IFL on Network TV Tonight!

[themmachamp]

Today, Monday, on MyNetworkTV from 8-10 pm

I’ve been looking forward to this for some time. The Countdown to IFL Battleground was pretty good for a preview show and I still can’t believe MMA is going to be on network television.


To figure out what channel that is for you go here:

http://www.mynetworktv.com/local_stations.html

[Stevebjj]

I watched the Countdown show and what was actual show was pretty good. It was a 1 hour infomercial, even down to recycling the sales pitch every 10 minutes:

Montage of clips showing MMA fighters suplexing, knocking out, submitting or otherwise putting the hurt on someone. Occasional cutaways to coaches yelling encouragement and stills of the teams standing with their coach.

VO: This isn't wrestling. This isn't boxing. It's full contact MMA and these guys DO IT ALL! This is the NEXT LEVEL of professional fighting and these guys are PUTTING IT ALL ON THE LINE! But what makes the IFL difference is that, for the first time EVER (if you don't count wrestling teams) they're applying a team concept to combat sports.

The above isn't a complaint. I watched the entire thing and I'm also looking forward to it. I just think they went a little overboard. :D I hope that in the 2 hour show format, we get to see the superfights, as well as all of the bouts uncut.

[pauli]

i'm impressed by the ifl's continuing ability to get onto tv channels that i don't get.

[Davey Bones]

I'm in the middle of it now, and it's not bad. Good rules, decent following it would appear. Biggest gripe is that the coaches are damn near legendary (Bas Rutten, Carlos Newton, the Shamrocks, a Gracie, Miletech, Linland, Frye, etc), but the fighters are definitely rough around the edges, IMO. That's not a bad thing, mind you. Just looks like a new fight league. If it can stay on network TV, it may just develop a good following.

Go Anacondas and Wolfpack!

[Apotheosis]

I dislike the team concept..I also dislike the whole "pro wrestling" promotion and marketing.

"My fighters will fight to the death for the team" etc...

[Linguo]

I'm in the middle of it now, and it's not bad. Good rules, decent following it would appear. Biggest gripe is that the coaches are damn near legendary (Bas Rutten, Carlos Newton, the Shamrocks, a Gracie, Miletech, Linland, Frye, etc), but the fighters are definitely rough around the edges, IMO. That's not a bad thing, mind you. Just looks like a new fight league. If it can stay on network TV, it may just develop a good following.

Go Anacondas and Wolfpack!

I agree that a lot of the fighters are definitely rough. There are a few standouts like Chris Horodescki (sp?) and Rory Markham, but many of them are definitely a bit rough.

The most important thing to remember is that it is free MMA. Well, free for those of us who get mynetwork. I say even if you dislike the team concept, watch it for the simple fact that it is MMA on network television.

[Stevebjj]

I dislike the team concept..I also dislike the whole "pro wrestling" promotion and marketing.

"My fighters will fight to the death for the team" etc...I think the team aspect of it makes it more legit, not less. It harkens to collegiate/high school wrestling. The IFL is also far less like the WWE than the UFC or Pride. I really like the format, although I'd like to see them use a point system more like wrestling, rather than a simple best of 5.

Plus, from what I've heard about the IFL, they actually offer salaries to the fighters, as well as benefits, including medical. I'm saying this from memory, but I'm pretty sure I read or heard an interview from one of the founders of the IFL about the league and their plans.

[Davey Bones]

I thin the team aspect makes it more interesting, tbh. Less room for ego, more room for fighting; if you don't perform, you get benched. I agree it could be better to have less of a "winner take all" point system, however. For those of you not familiar with the World Combat League, they use a combo of point sparring and boxing point system, so each fighter gets points at the end of the round. The winning team is the team with the most points. MMA bouts are scored anyway, so why not try that, instead.

[Stevebjj]

Now, were all of the fights yesterday from the 2006 season?

Also, the one thing that really kind of struck me as wrong was the way they hyped the guy being taken out on a stretcher. That's uncool. And I remember that fight, too. He was a game fighter who was doing very well.

[Davey Bones]

I checked the fight cards online, and they were matching up with the '06 season. Plus they were talking about new teams which kinda exist now... But it was a good entry into network tv.

I'm not surprised they hyped the stretcher. They wanted to get ratings, and we all know the demographic for this show is gonna be the blood and guts set until it becomes more well-known. Remember, this is the same crowd who watches the UFC and "boo"s when the fighters get into the technical groundwork that makes a knowledgable MAer drool.

[Stevebjj]

I understand it, but that doesn't mean I like it! I hear what you're saying, Gangrel, and have to agree... wish it were otherwise.

[Davey Bones]

so do I.... it sucks to see a good groundfight get "boo"d because a bunch of rednecks who think the WWE is real is the main audience *sigh*

on the other hand, that *is* how the original UFCs were marketed, so perhaps it's a case of "be careful how you advertise!"

[themmachamp]

Also, the one thing that really kind of struck me as wrong was the way they hyped the guy being taken out on a stretcher. That's uncool. And I remember that fight, too. He was a game fighter who was doing very well.

Kurt Otto apologized for the first episode and if anyone watched it last night, it completely changed and was a great show.

[themmachamp]

i'm impressed by the ifl's continuing ability to get onto tv channels that i don't get.


if you have a Television and a antenna, you get MyNetworkTV. You don't need cable. I think 98% of america gets the station

[Linguo]

last night's was waaaay better than last week.

[Davey Bones]

It was, I'm just looking forward to the day when they show some more current fights. The backstory provides some great set-up, but I hope they fast forward soon!

[Apotheosis]

last night's was waaaay better than last week.

Much better...I like how the IFL shows it can learn from it's mistakes and adapt....still some things that could be improved upon but all in all it was a pretty good hour of MMA.

[themmachamp]

Much better...I like how the IFL shows it can learn from it's mistakes and adapt....still some things that could be improved upon but all in all it was a pretty good hour of MMA.

agreed, i'm glad they listened and came through on their promise

[Pacificshore]

Caught the IFL last night, was pretty good to watch without having to pay $$ ;)

At least Renzo Gracie won his match against Pat Militech(sp), even if his fighters lost the majority of fights.

[Linguo]

anyone catch last night's? I dug how they showcased the Wolfpack teaching children mma and how happy all the kids appeared. It gave MMA a much more pleasant appearance as a healthy outlet for children. It's probably not cheap to train there, but it's for the children!

[karatekid9811]

lol IFL originated in New Jersey and im good friends with Kurt Otto the owner of the league. I have met Ben Rothwell Tim Sylvia Pat Miletich Bas Rutten Maurice Smith and a few others was great