IFL Changes while seeking a future

[BigBanda]

Source: IFL Changes While Seeking a Future

May 14, 2008
by Scott Holmes (sholmes@sherdog.com)

For the International Fight League, the problem has never been the product but rather the package in which it is sold.

In a conference call last week, the IFL announced plans to reveal a new fighting surface. Instead of a conventional ring, the promotion will soon start using a hexagon-shaped ring that has been dubbed, "The Hex."

Fresh off the Yamma pit debacle, fans and critics may initially balk at the idea, but the IFL brass seem convinced that it is the right move for an organization that is making bold changes to keep the ship afloat.

"It's more difficult to lock up your opponents in the corner, so you need more strategy," said Bas Rutten (Pictures), who also noted that the lack of angles inside the Octagon could be what has hampered several Pride fighters in their UFC debuts.

There are more reasons for the move.

"It gives us a much better view of the action, not only for television but for fans in attendance," said CEO Jay Larkin.

After moving from the team-based concept to a looser style of matchups, the IFL continues to make efforts to put out a better product for their fans. The new ring also gives the IFL another marketing tool in that the ring will be associated with the IFL brand. Casual fans seem to only equate MMA with a cage, and the IFL thinks the hexagonal ring could be one step closer to achieving that look without having to get chain link involved.

The six-sided ring will not be revealed at Friday's event at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. It will debut at the following IFL show in August in New Jersey.

Larkin explained the reasoning for such a hiatus by pointing to the need for fighters and coaches to be able to adjust their strategies for the ring. He also referenced a schedule for other promotions during the summer months of June and July and articulated a need for the IFL to do some "house cleaning" during that time.

The IFL staff has been trimmed down and will probably be trimmed some more in the coming months. Much has been said and speculated regarding the health or lack thereof of the publicly owned organization. Anyone with a modem can see the IFL's financial woes with a simple click of the mouse. Larkin didn't pull any punches. Without prompting he admitted that the IFL was looking for a buyer.

"Everything is for sale. Microsoft is for sale. Verizon is for sale. The fellow who has a little coffee wagon in front of our building is for sale," said Larkin, who turned into part pitchman while touting the strengths of the company, such as the infrastructure and their expansive foreign distribution.

Ironically, while the IFL may be up for sale, the buyer need not beware of the quality of the stables. In the midst of all these sweeping changes and bleak financial outlooks, the IFL has quietly and steadily nurtured a new class of MMA soon-to-be stars -- fighters like Jay Hieron (Pictures), Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures), Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) just to name a few. Not to mention, the cards are consistently solid, especially with the new camp-based format.

Larkin also talked about the necessities of co-promotion after pointing to the "high casualty rate" that resides in the world of MMA promoting.

"I do believe the MMA world is a fractured world, and the way to make it a healthier, stronger mainstream sport is through consolidation and rollup," he said. "There are just too many groups out there fighting over the same meatless bone."

Larkin touted the IFL's loaning of fighters to other organizations and allowed that other companies would do the same.

"You've got to co-promote or else your talent pool will wither," he said. "Also, by being protective of your fighters, you're diluting the value of that fighter's championship. If Yankees only played Yankees or the Red Sox played fellow Red Sox, you wouldn't have a championship team."

The most interesting part of the conference call was the discussion of co-promotion, as Larkin noted the willingness of the IFL to let their fighters fight.

"We are indicating and saying very clearly without hesitation that we want to work with other promoters," he remarked. "We happily loan out our fighters."

Larkin then went on to drop a golden nugget by saying that while a recent effort may have fallen through, the notion of an event like the IFL versus EliteXC might not be that farfetched.

If such a show were to take place, imagine a "Jay Hieron vs. Jake Shields (Pictures)" or "Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) vs. Murilo Rua (Pictures)" card that would certainly rattle some cages.

[spinach]

I don't even know what station the IFL is on anymore.

[atj-lucko]

That saying comes to mind "it's like changing the deck chairs on the Titanic"

[DemonPig]

Soon to be stars, eh? Jay Hieron and Vladimir Matyushenko. Wow. Who wrote this pile of crap? I remember when Hieron fought in UFC and was supposed to defeat some new guy named Georges... Did anyone catch Hieron wife's face after GSP mashed his face in? That was a Kodak moment. Vlad is waaaaay over the hill. He's still got skills but come on. Future and Matyushenko in the same sentence is a oxymoron.
IFL - soon to be extinct.

[Ubermensch]

If they just did it right the first time and never touch that team thing they would have been fine. Their problem is they think we fans are to stupid to know what we want to watch and that is their downfall.

[KTFO u]

At least IFL is tring something new,I'v always been a fan and will continue to watch

[atj-lucko]

Originally Posted by KTFO u

At least IFL is tring something new,I'v always been a fan and will continue to watch

Kenny Rice is that you??