Let’s face it, the International Fight League is not your typical MMA organization. Mixed Martial Artists who are lucky enough to land in the IFL are rewarded with consistent salaries, health insurance, and regular weekly fight schedules across the country. Forget about unvarying one-on-one training or fighting as well. The IFL utilizes teams that are headed by MMA veterans like Renzo Gracie and Dan Severn and based out of major cities like Los Angeles, Tokyo, Japan and New York City. The shows are televised on MyNetworkTV and Fox Sports Net and include former light-heavyweight fighter Bas Rutten as a ringside color commentator. Welcome to the “fighter friendly” Mixed Martial Arts organization.
Commencing less than two years ago in January of 2006, the International Fight League was the brain child of two wealthy MMA fans, Kurt Otto and Gareb Shamus. Decidedly in favor of fighters who had insurance and a consistent paycheck, the IFL decided to act much differently than it’s bigger and brasher counterpart, the Dana White-led UFC. Let’s take a look at why MMA needs the IFL.
Health Insurance: It may not be widely known that fighters, namely those in longer stand-up matches or on the wrong end of a knockout or TKO, may be required to be cleared by a medical professional before their next professional fight. A full-time professional fighter trains hours each day which leaves little time to obtain benefits which are typical of a full time job. Some lucky fighters are able to insure their bodies through other means, but health insurance, as many of us know, is not cheap. So, unlike other organizations that may pay some fighters a little more in the individual fight purse, the IFL opts to include health insurance for each fighter in the organization. Now each fighter can receive necessary specialized treatment after each contest in the ring. Better medical care means healthier fighters and that ultimately leads to fewer replacement fighters and better fights.
Weekly Payouts: Big name veteran UFC fighters like ex-light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell or Tito Ortiz would scoff at the paychecks given to IFL fighters on a bi-weekly basis, but for every Liddell or Ortiz, there are a hundred underpaid fighters who are struggling to live with the money made from each fight purse. These fighters fare well in the IFL where bi-weekly paychecks combined with winning purses can propel a fighter into a six figure salary. Now combine that with affordable healthcare and you have MMA fighters who can afford to train full-time and fight full-time.
Team Format: Often criticized by MMA fans of the original fighter versus fighter format, team fighting offers many benefits for the IFL fighters and the weekly broadcasted schedule. Fighters, even as they travel across the country, have training partners who are just as dedicated and experienced in the ring. In an example of taking team training to the next level; the Los Angeles Anaconda’s not only trains as a team together, but lives together in an upscale and spacious home as well. The team can manage their health and weight on a daily basis while they prepare to fight.
Now once we compare the IFL to other fight organizations, namely the UFC which has recently shown just how little some fighters are paid per fight, it’s apparent that the IFL has the right idea in mind. They face one major obstacle, however, and if they continue to put on shows similar to one shown on their July 16th broadcast, the issue of making enough money to continue may no longer be a looming shadow ahead.
To see a great recent IFL fight between The Anaconda’s undefeated Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki against Shad Lierly, check out the IFL TV schedule on the IFL website.
Loading ...