On-ice hockey fights without the hockey

BKFC Ice Wars is the most recent addition to the combat sports rolodex.

On Wednesday, BKFC announced it has purchased stake in Ice Wars, an on-ice league that has promoted hockey-esque fights since 2022. The promotions will mix for an inaugural BKFC Ice Wars event on June 14 at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Nice, Mich. The second event will happen north of the border at River Cree Casino & Resort in Enoch, Alberta, Canada.

The events shall be “legal, sanctioned, and controlled” in line with BKFC.

Fights will happen in what the promotion is looking “The Ice Box,” a 900-square foot ice enclosure designed specifically for ice fighting. Fighters will wear hockey equipment and four-ounce MMA gloves.

Each bout shall be between three and five rounds, of 90-seconds each with one-minute breaks in between.

“We’ve been watching what the team at Ice Wars has been constructing, and it’s been incredible to see the passionate response they’ve received from audiences,” said David Feldman, Founder and President of BKFC said in a written statement Wednesday. “Their vision and energy align perfectly with what we do at BKFC—bringing raw, high-adrenaline combat sports to fans in a way they’ve never seen before. Partnering with them to create BKFC Ice Wars was a simple decision, and we’re excited to take this to the following level together.”

There shall be two linesman-esque referees readily available to officiate each fight with three judges scoring the contests.

“Judges shall evaluate the bout based on effective striking (Plan A), effective aggressiveness (Plan B), and control of the fighting area (Plan C),” in line with the promotion. “Plans B and C are only considered if Plan A is weighed as being even. Effective striking is judged by determining the impact/effect of legal strikes landed by a fighter solely based on the outcomes of such legal strikes. Effective aggressiveness means aggressively making attempts to complete the fight. Fighting area control is assessed by determining who’s dictating the pace, place and position of the bout.”

The promotion says it’s shooting for six events in 2025, then as many as 24 in 2026. Steaming info shall be announced in the approaching weeks.

4 weight classes will exist for ice fighting.

Heavyweight: Over 200 kilos
Cruiserweight: 175 to 200 kilos
Middleweight: 150 to 170 kilos
Lightweight: Under 150 kilos

“Partnering with BKFC is a game-changer for Ice Wars,” said BKFC Ice Wars CEO Charlie Nama said in a written statement. “BKFC’s backing gives us the platform and resources to bring our sport to the world stage, making a recent frontier in combat sports. This isn’t only a partnership – it’s the fusion of two high-energy, no-holds-barred fight disciplines into one powerhouse league. Our first event is just the start, and we’re constructing something that can redefine international prizefighting competition and entertainment.”

Take a look at a clip of Ice Wars below, from before its partnership with BKFC.