Xtreme Kombat League (XKL), which has just received the first license to stage MMA events in Michigan, has announced ambitious plans to revolutionise the sport and take it to an entirely new level on the world sporting stage.
Speaking immediately after receiving the news that XKL had been granted license number 001, Eric Rafiq, President and CEO of XKL, said “This is a truly significant day for MMA. We’ve worked long and hard to reach this stage, and after an incredible amount of preparation, we’re delighted to have made such remarkable progress. This is just the first stage of our strategic plan to take MMA to a whole new level of professionalism and excitement, reaching current and new fans both here in North America and throughout the world.”
Rafiq has been setting trends for MMA since 2001 and has been immersed in the shaping of the sport from its early beginnings. Having come to the conclusion that MMA needs an entirely fresh approach, real commitment and genuine innovation to ensure that it realises its true potential on the global stage, XKL has laid solid foundations for the future of the sport.
“Significantly, what MMA currently lacks is respect as a sport,” said Rafiq. “For far too long, the image of MMA has been built on violence, blood and crude execution. If MMA is to gain global recognition and acceptability, then there has to be a real and immediate change, and we’re determined to be the catalyst for that change.”
“I recently read a comment on a blog that said MMA was for the most part a bunch of garbage served stinking hot, and, typically of the current state of MMA, that many of the bouts are about as good as some bar fights. That kind of image is going to kill the sport, so we’re committed to set new standards and aim to pioneer regulation of the rules and codes, bringing complete integrity and professionalism to MMA for the first time.”
To achieve its objectives, XKL has put together the top people in the industry, and has the top promoters to the best matchmakers on its team - a roster of elite world-class athletes, many of whom are past world champions in their specific martial arts, will compete for real title belts and to prove that they are the best of the best.
XKL has solid support from key sporting industry figures and the endorsement of world famous sports personalities including Laila Ali, Pat Miletich, Thomas Hearns, Emanuel Stewart, Al Low, Dr Weber and Dan Severn. XKL is also committed to serve the local community, and, in line with its commitment to the sport, has pledged a significant contribution of its earnings to charity and community groups.
“It’s time for MMA to earn global respect, recognition and acceptability. To achieve that, I promise the fans that we will deliver real and immediate change,” said Rafiq.
“The XKL team is passionately committed to the sport, and our prime objective is to take it to an enthusiastic global audience, setting new standards and pioneering regulation of the rules and codes, bringing true integrity and professionalism to MMA for the first time. We will develop the future champions of MMA, and ensure their long-term development - XKL’s athletes will receive objective advice that will help them with the long-term development of their MMA careers. It’s a new approach, and one that, in my opinion, is sadly lacking in MMA currently - it’s sad to see that MMA athletes have been shown very little respect up until now, and have almost become throw away commodities, which is bad for the sport - quite simply, the more motivated the contestants, the better they will perform, and as a result, fans will be able to watch bouts that are exciting contests between highly skilled sportsmen at the peak of their abilities.”
