IFL Opts for New Ring Design, Announces Next Event
Today the IFL held a conference call with the press to announce several changes to its initial plans for 2008. First and most visible will be a new fighting enclosure, called The Hex, which is a six-sided boxing ring. The Hex is being built by Throwdown in Las Vegas and fighters will have an opportunity to train on it before their next IFL fight.
According to IFL CEO Jay Larkin:
From a production and live event standpoint, the ring has proven to be the most fan and media friendly environment, as well as providing the safest possible environment for our athletes. The Hex allows for the larger surface that is utilized in other MMA organizations while still retaining the advantages we have enjoyed with the ring.
Also of note is that the next IFL event will be in August, despite the IFL having booked a Las Vegas venue for June 27th. No IFL fights will take place after the IFL’s next event, IFL New Blood, New Battles on May 16th at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut until August. Fights for the August show will be announced in June.
Larkin addressed whether the IFL has been for sale by saying, “everything is for sale… Microsoft is for sale, the hot dog cart outside our office is for sale… We remain open to offers that make sense for the company.”
Another theme in the conversation was that of cross promotion. Larkin and IFL Director of Fight Operations Bas Rutten pointed out that IFL fighters Rory Markham and Mark Miller will be taking part in Adrenaline MMA’s upcoming debut show in June. Larkin stressed that the IFL is always open to cross promote with anyone, including the UFC although he said he does not see interest from the UFC in the matter.
Larkin stated that he had had conversations with EliteXC president Gary Shaw about loaning Jay Hieron to EliteXC and was ready to do so but Hieron had an upcoming fight obligation with the IFL at the time.
- Caleb 
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