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Broken bones? Blood? Swollen-shut eyes? Yes, please! Since the dawn of time, man has been fascinated with organized violence. Whether it’s cheering on the gladiators of Rome or the gridiron gladiators of the NFL, we’re more than eager to pay good money to watch people beat the tar out of each other. In the past few years, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has replaced boxing as America’s pugilism du jour. However, it has endured some criticism for its sometimes over-the-top brutality. The International Fight League (IFL) offers an alternative that is “more sport than spectacle,” according to IFL founder Kurt Otto.
By outlawing the use of elbows, which are prevalent in other MMA formats, and pitting teams instead of individuals against each other, the IFL is a “unique concept, what we call true MMA,” says Otto. “The team format allows these professional fighters to concentrate on training and technique instead of hype and self-promotion,” he adds. The team camaraderie is evident at IFL events; each group is trained by legendary professionals of the sport. See for yourself tonight, when the International Fight League championship pits the defending champions, Quad City Silverbacks, coached by Pat Miletich, against the New York Pitbulls, led by Renzo Gracie. Get ready to rumble at 7:30 at the Hard Rock Live. Tickets range from $50 to $200. Call 305-358-5885, or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Thu., Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
