A Yellowknife mixed martial arts event that was postponed because of a denied liquor licence has been rescheduled for June 13.
The Warrior Strong Fight League was supposed to hold its “Northern Invasion” event on May 16 at the YK Arena, but was forced to push it back when an incomplete and tardy application was denied by the territory’s Liquor Licensing Board.
At the time, Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny labelled the board’s decision a “ridiculous portraying of bureaucratic red tape” since it put event promoters out thousands of dollars.
Read: Liquor Licence Dispute Postpones Yellowknife Fight Night
But now, two weeks later, John Stanley and Scott Thomson say the MMA extravaganza will go on, albeit with a change of scenery and slight juggling of the fight card.
The event will now be held at the Shorty Brown Multiplex Arena on Saturday, June 13 under the name “Red Tape Rumble”. Tickets purchased for the May 16 event will be honoured upon entry.
Stanley says everything is in place this time around and that he expects no issue securing a liquor licence. He told Moose FM he’s relieved for the fighters.
“These guys train two to three times a day, even four times a day so to have [the last event] kind of yanked away from them was horrible,” he said.
“I think it deflated them a bit since they had to start the process of cutting weight again but they stayed in shape and stayed in the gym so I think it’s a big relief for them to have this go ahead.”
Stanley says the event will still be headlined by Yellowknife’s James Williams fighting for the middleweight amateur title. It will also feature four other local fighters.
Tickets for VIP tables, floor seating and general admission can be purchased at Ragged Ass Barbers, Just Fitness and Coyotes Bar and Grill.
Read: Territory To Look At Liquor Licence Shift After MMA Dispute
