The Triangle Choke: Independent Fight League
ProFighting-Fans.com Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden spoke with IFL (Independent Fight League) owner Mike Wick to discuss what he has in store and the big announcement regarding the location of his next event.
SD - Speak about the August 21st event and if it lived up to your expectations.
MW - As a promoter, I wanted to make sure as you walked into the IFL venue at the Western Hills Sports Mall you felt the vibe and high energy that the lights, sound and fighters sent!
As far as my expectations, Scott, as much as I would love to say it lived up to my expectations, I always want more from our production team! The lights, sound, smoke and big screens, live pay/views are just a fraction of what I want! I want each spectator, fan, fighter and our crew to turn around at the end of the evening and say “DAMN, that was The Show!”
Although you know your on the right path when for weeks after the fight, I still got calls from the fighters and fans complimenting us on the trophies the fighter entrance and the Big Screens! But all I can say, is in the end, these fighters deserve every minute of the fame and glory they may feel stepping into that cage, and I will continue to provide this –they are Actual Fighters and sometimes I think a lot of promoters forget this
SD - The main event had quite a spectacular ending. Talk about the match-up that ensued from that.
MW - Man, Scott both these boys are beasts in the cage….and that’s all I can say, except you know Fred took the fight last minute because the commission would not let Bobby, from Lockland o/o match-up with Chris Smith from Vision 3/0. There was a lot of drama and from this Chris and Bobby have a thing going on. They have both asked me to get the match and Ohio has approved it. This is sure to be freaking HUGE!
SD - Big news on the way - The Fight Club is resurrected! Talk about the venue and what that is going to mean to the fans.
MW - Scott, I cannot tell you the enthusiasm that is coming from the crew and fans of the IFL in the resurrection of the fight club! It is the ultimate place for an IFL venue! It has an underground feel and energy unlike any event we have ever seen, it will definitely speak for itself!
I also have to let the cat’s head out of the bag for the November fight, “Armageddon” it will be a event no one should miss! We have our first Title fight; which I can’t release these names just yet but be on the look out! Also, since August 21st fight, a small “Vengeance” was created from Team Vision vs Lockland Corner gym. This has created a lot of spark in the fighters from both gyms and these fights will be Explosive! Needless to say, we may have to have two separate training rooms in two different states!
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SD - How often do you plan on having events there?
MW - As of right now we plan to have 3 events scheduled so far for this upcoming year at The IFL Fight Club. But this doesn’t mean the IFL won’t be popping up in other Cincinnati places. We do have others outdoor venues for 2011
SD - Thanks Mike - anything else you want to add?
MW - Our production & marketing team is in full force to come up with more creative ideas to blow the roof off of each venue we put together. We work very hard on making sure that the Fighters have fun as well as the fan that attend. You can expect to see big things in the future. And at last, I would like to thank our sponsors, BMBA Signs, Actual Fighter, Avalon & Cheviot Sports Tavern our promotions & marketing crew, and especially the fighters for their continued support through all of our events!
By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief
Follow Scott Dryden on Twitter @scottdryden