UPDATED - APRIL 2009


Questions & Answers
About The
International BATTLE League

  1. WHAT IS THE IBL?
    • International Battle League is an AMATEUR Fight Sport League.
    • The beginning foundation of the IBL is the IBL Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) League.
      • The IBL MMA League. was created to Organize Team Owned MMA Sporting Events and to provide an exciting venue for the Amateur MMA Fighters In the growing popularity of MMA in the United States and around the World.
    • In addition, the IBL is not limited to Amateur Mixed Martial Arts. Future plans include an IBL Amateur Kickboxing League as well.

  2. WHERE IS THE IBL BASED?
    • The IBL's Headquarters is in Newcastle, California, USA with another Operations Office in Kansas City, Kansas, USA.

  3. IS THERE AN IBL WEBSITE?
  4. WHAT IS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA)?
    • Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is exactly what it says, a MIXTURE of various martial Arts. It is a full contact combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including striking and grappling. Although there is no limit to the number of various styles of Martial Arts, MMA consists of styles such as Kickboxing, JuJitsu, Muay Thai, Judo as well as general styles of Boxing & Wrestling. For more detailed information about MMA click HERE.

  5. IS IBL MMA FIGHTING REAL?
    • Yes. The matches are real and the athletes are well trained.

  6. HOW ARE IBL TEAMS CREATED?
    • The IBL Teams are created by Motivated Individuals who are also Leaders. These individuals are either just Owners or Owner/Coaches together. Each individual purchases an IBL Team for the Year which includes Ownership privileges and various IBL Marketing Rights. To Apply for an IBL Team click HERE. Ownership Applications are at the bottom of this page.

  7. WHERE ARE THE IBL TEAMS BASED?
  8. CAN THERE BE MORE THAN 1 COACH PER IBL TEAM?
    • Each Team is limited to 3 Registered Coaches.

  9. HOW ARE THE FIGHTERS OF EACH IBL TEAM SELECTED?
    • The Team Coaches and Team Owners determine the team rosters.

  10. HOW CAN A FIGHTER JOIN AN IBL TEAM?
    • Most IBL Team Owners and Coaches already have a team formed by the time they pay their IBL Team Fee. However, we suggest you still contact the various IBL Team Owners which can be found by clicking HERE.

  11. HOW MANY FIGHTERS ARE ON AN IBL TEAM?
    • Each IBL Team for the 2009 IBL season is required to have a minimum of 5 Amateur fighters.

  12. WHO ARE THE IBL FIGHTERS?
    • The teams will be made up of AMATEUR MMA FIGHTERS ONLY. ALL Fighters must first be registered with the ISCF as a Registered Amateur MMA fighter. The number of proven Amateur MMA bouts will determine what Division each Team will be in. Fighters who begin the IBL Season with 3 Fights or less are eligible for the "B LEAGUE". Fighters with "MORE THAN" 3 Fights are eligible for the "A LEAGUE". If desired, an A LEAGUE Team may have fighters on it with less than 3 fights, but the coach must understand that this fighter may be matched up against a fighter with far more than 3 fights.
      • Any fighter who has fought in even "1' Pro striking sport will not be allowed to compete as an Amateur MMA Fighter in the IBL.

  13. WHAT ARE THE IBL MMA WEIGHT CLASSES?
    • There are FIVE IBL Weight Classes. The weightclasses are:
      1. Featherweight, 135 lbs. to 145 lbs.
      2. Lightweight, 145 lbs. to 155 lbs.
      3. Welterweight, 155 lbs. to 170 lbs.
      4. Middleweight, 170 lbs. to 185 lbs.
      5. Light Heavyweight, 185 lbs. to 205 lbs.

  14. ARE THE IBL EVENTS SAFE AND SANCTIONED?
    • Yes.

  15. WHO SANCTIONS THE IBL EVENTS?
    • Each event must be sanctioned by either a State Athletic/Boxing Commission or a Nationally Recognized Amateur MMA Sanctioning Body of the Promoters choice that has been pre-approved by the IBL.
    • If your event is sanctioned by the ISCF, International Sport Combat Federation your ISCF Event Representative will double as your IBL Event representative.
    • If your event is sanctioned by a State Athletic/Boxing Commission or a IBL approved Nationally Recognized Amateur MMA Sanctioning Body, the event Promoter will have to have an additional Official IBL Event Representative in attendance at his/her event.

  16. ARE THERE FOULS IN AN IBL MATCH?
    • The IBL rules have been designed to keep the athletes safe and healthy for the entire Season.
    • The IBL safety rules are those adopted from the ISCF, and are equal to, or more restrictive than the rules of most State Athletic/Boxing Commissions. The rules prohibit;
      • Head butting
      • Hair pulling
      • Elbows to the head or face.
      • Strikes to the spine, kidney, throat or back of the head.


  17. WILL THE IBL OPEN A DIVISION OR A WEIGHTCLASS FOR WOMEN?
    • Yes, for the 2009 IBL Season, each Team is required to feature 1 Women's bout per event. The weightclass for the woman's bout will be determined during matchmaking.

  18. HOW IS AN IBL SEASON STRUCTURED?
  19. HOW DOES AN IBL EVENT RUN?
  20. HOW LONG IS EACH IBL BOUT?
    • All individual bouts are three, three-minute rounds.

  21. HOW DOES A COMPETITOR WIN AN IBL MATCH?
    • DECISION: When the about has ended after the bouts specified time period without a winner, the bout decision shall be determined by the (3) three judges, as set forth by these rules.
    • KNOCKOUT: Fighter is unable to *intelligently defend himself following a strike(s). TKO: If the licensed ringside physician or referee decides the fighter cannot continue due to a cut or other injury.
      • (*) When a fighter has been hit so many times, that he/she simply is unable to make a "Rational" and or "SAFE" decision for his/her own safety, as to whether he/she should tap out, verbally or physically, at this time, it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the Referee to make that "Intelligent Decision" for the fighter, with the fighter's safety in mind. IN ADDITION, A fighter could very well be open eyed and of sound mind as they are taking blow after blow or as they are being choked, but still refuse to tap due to, as an example, pride and ego, AGAIN, this is why we have QUALIFIED Referees. It is their RESPONSIBILITY to make that "Intelligent Decision" for the fighter, with the fighter's safety in mind.
    • SUBMISSION: When a fighter submits by tapping the opponent or the mat more than "3" times as a result from a choke, lock, or for any other reason. IF a fighter is in no position to tap out, he may yell for example, "I QUIT" or "I GIVE UP" or "STOP!". IF a fighter cannot tap or cannot yell, the referee shall stop the bout from his own personal determination of the fighter's safety.
    • REFEREE STOPPAGE: When a fighter is taking excessive punishment but cannot or will not submit or quit, either due to striking, failing to show a willingness to continue, a refusal to submit in the face of grave injury, or any other reason the referee believes is necessary to preserve the fighter's safety.
    • THROW IN THE TOWEL: When a fighter's corner feels their fighter has had enough and decides to end the bout for the safety of the fighter. This shall count as a TKO.
    • QUIT: When a fighter simply cannot or refuses to continue.
    • DISQUALIFICATION: The fighters's opponent is disqualified by the Referee.

  22. WHAT IF THERE IS A DRAW AFTER A THREE ROUND IBL BOUT?
    • If there is a draw after three rounds, a FOURTH three-minute round will determine the winner.

  23. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE IBL REGULAR SEASON IS OVER?
  24. IS THERE AN IBL RANKING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL FIGHTERS?
    • Yes.

  25. HOW WILL THE IBL DETERMINE THOSE RANKINGS?
    • AWP: Accumulated WIN Points
      • Total of WIN Points of each bout a fighter competed in.
        • Win = 1 Point
        • Lose = 0 Points.
      • In the case of a Forfeit - Ex: Opponent no shows - the opposing fighter will receive the HIGHEST allowed points.
    • HWP: How Won Points
      • In case of any TIES with the Accumulated WIN Points, these points shall be thrown out and the League will review the fighters HWP.
        • First Round Win (Knockout, TKO, Submission): 30 Points
        • Second Round Win (Knockout, TKO, Submission): 20 Points
        • 3rd Round Win (Knockout, TKO, Submission): 10 Points
        • Judges Decision Win: 5 Points.
    • Location of each playoff event shall be determined in the same way as above, with the BEST earning Home Venue Rights.

  26. WHERE CAN THE IBL BE SEEN?
    • Live events around the USA, Future plans are live Web Broadcasting as well as the potential for Local TV.

  27. DO YOU HAVE AN IBL SEASON SCHEDULE?
  28. HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND IBL EVENTS?
    • The average attendance over the last 3 years (2006, 2007 & 2008) for Amateur MMA events has been between 700 and 3,500 spectators. Some events have seen over 4,000.

  29. WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL THE IBL USE?
  30. WILL THE IBL SEEK TO EXPAND INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD?
    • Eventually Yes. However, the goal of the IBL is to create an organized League here in the USA first to assure success for not just the League itself, but the owners as well. Once the IBL establishes itself as a proven League, then they will look into global expansion. When the IBL was first created it received interest from USA neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico of course but also countries such as England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Ghana, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands and Hungary. The biggest surprise has been the inquiries received from Japan. Seems they have a big desire to start up an IBL League in Asia. Sweden has shown a big interest in the IBL too.

  31. WHO MIGHT OR WILL WATCH THE IBL?
    • MMA is "THE" Fastest growing sports in the world! MMA is most popular with the key 18- to 35-year-old male demographic groups however it has become a VERY Popular women's spectator sport as well as Adult Men & Women over the age of 35. In a nutshell, MMA has become the most watched sport of any age group.

  32. WHAT IS THE LONG TERM VISION OF THE IBL?
    • The plan is to grow the IBL in the United States in the Amateur Mixed Martial arts. once the IBL name has become well established, the IBL will determine the various expansion opportunities which will be;
      • Should the IBL form more Amateur Teams outside the USA, outside North America?
      • Should the IBL open up the League for an IBL Amateur Kickboxing League?
    • As the IBL grows these decisions will be influenced by Team Participation as will as the general opinions of those associated with the IBL and of course the IBL Fight Fans!





INTERNATIONAL BATTLE LEAGUE!