It's a new era for two particular combat sports organizations; Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and Ice Wars International are joining forces to re-imagine an already entertaining sport, by announcing a partnership in the form of BKFC Ice Wars on Thursday. This sees Charlie Nama's Ice Fighting startup make the next step forward, securing a proven partner to amplify his already-growing promotion.
Coined "MMA on Ice", Ice Wars International has hosted 3 Ice Fighting events since 2022, two of which were held at the River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, Alberta Canada, and 1 in Cheyenne, Wyoming USA at Outlaw Saloon. In joining the BKFC umbrella, 2 events are already scheduled for June, with 6 potential events incoming for 2025 and 24 planned for 2026. Needless to say, BKFC believes in what Nama is building and they are willing to give this league and sport the boost it truly deserves.
Professional Ice Fighting in North America offically returns on June 14th, 2025 in Michigan USA at Soaring Eagle Resort and Casino, billed the "Battle Of The Border" amid current political strife between the two nations. In speaking to fighters that have appeared in past Ice Wars events, this next chapter is building excitement, and fast. Many potential fighters have shared the event posters on social media, such as Justyce "Haymaker" Smoke, a veteran that appeared in all 3 of the previous Ice Wars contests under Ice Wars International. "Knowing that BKFC is the 2nd biggest combat sports company in the world and that they are on the verge of being the best or most viewed company in the world, I think this is going to bring it (Ice Wars) to the next level", claims Smoke.
While "The Haymaker" is hoping to return to the Ice Wars circuit for mid-June, yesterday's announcements saw the official return of AJ Galante, of Netflix notoriety for his role with the former UHL Danbury Trashers. AJ has reinvented himself as a boxing promoter and manager since his Trashers days, his latest experience being a front office role with the FPHL Danbury Hat Tricks after some time with Ice Wars International. AJ was not with the promotion through their latest event, Ice Wars 3, but it appears that AJ's track record through Ice Wars 1 and 2 was too hard to ignore in order to create a successful event #4, reuniting a winning combination in Nama and Galante under the new BKFC Ice Wars brand. Expect an enhanced, balanced yet powerful roster with AJ back in the fold, a successful promoter and scout of his own that previously provided a healthy mix of veterans and rookies to the Ice Box, many of which that are still training today, with a much-anticipited return to action in Michigan upcoming for fans and fighters alike.
Speaking of returns, BKFC Ice Wars will be coming to the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta on June 28th 2025, their third event in the Edmonton area overall and, potentially, the biggest. BKFC is very familiar with The Venue at River Cree, so the recent announcement just feels right. While a path still exists for the Greater Edmonton Area to be called "Home Of Ice Wars", BKFC brings an international presence that Ice Wars needs in order to grow in a sustainable fashion. We've seen hometown fighters such as Blake Anderson and Bo Cornell test their might in The Ice Box right here in Edmonton, amongst many other Albertans, Canadians and Americans. BKFC's brand will surely infuse more notice, engagement and talent to the budding Ice Wars brand, boosting both promotions under the new BKFC Ice Wars moniker.
With 24 events potentially scheduled for 2026, BKFC Ice Wars is evolving in a way that fans have always hoped for. Ice Fighting is becoming popular all around the world as an international sport, and as the NHL sees decreased fight time year after year, the sport called Ice Fighting has become an outlet that millions of fans enjoy and need. Whether it be on Social Media or the news, people can't get enough of this sport, and BKFC Ice Wars can't wait to deliver their new look on June 14th, just under 3 months away.
Stay Tuned to Shotgun Sports Network for more BKFC Ice Wars coverage as we get closer to the first event of 2025!