Super Fight League (SFL) is an India based organisation that promotes mixed martial arts (MMM) in the country. Celebrity entrepreneur and IPL cricket team owner Raj Kundra and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt took the initiative to form the organization in 2012.
Super Fight League (SFL) is the first MMA promotion based in India. SFL events are screened in various television channels including Colors, Neo Prime and ESPN Star Sports. Presently, it is sponsored by PACL India Limited (Pearls) and thus officially known as Pearls Super Fight League. The actor Sanjay Dutt and British Indian businessperson Raj Kundra formed super Fight League in 2012. Its intent is giving Indian Mixed martial artists a platform to compete and grow in its home country whilst bringing in talented fighters from different parts of the world.
History of Super Fight League
Raj Kundra and Dutt founded this association with the aim of providing Indian mixed martial artists a platform to compete and grow in its home country whilst bringing in talented fighters from different parts of the world. The first event was launched on 11th March, 2012, which was headlined by Bob `The Beast` Sapp and James `The Colossus` Thompson.
On 1st January of 2012, Ken Pavia was named CEO of the Super Fight League. In the same year, on 27th February, the SFL announced that they had signed Todd Duffee, Trevor Prangley, Baga Agaev, Paul Kelly, Xavier Foupa-Pokam and Lena Ovchynnikova to four fight exclusive contracts. Then on 23rd June, it was declared that they had signed Jeff Monson, Satoshi Ishii, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, and Michael Page. In September 2012 Pavia resigned from the position of CEO citing family issues.
On 24th September, 2012, three announcements were made by the Super Fight League (SFL). The first announcement was a strategic alliance between themselves and Invicta Fighting Championships, which intents to bring the best Indian female fighters to Invicta, whilst Invicta will aim to send world class female mixed martial artists to the Super Fight League. The second announcement was the Friday Night Fight Nights and the final was introducing Indian Olympic Female Boxing Bronze Medalist Mary Kom as the Super Fight League`s brand ambassador.
In the beginning of the year 2013, the Super Fight League partnered with Indian news outlet DNA to encourage female to step into martial arts. Also, they ran self-defence courses throughout Mumbai during mid-January as a result from the 2012 Delhi gang rape case that happened just weeks prior.
Super Fight League (SFL) signed a new TV deal with ESPN Star Sport in India for all events to be screened live for the next five years.
Games of Super Fight League
SFL Challengers and Fantasy Game are the two reality shows organised by the team. The SFL Challengers which is similar to "Ultimate Fighter" was first aired on August 5. The winner of the inaugural season was Kario Isaac Maheo and Manjit Kolekar.
The Super Fight League (SFL) MMA Fantasy game is a simple game where the fans can participate. In this game, the fans can play each week predicting the outcome of every fight.
Rules of Super Fight League
The present rules of Super Fight League (SFL) are based upon the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts that were originally established by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board and modified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Cage used in Super Fight League
A circular cage of chain-link fence, which has been coated in black vinyl, is used in Super Fight League. The structure is called `O`Zone. The cage is 30 feet in diameter and sits atop a 4 feet platform. The height of the fence varies between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches. The cage is designed with two gates on opposite sides to enable people to enter and leave the cage.