A Very Motivated
Young Lady

It’s four in the afternoon at Hampton, Illinois, and IFL ring girl Lori Tyler is busily working to meet another project deadline.

Don’t let looks fool you: Lori is much more than a pretty face, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design and visual communication. When this belle of MMA isn’t breaking hearts at IFL fight events, she’s nose-down, running her own successful business as a designer.

Born in Illinois, Miss Tyler lived in Iowa for several years before moving back to Illinois, and loves being a part of the Quad-City lifestyle, where she became quite an accomplished model prior to being snapped up by the International Fight League.

“Before the IFL I worked for a couple of other companies: I started out as a ‘Miller Girl’ for Miller’s Lite, doing promotions in the Quad Cities area. Then I was in the Venus Model Search, which is a swimwear company. That lead to my being in Muscle and Fitness magazine in March 2003, and later doing work for PowerTan,” says Miss Tyler.

“My big break came by my being on the cover of the Babes 2004 calendar. Some of the people from Playboy saw it and I was flown out to The Mansion (Hugh Hefner’s) a week later, where I did a test shoot for Playmate. It was fun – Hugh is a really sweet, intriguing guy.

“From there I became what is called a Playboy ‘Cyber Girl’, which entails doing a photographic spread featured on Playboy.com, as well as working promotional events for the company, such as my going to an upcoming Chicago Blackhawks game on December 1st, where I’ll be participating in the ‘Shoot the Puck’ promotion between periods – making an appearance in my capacity as a Playboy ‘Cyber Girl’.

Lori has also been featured in various advertisements and catalogues for clothing and other merchandise in the Playboy magazine. When Miss Tyler does manage to call ‘time out’ from her hectic graphic design and modeling careers, she’s likely to be sailing upstream or maintaining her streamlined figure.

“I love boating: I’m right here on the Mississippi. I enjoy working cardio and lifting weights – which I do four times a week. I also love children – although I don’t have any of my own… and I love animals, which is partially why I’m a vegetarian.”

Lori, what’s it like working with Emily?

“Oh, Emily… in a nutshell, we just have fun together. She’s smart, beautiful, talented, and funny… We laugh, and we both have our passion for watching MMA. I guess that’s where we’re different from other ring girls: We’re not just hired models – we both very much enjoy the sport. When we’re watching the fights, we’re on the edge of our seat and clinching hands together.

“And during out downtime at events, we hang out – whether we’re working out, grabbing a bite to eat, or shopping at a nearby mall; whatever we do, we always stick together.

“We actually met through Tim Sylvia. Pat Miletich recommended me to the IFL because he’s a friend of mine here, and he told me to submit my pictures to them. The first show I did was not with Emily, but with a hired model. But then Tim Sylvia recommended Emily, and I got to work with her. We just clicked, and the IFL liked the look of us together.

“With Pat and Tim being fighters, you’d expect them to be big, tough guys, but you talk to them personally and they’re so down to earth and gentle.”

How big have the crowds been that you’ve worked?

“As each event has occurred they have consistently grown. The arenas in this first 2006 season are probably holding a little less than ten thousand. But let me tell you something about our last Portland event on November 2nd that was very impressive: The IFL is different to other MMA entities because, among other things, we have teams.

“So, during the third fight between the hometown Wolfpack and the rival Anacondas, the crowd started cheering, ‘Wolfpack, Wolfpack.’ And I thought: ‘Look at this – they’re recognizing the IFL and its team concept’. The fans were really partaking in our league.”

So the people got right behind their home team?

“Oh they did. Even in Moline when Pat fought in the Superfight, and with the entire Silverbacks team, they got a ton of support. It gives you an incredible and unexplainable feeling.”

Do you and Emily work the crowds?

“Well, they probably work us more than we work them: They’re always whistling or screaming ‘Sexy’ at us, or whatever, which effortlessly generates a big smile on my face. My mission is simply to walk around the ring and boost the crowd’s enthusiasm, but somehow they habitually boost mine. But Emily and I have the easy job; the fighters have the tough job.

“A lot of the fans will come down during the fights and want to get pictures with us, and we always welcome that. It makes us feel really special that they desire to do so.”

Do you have silver-screen aspirations?

“No, my passion is in my creative work. I love my job; I’m actually going into the sixth year of running my own business, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Of course, if I were asked to do something like that, I probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity. But I definitely stay busy enough with my different modeling jobs and being conscientious about my design work.”

What has been the response from your family and friends?

“Very supportive. They think it’s great. Especially here in my hometown with Pat’s presence, and Matt Hughes and Tim… There’s just a huge following of MMA. So for me to be doing this, I do get a lot of recognition and praise.”
 
Lori, is there anything you’d like to add?

“The IFL is definitely doing a wonderful thing in creating new avenues and opportunities for the MMA sport and its athletes. I thoroughly enjoy working for the organization and am very grateful for the opportunity to represent the IFL as one of its ring girls.”