Australia’s newest fight boss has unveiled his bold plan to follow Peter V’landys into Las Vegas, and says a crew of American fighters, including with UFC experience, have already reached out to help build his “brawling” empire.
Less than a year after launching his International Brawling Championship, Gold Coast entrepreneur Danny Mac has told Fox Sports Australia he now plans to have a show in the world’s fight capital before the end of 2026.
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Better, the IBC boss says he has also been inundated with resumes from interested US fighters.
Likened to UFC without wrestling, the exciting new league includes several unique elements like shorter rounds, penalising fighters who ‘run’ and even The Final Stand – an intense, all-action component inspired by the iconic UFC 300 finish of Hawaiian legend Max Holloway.
Already, there have been two IBC shows in Australia with a third now taking place on the Gold Coast, Saturday, March 7.
From there, Mac plans to take his travelling fight roadshow to Melbourne in April, New Zealand by July, and insists he can host a blockbuster show somewhere in Las Vegas before the year is out.
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The promoter says he is keen to build off the NRL’s success in Las Vegas, with rugby league’s third straight season opener set to be held in the city this weekend.
“And now we’re ready to follow the NRL into Las Vegas,” Mac said.
“Two years ago, who would’ve thought rugby league would be at Allegiant Stadium?
“But look at everything happening there again this week.
“And that’s where we want our first US show to be.
“Las Vegas … that’s the dream.
“And we’re hoping to be there by the end of this year.
“We’ve already got eight broadcast partners in the United States, and we’re continually collecting and collating data around where the best place will be for us to land with that first show.
“And already we’ve seen the NRL put its stamp on that city and now we think the IBC can do exactly the same.
“Of course, we know there will be doubters there.
“But I’m ready to prove them wrong.
“In terms of shows this year alone, we’re looking to go Melbourne, New Zealand, Sydney and then Las Vegas at the end of the year.”
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Mac said he also has some recognizable strikers keen to take part in his Las Vegas debut.
“I’ve had 25 applications from American fighters already,” he said. “And I’m talking about guys who’ve fought in the UFC, guys who fought in BKFC … I’m talking high level fighters.”
Elsewhere, the promoter stressed there was one simple reason his concept is going to increasingly prove a hit with fight fans.
“We’re not f***ing boring,” he said.
“Last show, we had 11 fights – there were nine involved knockouts and a doctor’s stoppage.
“Only one fight went to decision.
“Every one of our fights is jam packed with action and that’s what people want to see.
“There’s also mounting evidence to suggest people are looking for more from their fight sports, but find what happens in bareknuckle a little too much.
“That’s where we come in.
“Our promotions are all about the fights, all about the action.
“I’m always stressing that we don’t want to be boxing — we want to be better.
“And this isn’t a shot at anyone.
“But we’re coming after it.”
Having already been billed as Australia’s answer to Dana White, Mac is now vowing to do for brawling what the UFC boss has already done with an MMA empire worth in excess of $15 billion.
Eventually, the IBC founder plans to host six events annually – split between Australia and the rest of the world – and has outed Aussie UFC stars Rob Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa as targets.
Plans are also underway for an ‘Anzac Showdown’ between the best fighters from Australia and New Zealand in April, with the promotion also looking to sign up an elite group of NRL toughs and various other crossover fighters.
While eventually planning to build a global roster similar to White’s UFC, the IBC initially plans to create an Australian team that will then travel to take on opponents from around the globe, with a World Cup-style event also being discussed.
When it comes to the television component, Mac has already secured a deal with 14 broadcasters – including Australia’s Main Event and Kayo Sports.
The promoter is convinced he can also make national names of several young fighters who have been competing in backyard events, and says there is no limit to the size of purses that will eventually be offered to his biggest stars.
In the IBC, each bout features four, two-minute rounds.
Just like the UFC, fighters wear four-ounce gloves however compete exclusively with stand-up striking.
There is no wrestling, no knees, no elbows.
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The action also unfolds inside a square cage designed specifically by Mac, and measuring only five metres by five metres, to ensure constant engagement.
Like with professional boxing and most MMA promotions, every round is scored via the traditional 10-9 must system. However in a unique twist, the judging criteria also states a fighter cannot score while punching off the back foot, but only when either moving forward or standing their ground.
There is also a unique opportunity for fighters, from the second round on, to point down at a diamond painted on the canvas.
If both fighters agree, time then pauses, the arena gets blacked out, and a light shines down onto the diamond, with the two fighters instructed to brawl.
They then until either a fighter steps out of the diamond, losing a point, or someone goes and gets finished.
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