FRIDAY, January 18th, 2008, AT 9:50 PM, PT

THE NEXT BIG THING...
We Present To You, The

International BATTLE League!

After a successful year in working with the Professional MMA League, the IFL ( International Fight League) the ISCF has been swamped with requests from literally hundreds of Amateur Fighters and Trainers have been asking the ISCF to create something like the IFL "Team/league" concept, but for Amateurs. Well Fighters.... Your prayers and wishes have been answered. We would like to introduce to you the "Next Big Thing" for MMA, The

IBL
International Battle League

The First Real Amateur MMA Team Fight League!

Already there is a lot of excitement about the new IBL. "I was so excited to hear that the ISCF was working to implement an amateur fight league." said Joe Taylor, (R) President of Combat Sports International - www.combatsports.com) "This is long overdue as it is a must that the amateur athletes are given a first class platform to display their talents. I am 100% confident that Steve Fossum and the ISCF will provide such a stage for these disciplined athletes. Combat Sports International is proud to be given the opportunity to support such a noble venture."

"Even before this official press release was made there has already been a load of interest." said Steve Crawford, (L) VP of Operations with the new IBL. "In just speaking with several fighters, trainers and promoters, the IBL has had requests for teams from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Virginia, Florida, Arkansas, Indiana and North Carolina. We have also had several top names voice their support such as Pat Miletich, Bas Rutten and Keith Hackney."

Even the IFL is supportive of the IBL knowing it will be a great place to scout potential pro talent for the Pro IFL League. All rules and regulations of the IBL will be sanctioned by the ISCF.

"Our goal in creating the IBL is not to compete with the IFL." Said ISCF President Steve Fossum (R). "We still have a very good relationship with them and of course competing on a pro level would be burning a loyal bridge. If anything, the new IBL Amateur League will be a feeder organization to Professional Promotions such as the IFL."

Of course, the main thing that sets the IBL apart from the IFL is the fact that the IBL is an AMATEUR Team League and although there are other things that are the same, there are also a lot of differences.

The weight classes are the same;

  • Lightweight, 145 lbs. to 155 lbs.
  • Welterweight, 155 lbs. to 170 lbs.
  • Middleweight, 170 lbs. to 185 lbs.
  • Light Heavyweight, 185 lbs. to 205 lbs.
  • Heavyweight, 205 lbs. to 265 lbs.

The Team concept and competition will be the same, as each League Event will feature 4 Teams, where 2 Teams square off against each other for ranking points, wins and loses. However, the differences of the IBL Amateur League may work to its overall advantage and future success.

In the IBL, all the Teams will be "Teamed Owned" instead of owned by the League (IBL). Team Owners do not have to be directly involved in the sport of MMA. In some cases the Team Owner will be the same as the Team Coach. However, some Teams will have a separate Owner and Coach. There is no limit to the number of Coaches and or Trainers each Team can have. Each Team will be responsible for their own expenses which means they will be allowed to seek and attain their own sponsorship for expense funding and or needed equipment. Team members could be fighters all from 1 gym/school or a combined group from the city or region the team is based out of. It will be best if all the Team members live close to each other to assure unity of the Team, especially in Team practices and decision making. This concept clearly separates the IBL/ISCF Leadership from the TEAMS just as in other successful Team Leagues such as the NFL or NBA. The only difference here is that this is an AMATEUR League.

Teams will field 6 starters and up to 6 alternates, although it is not "Mandatory" for a Team to field a full roster of 6 Alternates. Each Team will be responsible for hosting 1 home event a season. Scheduled events will be held every 20-30 days, depending on venue bookings. There will be 1 home event for each Team.

The League will be divided into 3 Conferences for the inagural 2008 Season (Central, Northern and Eastern). At the end of the season, each conference will hold a Playoff event for the Conference Championship. This will consist of the Best Team in the Conference and the second best.

Once a Champion is determined from each of the 3 Conferences, the League will select the best performing Team from the Playoffs to be added in as the Wild Card Team to make up the IBL Final 4 Championships.

The IBL will be responsible for hosting the IBL Final 4 Championship event. At the Tournament, after weigh-ins, a hat draw will determine the parings of the first 2 match ups and the first 10 fights along with which Teams will compete first. After the first 12 fights, on the SAME NIGHT, the final two winning Teams will meet for the IBL Championship. Here is where it ads a little twist. The winning "Fighters" will each receive an IBL Championship Belts. The Winning TEAM will receive a Championship Trophy and other Championship Awards such as individual Championship Rings, Plaques, Jackets and other things.

After the IBL Final 4 Championships, the IBL will host the IBL Grand Prix which will be a match-up of the top 12 fighters (2 from each weight class) to compete for an even more prestigious belt, the IBL Grand Prix Belt.





INTERNATIONAL BATTLE LEAGUE!