Danny Mac Says IBC Is “Not A Fad” As International Brawling Championship Builds Momentum

“The best part is that you're starting to hear that there's actual gyms now that are putting IBC time slots in their schedules,” Mac said.

“That’s the good part. Now people are starting to take it serious. They understand we’re not a fad. We’re not a one and done.”

IBC has quickly found an audience by offering a stripped-back, high-action format built around stand-up exchanges, MMA gloves and limited room for fighters to avoid engagement. For MMA fans, the appeal is obvious: it is essentially the part of the sport many casual viewers love most, delivered without the threat of wrestling or grappling slowing the action down.

Mac said the promotion is not trying to compete directly with MMA or boxing, but instead create another pathway for fighters who thrive in striking-heavy contests.

“I’m not here to try and beat MMA or be boxing,” he said.

“If anything, they should be embracing it and sending the guys that can’t make it in those worlds over to us.”

IBC’s fourth show is set to feature several names familiar to Australian combat sports fans, including former Road to UFC competitor Aaron Tau and boxing standout Isaac Hardman.

Mac said Tau’s addition to the card was one of the matchups he was most proud of putting together, describing it as a sign that fighters with higher profiles are beginning to trust the promotion.

“I think this style suits him,” Mac said of Aaron Tau.

“He said it was a good resurrection for his career that fell short at the UFC. I think it’s given him the opportunity to be exactly what he’s good at, and that’s being a banger.”

The rise of IBC has not come without tension. Mac said the bigger the brand gets, the more resistance it faces from parts of the wider combat sports scene.

According to Mac, fighter pay is not the biggest obstacle in attracting talent. Instead, he believes the main issue is gatekeeping from existing promotions and combat sports structures.

“The money is not really the issue,” he said.

“The issue is the gatekeeping that we’re copying from other promotions and sports.”

Still, Mac said the promotion’s growth is making that harder to ignore.

“Our brand’s only getting bigger. People are starting to see that. So they’re coming over because the exposure is second to none, as well as the excitement of it.”

Mac also said IBC is beginning to look at fighter contracts now that the promotion can forecast its schedule further ahead.

While he said he did not want to restrict fighters in the early stages, he believes the business has now reached a point where it can offer fighters a clearer yearly pathway.

“Now that we can sort of sit down and navigate and go, right, you’re going to make X this year, you’re going to do this many fights, this many shows, that’s why we’ll start now locking them in and keeping them with us,” Mac said.

The July 15 show will take place at SOPO Southport, with doors opening at 6pm and fights beginning at 7pm.

Mac said fans sitting on the fence should expect a fast-paced, high-energy product.

“Don’t miss out on the best combat sport they’ve ever watched,” he said.

Watch the full Australian MMA Podcast interview with Danny Mac to hear more on IBC’s rise, Aaron Tau joining the card, Isaac Hardman’s role in the promotion, fighter contracts, expansion plans and why Mac believes IBC is only just getting started.

Visit their website here: https://www.internationalbrawling.com/

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