In its sophomore season the International Fight League is gearing up for the semifinals after a revealing regular season that saw attendance move upward in some areas and television viewers finally get the message.

Team mixed martial arts actually can draw fans.

“Finally the marathon that was our season is over,” said Kurt Otto, the IFL president. “Our ratings show that close to 3 million people are looking at this.”

Four teams have emerged from the dog pile to battle at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N. J. on Aug. 2: the L.A. Anacondas, Quad Cities Silverbacks, New York Pitbulls, and Tokyo Sabres.

Last year’s champions the Silverbacks return to the playoffs to see if they can repeat and also enact revenge for losing 3-2 on Feb. 2 in the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas.

“We’re not good losers,” said coach Pat Miletich in a media conference call. “Every fight is a new fight for my guys.”

The format consists of five fighters from five different weight classes on each team matched against the opposing team’s selected quintet.

Matching fighters can be a confusing and surprising event for MMA coaches because of the various fighting styles and quirkiness of each athlete. Some MMA fighters like hitting while standing up and others like submission holds.

“It always turns out to be different than you planned. Guys I think will have tough fights come out in 30 seconds,” said Miletich who trains fighters at his Fighting Systems gym. “So many weapons (in MMA). I never try to be Nostradamus in this sport. It’s just too hard to guess any more.”

Last year the Silverbacks faced the same Anacondas who were then coached by Bas Rutten and defeated them 4-1.

It’s a different year and a different coach for the Anacondas now coached by Shawn Tompkins who took the team to the regular season title.

“It’s going to be a hell of a night,” says Tomkins who coaches out of Canada during the off-season. “I truly believe he (Miletich) has one of the best teams not just in the league, but in the world.”

The Silverbacks have Bart Palaszewski (27-8) from Illinois fighting against the Anacondas Adam DiSabato (3-1) out of Columbus, Ohio in the 155-pound division.

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In the 170-pound weight category the Anacondas have Chris Clements (4-1) from Ontario, Canada matched against Rory Markham (11-2) of the Silverbacks.

Silverback Gerald Harris (4-1) of Oklahoma meets Anaconda Benji Radach (15-3) of Florida in the 185-pound category. 

In the 205-pound division the Anacondas toss Alex Schoenauer (12-7) of Las Vegas against Silverback Mike Ciesnolevicz (12-2) who makes Williamstown, Penn. his home.

The Anacondas match Krzystof Soszynski (12-7-1) against Ben Rothwell (22-5) in the 265-pound division fight of the gargantuans.

Otto said two preliminary bouts featuring 170 and 185-pound fighters are also planned.

As the playoffs close in Otto feels the general public and advertisers finally understand the rationale behind the team sport approach to MMA fights.

“Running a league then educating the sponsorships to the world of MMA, the education process must parallel exposing fans to the team sport,” Otto said. “The radical change we’ve made in our sport is an educational process. It’s not just building a league.”

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