fights. Larkin also was one of the key negotiators for what was the biggest money fight in history, the 2002 heavyweight championship bout between Lennox Lewis and Tyson that happened because of a landmark deal between Showtime (Tyson's network) and rival HBO (Lewis' network). Just before leaving Showtime, Larkin put together Ricky Hatton vs. Kostya Tszyu and Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy, two career-changing events for both Hatton and Calzaghe. Just prior to joining the IFL, he completed negotiations for the upcoming blockbuster match of Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler for HBO and Sports Network. So what has he done for the IFL?
The ISCF's services were not needed this year since the IFL events were only in states where Boxing Commissions ran the show. However, this was not a negative to the ISCF. The ISCF had a very successful relationship with the IFL and made some great relationships with many in the IFL. Those relationships formed from the ISCF were transferred over to the founding of the IBL where it was made clear that the IBL was not another PRO FIGHT creation of competition vs the IFL. In fact, even without the PRO tie in, the IBL's stricture is VERY Different than the structure of the IFL. It's no secret that Larkin only saw the usual MMA $$ signs when he took over the IFL Helm as CEO. However, what the Boxing Fan Larkin did not have was PASSION for MMA and without Passion, you can't sell what you do. This was Larkin's main problem. Sure he saved the IFL tons of money by cutting tons of people out and changing the TEAM structure of the League. However, no matter what he did, he just wasn't an MMA fan. This lack of Passion for the sport showed more often than not to those he tried to sell the IFL to and without sponsors, TV or no TV, it's hard to make it in the "Big Leagues" where IFL Founder Kurt Otto and his crew took the IFL in just 1 year. Otto and his team PROVED what PASSION could do and in less than a year, Larkin has proved what lack of it can do also... As the founder of the IFL, Kurt Otto had passion! Otto DID Care about the teams, the fighters, the IBL and more so, MMA as a Sport! That Passion came from his background for the sport which has been life long. He began training in the martial arts at age seven, and continued throughout his high school and college years, competing in full contact Tae Kwon Do (he is a second degree blackbelt) and kickboxing, as well as being a highly competitive wrestler. That PASSION Otto showed is something Larkin has never shown, not even to the press when talking about the IFL. Without that much needed passion, Larkin has done little to sell the IFL as a mainstream MMA League. In fact, he has even made comments such as "Only UFC is making money in MMA, no one else." Well Mr. Larkin, tell that to those we work with, or those successful organizations such as Strikeforce, Elite XC, and many others pulling down million dollar event gates. MMA is still growing, and all Larkin had to do was "Believe in it as a Sport." MMA has not even come close to it's peak and the sport is STILL Exploding! When the IBL was first formed, Commissioner Steve Fossum (Right) and Director of Operations, Steve Crawford (Right) made clear that their loyalty to the IFL would keep them from creating a PRO Structured TEAM Fight League. Although we cannot talk about some of the inside scoop as of yet, what if we shared with you today some scoop that may open the doors WIDE OPEN for the IBL to add in a full PRO MMA Team League that it's Amateur league would feed directly in to? Well Fight Fans, lets just say. "Things are in the works!" Let us just say that those loyal ties with the IFL from those in the ISCF and IBL were never with Larkin... or his lack of Passion for MMA. Those loyal ties were to those the ISCF and IBL saw as Passionate Promoters of MMA. From Kurt Otto to the guy who set up their outstanding fight ring, Willie Faircloth, those loyal relationships were with those who "Made things happen!" Two people that come to mind the most are Keith Evans and Lisa Faircloth. Together these two laterally BUILT the "Working Structure" for the IFL's Event success. They did not have a play in the "Spending" part of the company, but in their jobs, they brought SUCCESS to the IFL. without them, those IFL events we saw would have been a disorganized mess! As Director of Events, Lisa Faircloth took the bull by the horns and simply put, "MADE THINGS HAPPEN!" Another individual who was a CLASS ACT, yet no surprise to anyone here is the IFL's Vice President of Fighter Operations, Bas Rutten. No matter where he was, what he was doing, Bas had time for ANYONE! To us, he was the TRUE Ambassador of MMA and is one of the most colorful and well-respected personalities in all of the MMA world. Bas competed professionally for over 20 years in various MMA disciplines, and was a three time champion in Pancrase (the Japanese precursor to what is now MMA) as well as holding the UFC heavyweight division title. His first role with the IFL was as head coach of the Los Angeles-based Anacondas. He then moved into the broadcast booth, co-hosting of the popular "IFL Battleground" program, while also serving as ambassador for the league and the sport in general. In addition to the broadcasting role, he was named Vice President, Fighter Operations in January 2008. Keith Evans was the IFL's Vice President of Operations. Their backgrounds did not start with the IFL. They were directly responsible for a lot of the growth and development of the UFC, Ultimate Fight Championship, before being offered a position at the IFL. Evans and Faircloth joined the IFL in January of 2006 from the UFC, where they spent several years helping orchestrate the re-branding and growth of the UFC. While there he handled a variety of duties, many of which he has had a hand in with the IFL as well such as logistical issues. He played a key day to day role in the success of over 30 live UFC events, overseeing information technology, website, merchandise, and sponsorships, as well as serving as business development liaison with UFC licensees. Simply put, Keith, like Lisa, "MADE THINGS HAPPEN!" So what is this all about? Well, lets just say that the IFL's loss may be the IBL's gain. What does that mean exactly? What did the IFL lose? Well sorry, but we can't shed a lot of light on it right now, but we will soon. We have given enough insight away for now and if you put it all together, you should be able to come to your own potential conclusion. With that being said, we have to get back to work, and we suggest you all do the same, so... |
|
OK... A Little More Info On
The Story Above
IFL CEO Jay Larkin has made one of his worst decisions since taking over the IFL. This week he let go Keith Evans, IFL VP of Operations, and Lisa Faircloth, Director of Events and to "Save Money" he closed down the IFL's Las Vegas office which handled the bulk of event operations and includes tasks like signing fighters and organizing live events. However, this cost cut may be to Larkin's own throat.
Both Evans and Faircloth are former Zuffa employees and were essential to the IFL putting on a strong event any time in the coming months. A VP of Operations isn't so easily replaced, especially an experienced veteran of the MMA wars like Evans. Faircloth held together much of the Vegas staff, and her departure is said to have other IFL Operations employees sending out resumes as fast as they can print them off.
This could be a sign that the IFL is considering drastically scaling back their live event operations in the near future. If that's the case, it makes you wonder what the IFL's plan is over the long term. It seems as if they may be counting on finding a buyer soon, and are content to wait it out without losing any more money on events in the meantime.
The questions now are, who is next? Bas Rutten?
Did
UFC Hurt The IFL?
Read for yourself how Dana White made it his mission to destroy them with threats to well known MMA stars like Pat Miletich, Ken Shamrock and Matt Hughes. Don't take our word for it, just click HERE.
RE: UFC Lawsuit against the IFL:
From Pat
Miletich's sworn statement that Miletich gave in the UFC-IFL court case,
according to the public records.
"Knowing Mr. White the way I do, I
can honestly say that Zuffa's intent is bringing this litigation has nothing to
do with protecting any confidential information. Rather, I believe this
litigation is about one thing and one thing only -- stamping out legitimate and,
indeed, healthy, competition."
