Inoki Genome Federation
 |
|
| Acronym | IGF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Style |
Mixed martial arts Professional wrestling Shoot wrestling |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Founder(s) | Antonio Inoki |
| Owner(s) | Antonio Inoki |
| Website | Official Site of Inoki Genome Federation |
| IGF Championship | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Promotion | Inoki Genome Federation |
| Current champion(s) | Oli Thompson |
| Date won | December 31, 2015 |
Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) is a mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007.
Antonio Inoki left New Japan Pro Wrestling, a promotion he founded in 1972, to start the IGF. The first IGF show was held on June 29, 2007 at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The card was completely changed at the last minute, resulting in the 8,426 fans in attendance not knowing who or what they were going to see outside of the main event of Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar.
Shinichi Suzukawa was scheduled to face Bob Sapp in an IGF special rules Heavyweight bout on December 31, 2010, at K-1 Dynamite!! 2010. The fight was to be held under MMA rules, but the fighters wouldn't be wearing gloves. Closed-fist strikes would have been allowed, but palm strikes wouldn't have been permitted. The event was to air on HDNet in North America. However, the fight was canceled due to a last-minute contract dispute but the Japanese audience in attendance were told by the promoter involved in the contract dispute that Sapp “had lost his will to fight.” In 2011 the company presented a gift to Kim Jong Il, leader of North Korea as part of a diplomatic effort. In August 2014, IGF held two shows in Pyongyang, North Korea.
On December 29, 2014, IGF announced a deal with PPTV to bring its programming to Chinese audiences.
In February 2011, IGF started a tournament to determine the first ever IGF Champion, which eventually led to a final match between Jérôme Le Banner and Josh Barnett. However, just days prior to the final match taking place, IGF announced on August 19 that Barnett would not be able to attend the event. On August 22, IGF declared Le Banner the first champion. The title was founded as a professional wrestling championship, but has since December 31, 2013, been contested in legitimate mixed martial arts fights.
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