[hohner]

The main criticism that most Sherdog posters had about the IFL going into this first event seemed to be the quick rounds and shorter overall fight times. With four of the first five matches ending before the final bell does this ease some peoples minds? I know I was worried about a ton of decisions but it seems that at least so far this hasn't been a problem.

[CrstlSnail]

It's hard to make a case for 4-minute rounds when the standard is 15- to 20-minutes for non-title fights. Any deviation from the norm is fair grounds for criticism. They're selling this product to us, the consumer, after all. The IFL used to feature 9-minute fights... definitely, most people criticized the IFL on those grounds, and rightfully so. The IFL added one extra minute to make the rounds four minutes a piece, but I think it's fair to say that most people still believe in the 5-5-5 or 10-5 round systems.

We've yet to see the four-minute rounds cause problems in the IFL, but the inaugural IFL event isn't even completed. One less minute means less time to work for submissions, and less time for a ground fighter to establish their bases. We've seen submissions in the UFC occuring just barely at the 5-minute mark, such as Penn-Hughes and Hughes-St. Pierre. I'd prefer five-minute rounds over four-minute rounds. You go any further, and they begin to feel like boxing rounds.

[colinm]

its only the first event...personally, i like longer rounds for mma. i think 5 minute rounds are even too short.

[jar3ds]

i have mixed feelings... long rounds do keep fighters thinking they need to save energy... with the short rounds the fights end much faster I feel because they're willing to let it all hang out...


however the the 10x5x5 structure helps keep rest periods but more realistic fighting...

[flyingknee16]

4 minute rounds are too short

[nevermind7ed]

I prefer 5, 10 min rounds. It alows more strategy, and allows the fighters get in their game, rather than puch to try something before it is time.

The 4 minute rounds, though, were supposed to help puch the action, and they seem to do that. Action is always nice