Yellowknife MMA event rescheduled for June 13, renamed 'Red Tape Rumble'
CBC News | Posted: May 27, 2015 8:01 PM | Last Updated: May 27, 2015
Event was originally scheduled for June 13, postponed due to liquor licence issues
A postponed mixed martial arts event in Yellowknife has a new date — and a new name.
The Warrior Strong Fight League will host its first event, renamed the "Red Tape Rumble," on June 13.
Initially scheduled for May 16, Warrior Strong officials delayed the event after the territory's liquor board rejected a liquor licence application by the NWT SPCA, which was scheduled to host liquor sales as a fundraiser.
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Northwest Territories Liquor Board officials said the application was submitted late and incomplete. Warrior Strong representatives acknowledged the mistakes in the application, but felt strongly that the board's response was harsh. Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny chastised the Board's decision, calling it a "ridiculous [display] of bureaucratic red tape."
Michael Miltenberger, the minister responsible for the Liquor Board, commented following the initial cancellation that: "the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has their name on an application to sponsor an event where a bunch of men are going to get together to beat themselves senseless and bloody to raise money to give back to the SPCA to prevent animals from being beaten senseless and bloody.
"Sort of like Alcoholics Anonymous asking for a licence for a beer garden to raise money to help people quit drinking."
Warrior Strong Fight League organizers say they have now resubmitted their application with reduced attendance, to meet the board's timeline requirement, and that the event will go ahead regardless of whether or not it receives a liquor licence.