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What Is The IFL Doing?

If you can believe it, they are actually taking a page out of the YAMMA playbook. Unreal:

The International Fight League revealed plans on Thursday to debut a six-sided ring as the fight promotion's fighting surface. The new ring has been branded as "The Hex" and will debut on August 15 for a show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

...

While not addressing the issue directly, it's likely that the IFL's decision to use a six-sided ring is based on claims by critics that their product looks too much like boxing on television. Publicly, the IFL is indicating that its audience enjoys the ring and that they are going with a six-sided version in order to create a larger fighting environment.

"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," IFL CEO Jay Larkin is quoted as saying in a press release. "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."

I just don't understand this. Was anyone crying about the ring only having four sides? Did ANYONE you know say, "You know what the IFL needs? A six-sided ring. That four-sided ring is for boxing, not MMA." No, you didn't because no one said it.

I feel for the IFL because they take so much abuse in the punditocracy when they show flashes of brilliance at times. But this is not one of those times. Not by a longshot.

-- picture from fightlinker.com

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Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Boy...they're doing what TNA tried to do to separate itself from WWE by switching to a 6 sided ring (pro-wrestling).

Long story short...

...the new ring didn't cover up the fact that the product still sucks.

by brentbrookhouse on May 8, 2008 3:03 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Ding Ding Ding!

by Kelvin on May 8, 2008 3:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Which in turn, ripped it from Antoni Pena's AAA Luche Libre promotion.

The difference between TNA and AAA was that AAA developed the ring to allow the Luchadors more freedom in pulling off more technical stunts.

In TNA, it's a gimmick.

by Royal on May 9, 2008 3:57 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Exactly.  Pena was a visionary...the brains behind some of the most revolutionary ideas in the lucha libre world.  You...can't really say the same thing for the people involved in the IFL.  They've certainly TRIED to be innovative but this is just an attempt to get people to stop flipping channels to see what the weird ring is for.

by brentbrookhouse on May 9, 2008 9:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
I just put some "speed holes" in the hood of my car today.  Totally makes it go faster.

by pud333 on May 8, 2008 3:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
I think you're giving them too much credit, Luke. I'd submit that IFL is taking a page out of TNA Wrestling's book. A book which, you'll note, has not  earned a net profit in any year that it has existed.

So, things are looking up for IFL!

by Brett Jones on May 8, 2008 3:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
See my comment above ^^^.

I'd say we're on the same page.  Something like a 6-sided ring doesn't turn a turd into a diamond.   ...and I'm an IFL fan in all honesty.

by brentbrookhouse on May 8, 2008 4:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
"While not addressing the issue directly, it's likely that the IFL's decision to use a six-sided ring is based on claims by critics that their product looks too much like boxing on television."

Of all the criticisms I've heard of PRIDE, DREAM, the IFL, and other MMA orgs that used/use rings instead of the cage, I've never heard "This reminds me too much of boxing." Wouldn't the action in the ring basically show that it wasn't boxing match going on?

Most of the grief I've heard was aimed at the team system they had before this season.

by Tonley on May 8, 2008 4:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
I've never heard that either.  The thing about the ring that I've always hated was the need to restart the fight after the fighters get tangled up in the ropes, etc.  It just interferes with the flow of the fight.  But I suppose it's necessary given the nature of the ring.  One of the reasons why I prefer a cage.  Beyond that, I never really had a problem with the ring.

by pud333 on May 8, 2008 4:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
If critics can't tell the difference between boxing and MMA because the ring looks the same, then why would the IFL care about their criticism?

by DirtyML on May 8, 2008 4:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
"I don't understand what's going on in this chemistry lab, but it sure looks like biology."

"Sorry sir, we will change our lab around into a hexagon, that should help."

by DirtyML on May 8, 2008 4:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Of course, everyone remembers what great ideas PRIDE: The Best and the octagonal ring were

by smoogy on May 8, 2008 4:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: What Is The IFL Doing?
Damn I guess I'm all alone. Regardless of why they're actually doing it, or the chances that it will save them, I think it's a good idea. Too bad they didn't think if it when they started.

by kamander on May 9, 2008 5:02 PM EDT   0 recs

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