IFL Houston All Access Day 1

by: DarthMolen 1 year, 10 months, 22 hours, 54 minutes ago 2

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We arrived early morning, 10:30, and set up our camera. Jerry Milani shuttled us immediately to the 20th floor where they had set up two separate professional studios. One for still photography and the other for action video and interviews. There wasn't much space left so Komikazee was placed in a corner in the hall and allowed to set up shop.

We were right outside the video interview room and as the fighters were exiting their official IFL interviews, we would snag them and have them sit down with Komikazee. Unfortunately, we forgot our tripod so we made do with 2 big Dale & Thomas popcorn shipping boxes and the camera case. Talk about fly-by-night.

In spite of our technical difficulties, we were able to grab Matt Lindland, Pat Miletich, Bart Paleszewski (pronounced pal-a-shev-ski), Ryan McGivern, Stephen Quadros, and Benji Radach. Talk about a cornicopia of talent!

When Komikazee wasn't interviewing, we were observing and gathering some great esoteric information.

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Ben Rothwell, Mike C., Ryan McGivern, and Pat Miletich were all sitting together. They were talking and someone let one rip. I thought it was Pat but I didn't say anything out of respect for the man. Pat then turned to Ryan and said, "Man, I hurt my finger, pull it for me". Ryan obliged and Pat let the mother of all flatulence fly. They then all busted into raucous laughter and we scattered because the hall was fumigated. Yes, the oldest joke in the book is alive and well.

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There was a cosmetic show in an adjoining conference room and every time one of the ladies would pass by, the conversation would come to a dead halt and the heads would turn to follow. As soon as the lady was gone from site, the conversation would continue as normal. This happened a number of times.

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Even with all the organization that the IFL exhibited, there were still minor snafu's. They were changing uniforms this year and were taking stills with their new duds. Well, the shorts didn't arrive until the afternoon so their one studio was idle a full half day waiting for the delivery. Talk about stressful for the IFL reps.

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The neighboring cosmetic group had a couple guys batting for the opposite team and it made an interesting dichotomy as they lounged in the same hall as the fighters while waiting for their interviews.

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I would just like to personally thank all the fighters that took the time to talk with the Komikazee Nation and especially Jerry Milani. His crew was highly organized, quite efficient, and Komikazee thanks them for the unique experience so far.

We aren't done yet. Stay tuned for the rest of our All-Access IFL pass. Day 2 will entail the weigh-ins and more interviews. Day 3 will be the fights themselves and all the craziness that ensues thereafter.