Tuesday, January 8, 2008

An Interview with "Woofy", Former IFL Team Mascot

No more Los Angeles Anacondas, no more Quad City Silverbacks, no more Portland Wolfpack. For 2008, the IFL is getting rid of its contrived teams and replacing them with actual team vs. team competition (think: a squad from Xtreme Couture taking on a squad from Team Quest). It sounds like a smart move for the struggling promotion, but MMA Journalist caught up with former New York Pitbulls mascot John L. Millborne, a.k.a. "Woofy", to get his perspective. Sporting a large styrofoam bone and a trumpet that shot confetti, Woofy was a fixture at events whenever the Pitbulls competed. Now he's out of work. How are you? -Good, man. Real good. How do you feel about the IFL getting rid of its original teams? -Well, it was hard to accept at first. I mean, I have student loans and bills to worry about. But business is business, and I don't think the fake teams the brass had thought up in the beginning were really adding any value to the IFL product. Plus, do you have any idea how much it costs to maintain a furry six-foot tall dog costume? Those cleaning expenses were through the roof! Will you miss being Woofy? -Being Woofy was both good and bad. It was good when the Pitbulls won the championship this past year. Andre Gusmao carried me around on his shoulders and I got photos of a ring card girl doing some funny things with my giant styrofoam bone. And the bad? -When Renzo submitted Pat Miletich in Illinois, some angry Miletich fans threw me in a dumpster. Also, I think Ben Rothwell bit me. I'm not sure. Fucker. Sounds like you had a lot of interesting experiences, eh? -You have no idea. And I wouldn't have had them if not for the IFL. Cool. Well, best of luck to you, Woofy. -Thanks, bro.

Eddie Alvarez Signs with EliteXC, Will Fight for M-1 Global, Then Cure Cancer

Former BodogFIGHT champ Eddie Alvarez - one of the most popular East Coast fighters ever - has recently signed with EliteXC, MMA Journalist has learned. Known for his charisma, extremely heavy hands and ability to raise the dead, the Philadelphia native will headline the January 25th ShoXC event at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, squaring off against Hawaiian slugger Ross "Da Boss" Ebanez in a bout that is sure to please the legion of faithful who will no doubt pack the venue. Alvarez will also be fighting for M-1 Global at some future date, EliteXC's notoriously restrictive contracts notwithstanding, and then will either cure cancer or feed thousands with a few loaves of bread and some fish.