That’s the way financial-backer Chuck Norris positions the fighting league, called the World Combat League.  For those not familiar, it’s similar to the IFL in that there are teams, but what is different is that it takes place in a ring, not a cage, and there is no ground fighting.  Norris has tried to differentiate it from mixed martial arts, making statements such as “Most of our fighters don’t want to get into the ground-and-pound of mixed martial arts, they want to stand up and knock their opponent down.” Norris, who touts martial arts as a positive force in troubled lives, said he hopes the league will appeal to a family audience and carve out a niche for the fighting style that made him famous.

The premise of the league sounds intriguing…

but unfortunately for the WCL, support has been limited. After one season, his team-based karate concept is battling modest viewership and the perception that the stand-up style peaked two decades ago. WCL President Damien Visioli said the league breaks even with television and a second season is scheduled to start in October.

“We’re not making money, but we’re not buying the exposure either,” he said.

To gain viewers, WCL is trying to ride the martial arts wave while distancing itself from other fighting leagues. Norris said WCL fighters practice combat martial arts, not MMA.

We think in the midst of the UFC/MMA craze, the WCL might be the wrong league at the long time but we wish Chuck the best of luck.

October 20th will see Denver Fury vs. Oklahoma Destroyers and the Los Angeles Stars vs Texas Dragons in Denver, CO.

To learn more about the league, click here

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 | File under On Television