It has to be outside of the MA.
Furball island takes away from the point of the MA. People fighting in the MA should be focused on the war. Players like me like to furball, but its actually doing something for their team if its furballing for defense or to help your team attack a base. Furball islands do nothing for the war strategy of the game. Now what I think works better is for 3 teams to meet in the middle or somewhere so that all sides can fight against each other. This is similar to a furball island but not as pronounced. I feel when one team is left out of the battle, that's when #s get really low for that side. When one side can reach the big fight on the other side of the river, this allows those fighters to be able to find action. I've noticed that most players just don't like to spend 15 minutes to attack a base only, die, rinse and repeat. They need 4-5 players to fight against while they are attacking a base. I still maintain that the majority of people who try/play AH want fighter combat. When it takes too long to find that, or there is no fight on their side, they will log off.
Making a fighter bowl outside of the MA reduces alt monkey vets in temps and 262s, gives people a place other than the MA to goof around that's non scored, and would be more beneficial for new players to learn how to fight at a quicker pace. Its something to relieve the pressure of the big MA and creates something a little more simple for new players to quickly find fighter combat. Yes, good vets would go in there from time to time, but generally most of them would stay in the MA. Everyone is at a different level anyway, so it would all balance out. It would offer a better opportunity for vets to teach new guys in this arena they are fighting. In the big MA, there is not, if any, communication with new guys and it's not as personal. You kill the red guy and go. In a fighter bowl, vets will reach out much easier and be able to help guys they are fighting.