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MORE THAN 150 HOPEFULS PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUT FOR KEN SHAMROCK'S INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE (IFL) 2007 LIONS TEAM

Press Release from The IFL

Photos by Mike Renouard and Mike Rhine


Talented Athletes From Across USA On Hand;

Team To Be Determined In Coming Weeks


RENO, Nev., November 29, 2006 -
The International Fight League, the world's first

team-based professional mixed martial arts league, and MMA legend Ken Shamrock,

head coach of the new Nevada-based Lions team, today conducted an open tryout,

with more than 150 athletes vying for spots on his eight-member 2007 squad. The event,

held at the Stadium Sport and Fitness Club lasted more than six hours, with athletes at all

five official weight classes going through numerous drills and sparring in several

mixed martial arts disciplines.

 

Ken Shamrock with IFL Commissioner Kurt Otto - Portland Nov 2nd


"I was impressed with not only the depth of talent in the attendees, but also with how many

of the guys showed the desire and ability to learn and work within the team framework,"

said Shamrock. "Skills and talent are important, but I'm looking for those guys that will

be willing to do the things that make a team successful, while knowing that they can be

the best and aren't afraid to go out and prove it. I saw a lot of that in the gym today."


Shamrock will be reviewing the grades and notes he and his coaches took on each athlete,

 as well as video of the session. He noted that he would be determining his roster in

"about a week or two."


While many of the athletes came from as far away as Honolulu and Harrisburg, Pa.,

several of the Reno-based contenders also impressed. "B" Niimi, 33, got a long look,

continuing to be called late into the lightweight division drills, and was excited for the chance

to test his mettle against top competition. "This was a great opportunity to come out and

train with some of the top fighters in the world," he noted. "It was a fun thing to do."


Shamrock met with athletes at each weight class, first giving a synopsis of how the tryout

would be conducted, then emphasizing the importance he placed on teamwork and always

working hard in determining the best candidates for him. That was not lost on veteran MMA

athletes like John Gunderson, 27, of Medford, Ore., or relative newcomers to the sport like

Herbert Goodman, 29, of Green Bay, Wis., a former running back for the NFL's Packers.


"Training under Ken Shamrock was exceptional because he is one of the icons of this sport,"

said Gunderson. "The training was stern and he definitely wanted us to work hard.

I think that's what attracted so many elite guys to an event like this."

 

 

Gunderson Winning DesertBrawl's Pro Lightweight Belt - April '06

See our interview with Gunderson in NW FightScene ISSUE ONE


Goodman concurred. "[Shamrock] brings so much experience, he instills such confidence, you

know he can mold you into the kind of fighter he wants, and that it will bring out the best in you."


Shamrock will select five starters and three alternates to complete the Lions squad. He

indicated that spots will be contested each year at similar tryouts, with those surviving the

tryouts going up against the incumbent Lions for spots on the team the following year.


Shamrock's Lions, competing for the first time as one of 12 IFL teams competing in the

2007 season, will open on January 19 at the ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif., with a match

against his brother Frank Shamrock's Razorclaws, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Each IFL team will

compete in three matches during the regular season (January through June); the four with

the best records advancing to the postseason (August, September).


About the IFL
International Fight League
(IFL) is the world's first professional mixed martial arts sports league. IFL has its headquarters in New York, NY and offices in Las Vegas, NV. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv

Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and IFL's management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future financial condition, and results of operations. There can be no assurance that future developments actually affecting IFL will be those anticipated.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ (favorably or unfavorably) from the expectations stated in this release include the risks and uncertainties such as the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; effects of competition, including locations of competitors and operating and market competition.. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. 

IFL undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. This press release may include the opinions of IFL and does not necessarily include the views of any other person or entity.

The names of all International Fight League, Inc. televised and live programming, teams, images, and logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of International Fight League, Inc. All other trademarks and tradenames mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners, and are not affiliated with IFL in any way.


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