It has been nearly seven years since a mixed martial arts event was held in North Battleford. Friday will mark the return of the popular sport with an event at the Civic Centre.
Xtreme Cage Wars Fighting Championship 49 had nine fights confirmed for the Friday night fight card earlier in the week and Dave Lochert, CEO and promoter for XCW, said they could have 12 fights scheduled for the event.
Of the 12 fights, two would be title bouts and fighters from across Saskatchewan and Alberta are set to put on a show at the North Battleford Civic Centre.
Homegrown talent, Bobby Flamond of North Battleford is one of the fighters in action Friday, as he will battle in the 170-pound welterweight division. Flamond's 2-2 record will be on the line against Freddy Myers of Moose Jaw.
Friday's main event will feature lightweights Caleb Ermine and Dauda Keita in a title fight.
Not only is Lochert excited to bring mixed martial arts back to the Battlefords, but the event also has intentions for helping out communities like the Battlefords in the future. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be slated for opening a local Champion Fight Club Mixed Martial Arts training centre similar to the one operating in Saskatoon. The gym in Saskatoon features the Fight for Life program, which is intended to help inner city kids get off the street and provide them with alternative option while holding them responsible for their actions in the community and at school. Local kids are given the chance to join the club and get off the streets with membership fees and equipment covered through fighting events such as XCW Fighting Championship 49.
"Our primary goal is to work with youth in the community to create a Fight for Life program," says Lochert.
The number of tables has been reduced from the original plan, but Lochert says that is normal, as they get closer to the date of an event. They scale the number of VIP tables down based on advanced ticket sales.
Lochert expects this to be an exciting event and would like to see a crowd of 600 people or more to help cover the costs of the production and fees for fighters while still supporting Champion Fight Club Mixed Martial Arts in Saskatchewan.
Tickets are still available and will be available at the door Friday night as well for an additional $5. VIP cage side tables are $600, which seats six people. A cage side seat is $85 while general admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children.
The evening not only presents an opportunity to watch exciting mixed martial arts action, but also a chance to support a local cause.
The fights will be broadcasted on the Fight Network and GOFightLIve.tv.
For tickets or more information on the check out XCW on Facebook.
