IFL

It takes a special kind of cojones to stare down permanent injury and say "Eff it, I ain't tappin'." Inspired by the DVD we've been plugging lately, we decided to pay tribute to the technical submission — that thrilling moment when a fighter is caught in a health-threatening submission hold, but is too stupid much of a warrior to concede defeat, so the referee has to do it for him. Because as a wise man once said, "Tapping out is for bitches." Enjoy...

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#8: Daniel Gracie vs. Wes Sims
IFL Championships 2006, 6/3/06

After their first chaotic mess of a bout was ruled a “Technical Draw,” Gracie and Sims met again in the IFL for another technical ending.  Though Sims has always had a hazy understanding of the rules in any given MMA bout, he got taken down too quickly to launch any illegal stomps in this one, and had to settle for giving up his back and then trying to grab on to the ropes (thankfully Stephen Quadros reminds him that he can’t do that) as Gracie stayed on him like a backpack and choked him unconscious.  There’s nothing quite like seeing a 6’10” guy drop to the canvas like somebody just pulled his plug.  Sleep well, buddy.

#7. Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni
Strikeforce/EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Baroni, 6/22/07

(Choke starts at the 8:35 mark.)

Thanks to Shammy’s pioneering work in video trash talk, this fight was epic before it even began. Strikeforce’s first middleweight title fight paired two loud-mouthed badasses who would never admit defeat — but unfortunately, there could be only one champion. After battering the NYBA with punches for almost two full rounds, Shamrock took Baroni’s back, wrapped an arm around his neck, and squeezed. While most men would tap to the hold, Baroni went out like a warrior, throwing punches into Frank’s mug until he lost consciousness. Shamrock celebrated his win by shoving Baroni’s lifeless body then kicking him in the ass, proving that he wasn’t just the better fighter that night, he was also the bigger asshole.

(These fond memories now belong to HDNet.)

In an apparent attempt to bolster their MMA content, HDNet has purchased the IFL's remains for $650,000. The purchase includes the IFL's video library, their brand name, intellectual property, as well as some of their liabilities. Since the IFL hasn't put on a show since May, and since much of their 2008 season was broadcast on HDNet anyway, the question we have to ask regarding this purchase is, now what?

Not that the IFL didn't put on some good fights, but how much is old fight footage really worth? With the exception of the really good bouts, watching old fights can be a lot like watching old college football games on ESPN Classic, which is to say it appeals to a very select audience, mostly the unemployed and the very, very drunk, either of whom are likely to think they're watching live TV.

But HDNet seems too savvy to pay that much for a bunch of old fights that have already been aired on Fox Sports Net and MyNetwork, not to mention spread around the internet. So what do you have up your sleeve, HDNet? Don't tell me you paid more than half a million dollars just to air Chris Horodecki highlights in between old episodes of Hogan's Heroes. All right, I admit I'd watch that.

After battling a series of bizarre and career-threatening injuries, Benji Radach ran up an impressive winning streak in the IFL. He beat mostly mid-level fighters like Ryan McGivern and Gerald Harris, but he did it convincingly and in exciting fashion. Then he got TKO'd by Matt Horwich in his last fight. Apparently that was enough for the UFC to decide to pass on him when it came time to bid on IFL free agents after the company's collapse. In an interview with Sam Caplan, Radach can't seem to make sense of why MMA's biggest organization wouldn't want to sign a guy who's coming of a loss and has a history of injuries:

“The UFC actually never pursued anything. I actually gave them the option at first (to negotiate) by letting them know I was interested in fighting for the UFC again. But they said I needed to win a fight before I could be a part of the UFC. That really was kind of retarded from my point of view. If there’s a good fighter out there, then you want to grab that good fighter. It doesn’t make a difference if he goes out there and beats a nobody and then gets a win and comes back in. It’s just really stupid. Why is it important that I go out and smash somebody just to get a win rather than fight a top guy in your organization?”

On one hand, Radach has a point. He could go to one of the smaller shows and knock out a guy no one has ever heard of, and it wouldn't prove anything (aside from perhaps silencing lingering doubts as to his durability). On the other hand, if you want to fight for the UFC, why not go ahead and do that?

(Remember the good times. Photo courtesy of DayLife.com.)

Despite a less-than-attractive sales pitch, it seems like the bankrupt IFL has found a sucker to buy its kinda worthless video library. From biz.yahoo.com via Fightlinker:

On September 19, 2008, IFLC filed with the Court a motion for orders (a) authorizing IFLC to sell all or substantially all of its assets to HDNet LLC ("HDNet"), subject to higher and better offers, (b) approving bid procedures, (c) scheduling auction and sale hearing and (d) granting related relief (the "Sale Motion"). In connection with the Sale Motion, on September 19, 2008, IFLC and HDNet entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), which contemplates the sale of substantially all of IFLC's assets (the "Purchased Asset") to HDNet for total consideration of $650,000 in cash and the assumption by HDNet of certain liabilities of IFLC. The Asset Purchase Agreement is subject to higher and better offers as set forth in the Sale Motion...

A hearing to consider the Sale Motion is scheduled for October 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (prevailing Eastern time).

$650,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to the IFL's total losses, but it'll be enough for Jay Larkin & Co. to pay the lawyers, fly somewhere tropical, and lay low for a while. It's hard to imagine they'll get any "higher and better offers," which means HDNet is about to add another peg to its MMA broadcast kingdom. Sweet — does this mean an "Ultimate Roy Nelson" HDNet special is on the way?

Semi-related: HDNet's broadcasts of DREAM events have been great for American insomniac MMA fans, but unless DREAM gets its ratings up in its own country, they could be heading for an IFL-style extinction. As MMA Mania reports:

DREAM has underperformed in all three of its contracted four television events, prompting FEG’s Sadaharu Tanikawahas to consider dissolving the company if they eventually lose their television contract. With their inability to hit their target numbers, it almost seems like a foregone conclusion...

FEG had plans to hold its fourth televised event on New Year’s Eve. If you’re a fan, I suggest finding a way to watch it. It could be the last time you see mixed martial arts in Japan.

Renzo Gracie Legacy Trailer - Watch more free videos

This is a preview of an upcoming documentary about Renzo Gracie, which I admit I am very eager to see. MMA Payout has an interesting interview with the director of "Renzo Gracie: Legacy" and in it you can hear how Gracie's charisma and magnetism convinced him that a film needed to be made about this man.

Having been around Gracie a good deal during my IFL days, I can certainly relate. And because some of you have claimed an interest in wanting to read some of these IFL tales, I figured Gracie was as good a place as any to start.