IFL In Canada

This weekend, Rogers Sportsnet aired the first International Fight League episode. It was refreshing to see an alternative to UFC on Canadian television, and I'm hoping that this signals a desire on the part of Canadian broadcasters to embrace the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

For those not familiar with the IFL, it has an interesting premise. Rather than simply pitting fighter against fighter, the IFL adds the concept of teams. Each team consists of five fighters, once each in the Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight weight classes. These five fighters then compete against the fighters from another team. The first team with 3 victories is the winner, although the other fights will go on, on order to help with standings and the like.

The fights take place in a four sided ring, a la Pride. This presents some interesting dimensions that the UFC cage doesn't offer, such as the moving of a ground game from the ropes to the centre of the ring if it appears that the fight is in danger of going outside the ropes. I only mention this because that rule certainly helped Alex Schoenauer on the first episode, as he was able to lock in an excellent heel hook from the bottom after the fight was moved from the ropes to the centre of the ring. Which raises an interesting strategy question, regarding whether getting the fight moved to the centre of the ring is a viable strategy, as it affords the opportunity to take the opponent by surprise when the fight is restarted.

As of right now, there are four teams, each with an MMA legend as coach, but there are a number of teams that have been announced. The four existing teams are:

The Silverbacks, coached by Pat Miletich.

The Anacondas, coached by Bas Rutten.

The Pitbulls, coached by Renzo Gracie.

The Tiger Sharks, coached by Maurice Smith.


It was interesting watching the first episode, not only for the refreshing change of pace from the UFC, but because of some of the faces I saw. First off was UFC referee Herb Dean, who was also the referee for the first match on the show. Thankfully, he didn't end the match too quickly this time. I also saw UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia in the Silverbacks corner. While that shouldn't be surprising, seeing as how Sylvia trains in the Miletich fighting system, I was surprised that Dana didn't exert more control over his fighters, and what they are allowed to implicitly endorse through their presence. Unless Sylvia was later told he is not allowed to attend any further IFL fights, or at least not to appear on camera.

I'm also looking forward to the emergence of some of the new teams, most importantly, the Canadian Dragons, coached by Carlos Newton. Also announced are the Sabres, coached by Antonio Inoki, whose fighters will hopefully be more exciting than the infamous Inoki/Ali fight, the Razorclaws, coached by Mark Coleman, and the Wolfpack, coached by Matt Lindland. With all these great names coaching, the IFL is also wisely putting the coaches in some fights, with Miletich/Gracie announced for their shows in September. I do doubt, however, that Inoki will be taking any fights.

I think the whole IFL concept is interesting, as it offers a new dynamic to the world of MMA, particularly because it makes the triumph of the individual as important as the triumph of the team. More importantly, at least to me, is the fact that the existence of a Canadian team may help to make the sport more accepted here in this desolate wasteland we call a country. Who knows, maybe in the near future, I'll be able to buy tickets to an MMA show in Toronto, or even here in London. Because god knows I don't want to have to go to Quebec, even if they do have better poutine.