The International Fight League (IFL) will be new and improved for 2008. Look for big changes to come in this one of a kind fight league.

The IFL’s main goal will be to re-establish the IFL’s product and mollify some troubles the company has dealt with in the past.

The league will be making several key changes in 2008 to accomplish these goals. Here is a list of the major changes to be made.

• (No more mascot-themed names) The most important and biggest change will be the IFL’s move to a more realistic team camp system. There will no longer be mascot-themed city team names. Instead each team will be identified by their coach. For example, Quad Cities Silverback’s will be called Pat Miletich’s camp. Coaches returning for 08 will include Matt Lindland, Ken Shamrock, Pat Miletich, Marco Ruas, Renzo Gracie, and the one and only Bas Rutten. Coaches leaving are Frank Shamrock, Maurice Smith, Carlos Newton, and Don Frye. New coaches this season will be Ian Freeman and Mario Sperry.
• (Non IFL camps can compete) This year the league will adding a unique twist by allowing camps outside of the IFL to compete against camps within the IFL. This open door policy will allow any camp from around the world to compete as long as they can put together three fighter’s in the specific weight classes needed. For example, if American Top Team wants to go up against a camp in IFL, they can do so in a special event. This is great news for the fans and should pave the way to some awesome match ups in 2008.
• (Location of venues) The IFL will start hosting it’s eight yearly events at three main locations from now on instead of all over the country. Unless there is a special event. the shows will be held at Mohegan Sun, Orleans Arena, and the Izod Center.
• (Every event live) The league has plans to broadcast every single event live. The company is leaving their options open regarding broadcast for the new season though they are still working with Fox Sports Network (FSN) and MyNetwork to air the events.
• (New 145lb weight class) A new featherweight division will be added for 08. The 145 pound weight class will make it’s debut at the Grand Prix on December 29, when Wagnney Fabiano takes on L. C. Davis for the championship belt.
• (Title defense’s every show) At least one title defense will be on the line at every International Fight League event. This should keep things exciting and fresh.

While the league will be implementing some major changes, IFL President Kurt Otto explains that the main objective of the league will stay the same.

"We’re still going to wind up at the end of the year [with] who has the best camp and the best fighting style, and also you’re going to see belts changing hands, so it’s almost like a world grand prix that’s completely diversified throughout the year," Otto said. "Ultimately these moves are all made for the fans and what’s best for the sport, period."