
The International Fight League has undergone some surgery of its own in its attempt to be one of mixed martial arts’ top grossing leagues.
As the 2007 season concluded with an upset win coming from Ryan “The Lion” Schultz over previously unbeaten Chris Horodecki in the lightweight division as well as fierce competition in the other weight classes, the IFL is yet again changing its format. This year, it will abandon its spotlight on the team names such as; Silverbacks, Pitbulls and Anacondas and focus on the camps instead. So now if you want to track a fighter from the Quad City Silverbacks you will need to look for him under Miletich Fighting Systems.
The scoring will be the same this year. Keeping score in the IFL is similar to keeping score in a wrestling match. A team member might win his fight but his team loses as the score is best of five matches.
Eight fight nights are scheduled thus far with an option to add more venues throughout the season based on outside camp involvement. There will still be a World Grand Prix at the end of the season to determine individual champions as well as crowning a camp champion. The current champions are the fighters from the Renzo Gracie Academy or the New York Pitbulls.
This season will start of strong as the IFL returns to Las Vegas on Friday, Feb. 29 at the Orleans Arena. Fans will be on hand to witness the first IFL card to showcase three title fights on one card. The first being Team Quest’s, Ryan “The Lion” Schultz defending his lightweight belt against the Lion’s Den’s, John “Gunz” Gunderson. Fellow Team Quest member and middleweight champion Matt Horwich will taunt his belt over the hands of IFL newcomer Tim Kennedy.
Roy Nelson also will show why he is current heavyweight champion in front of his hometown crowd as he defends his belt against Team Quests, Fabiano Scherner. Check back with Hola America as we keep you updated on the results from Las Vegas as well as other events this season.