BKFC Ice Wars set for launch in June featuring ‘legal, sanctioned and regulated hockey fights’

BKFC helped make bare-knuckle fighting a mainstream sport and now the promotion aims to take hockey fights to the next level with the launch of BKFC Ice Wars.

The promotion announced on Wednesday that it has officially invested in a new league founded by BKFC executive Charlie Nama that “pits fighters from around the world against each other on a sheet of ice.”

Yes, BKFC Ice Wars is going to promote “legal, sanctioned and regulated hockey fights” that take place in “The Ice Box” — a 900-square foot ice enclosure designed specifically for ice fighting.

“We’ve been watching what the team at Ice Wars has been building, and it’s been incredible to see the passionate response they’ve received from audiences,” BKFC president and founder David Feldman said in a press release. “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 an easy decision, and we’re excited to take this to the next level together.”

The first BKFC Ice Wars event is already scheduled for June 14 at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. with a second card set for June 28 at River Cree Casino & Resort in Enoch, Alberta, Canada.

BKFC Ice Wars is expected to launch with at least six events in 2025 and then expand to as many as 24 events in 2026.

BKFC Ice Wars even has its own set of rules and regulations for the upcoming fights that start in June:

Length and amount of rounds:

Each bout shall be at least three (3) rounds with a maximum of five (5) rounds. Each round shall be no more than ninety (90) seconds in length, with one (1) minute rest periods between rounds.

2 referees - one of which acts as lead referee and sole arbiter

3 judges - if the fight goes the distance, the bout will be scored in its entirety (not round by round).

Scoring Criteria:

Judges shall evaluate the bout based on effective striking (Plan A), effective aggressiveness (Plan B), and control of the fighting area (Plan C). Plans B and C are only taken into consideration 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 results of such legal strikes. Effective aggressiveness means aggressively making attempts to finish the fight. Fighting area control is assessed by determining who is dictating the pace, place and position of the bout.

Weight Classes:

Heavyweight (over 200 lbs.)

Cruiserweight (175 to 200 lbs.

Middleweight (150 to 175 lbs.)

Lightweight (under 150 lbs.)

Equipment

Four ounce MMA gloves are worn, fighters are wearing traditional hockey jerseys and equipment

BKFC officials stated that fights for the first Ice Wars card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.