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 Team purchases an IBL Franchise for the Year which includes Ownership privileges and various IBL Marketing Rights. To Apply for an IBL Franchise click HERE. Ownership Applications are at the bottom of this page.

  7. WHERE ARE THE IBL TEAMS BASED?
    • The location of the 2008 IBL teams will be announced after March 1st, 2008.

  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 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 Franchise Fee. However, we suggest you still contact the IBL Leaders of the various IBL Team Owners and IBL Conferences Directors for help on this. To do so, click HERE.

  11. HOW MANY FIGHTERS ARE ON AN IBL TEAM?
    • The IBL Teams are made of a minimum of 12 Amateur Fighters. Six Starters and Six Alternates. Each Team is required to Field A Starter and an Alternate Fighter Per Weightclass. Starters will compete on an event and in the case of an injury the Team Coach may change out a Starter with an Alternate as long as he notifies the upcoming Team a minimum of 5 days in advance of the event.

  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. Each Fighter must have a minimum of 3 proven Amateur MMA bouts to be on a Team. 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 or any ISCF Sanctioned Event.

  13. WHAT ARE THE IBL MMA WEIGHT CLASSES?
    • There are SIX 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.
      6. Heavyweight, 205 lbs. to 265 lbs.

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

  15. WHO SANCTIONS THE IBL EVENTS?
    • Each event is sanctioned by the ISCF, International Sport Combat Federation. ( www.ISCFMMA.com ) However, in some cases, the IBL events will be co-sanctioned by the ISCF and a States Athletic/Boxing Commission.

  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 rules prohibit head butting, hair pulling, elbows to the head or face, and strikes to the spine, kidney, throat or back of the head. The IBL safety rules which are those adopted from the ISCF are equal to or more restrictive than the rules of most State Athletic/Boxing Commissions.

  17. WILL THE IBL OPEN A DIVISION OR A WEIGHTCLASS FOR WOMEN?
    • Not in the first Season (2008). However next season the IBL hopes to add as many as possibly 3 women's weightclasses for each IBL Team. This idea is still under discussion.

  18. HOW CAN I BE AN IBL REGIONAL DIRECTOR?
    • To have the Title of Regional Director one must be able to LEAD. In addition, you also must have a background in some, not all, but some of the following aspects as related to the IBL and or the ISCF:
      • Assisting in the building of the IBL.
      • Be an IBL Team Owner. This way the Director knows what it takes to run a team and to show they made a commitment to the IBL.
      • Have a Neutral opinion and open mind so you can assist other IBL Teams in your region.
      • Be a Leader in the ISCF as an Event Representative.

  19. HOW IS AN IBL SEASON STRUCTURED?
    • The best time for the Season is during the months of good weather.
      • This way, there are no problems with traveling to the various venues.
      • The proposed Season for the Divisional Match-Ups is June, July & August.
      • The 2 months needed for the Playoffs shall be September & October.
      • The Grand Prix All Star Event shall be held at the end of the year in November/December.
      • This would make the entire season, 6 MONTHS LONG.
    • There will be an IBL Event every weekend throughout the 3 month Regular Season because the teams would be on a rotating - staggered schedule.
    • Each Team will have an event every 20-22 days. (3 Weeks)
    • In a Division with 4 Teams there would be 4 Events.
      • The FIRST TEAM that Registers for the Season will have the choice of what event they want to host, 1st event, 2nd event, 3rd event or 4th.
        • This will be followed in order for the remaining events by order of Team Registration.
      • The first 3 events will be held at different Home Team Venues.
      • In these first 3 events, each Team will have an opportunity to fight one of the remaining 3 Teams once.
      • After three Events, each Team would have fought each other once.
      • The final of the 4 season events will be at the remaining Home Venue. It will be what is called a "Hat Draw" Event.
        • On this event, the HOME Team's fighters will each draw from a hat filled with the three names of the other teams 3 fighters in his weightclass.
        • Who he draws will be who he fights.
        • The two remaining names in the hat for that weightclass will fight each other.
        • At the end of the night, the Two Teams with the most Points will be awarded the two wins for this event.

  20. HOW DOES AN IBL EVENT RUN?
    • In the first 3 IBL Season Events, The 4 Teams from the Teams Region will meet. Two teams compete against each other, with the winning team being the one whose members win the majority of the bouts. As for the 4th Event, see above explanation.

  21. HOW LONG IS EACH IBL BOUT?
    • All individual bouts are three, three-minute rounds.

  22. 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.
    • 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 ISCF referee.

  23. 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.

  24. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE IBL REGULAR SEASON IS OVER?
    • IBL PLAYOFFS:
      • IBL PLAYOFFS ROUND 1: Each Conference (Western, Central & Eastern) will determine their 4 top Teams from their 3 Regions and 1 "Wild Card" Team which will be the 4th best Team in the Conference. There will be 2 Playoff Events. Playoff Event 1 will determine the top two Teams. The Team with the best record as determined by win-loss or by the point system will host each event.
        • IBL PLAYOFFS ROUND 2: The third playoff event will determine the "Conference Champion" who will move on to the "Final Four" Championship event. The Team with the best record as determined by win-loss or by the point system will host each event.
          • IBL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIPS: At this event there will be 3 Conference Champions and once again, a "Wild Card" Team which will be selected by the IBL from one of the (Round 2) losing Teams. The IBL League will determine the Championship location and host this event.
            • IBL "ALL STAR" GRAND PRIX:
              • Each fighter will have a separate ranking and point system from the IBL Team system.
              • Each fighter will earn their ranking based upon the point structure system: (Win points, or to break a tie, how they won)
              • In each of the 6 IBL weight classes the IBL will select the top two fighters who will participate in the "IBL All Star Grand Prix" for An IBL Title Belt.
              • Each IBL TEAM that fields an ALL STAR will be responsible for their travel expenses to the "IBL All Star Grand Prix."
              • It is the desired goal of the IBL to assure that a minimum of 1 winner, maybe all 5 winners at the "IBL All Star Grand Prix" are selected for Pro Contracts on one of the Premier Pro MMA Promotions.


  25. IS THERE AN IBL RANKING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL FIGHTERS?
    • Yes.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. DO YOU HAVE AN IBL SEASON SCHEDULE?
    • The IBL Season Schedule will be posted in late April or Early May, 2008.

  29. HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND IBL EVENTS?
    • The average attendance over the last 2 years (2006 & 2007) for Amateur ISCF MMA events has been between 700 and 3,500 spectators. Some events have seen over 4,000.

  30. WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL THE IBL USE?
  31. 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. As of the beginning of February 2008, the IBL has seen 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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!