May 11, 2023

The City of Edmonton has reopened the application process for licenses for combative sports events in Edmonton with a restriction to large-scale combative sports events at venues with a capacity of 5,000 spectators or more. Applications were reopened after the completion of a risk assessment on the City’s involvement in sanctioning and oversight of combative sports. 

Administration will begin work on bylaw amendments to permanently implement this change in policy. Administration will bring a report to Council with a new bylaw provision in 2024.

August 10, 2022

The City of Edmonton has implemented a pause, of up to 9 months, on accepting applications for any combative sports event within the city limits to allow the City to conduct a review of the City’s role in licensing combative sports events and make recommendations for the future. The City has notified the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission of this decision and will be engaging with the Commission as a stakeholder to complete the review. 

November 9, 2021

The Edmonton Combative Sports Commission would like to send their deepest condolences to the Lubovac family regarding the recent passing of long-time coach and local promoter, Milan Lubovac.

Milan had been a prominent figure in the local boxing scene for many years. From sport promotion to mentoring many young boxers in Edmonton, including world Champion Jelena Mrdjenovich, his contributions are notable. Milan's legacy will forever be remembered by many in our city.

In honour of his contributions to our local boxing community, the ECSC has made a charitable donation in his honour to the Crystal Kids Foundation.

December 06, 2019

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned a professional boxing event, KO 88, on Friday, December 06 at the Edmonton Convention Center. The main event saw local Heavyweight contender Stan Surmacz win his bout in the first round, while the co-main event saw local Champion Ryan Ford, win in a 6 round non-title fight.

September 13, 2019

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned a professional boxing event, KO 87, on Friday, September 13 at the Edmonton Convention Center. The main event saw local champion, Jelena Mrdjenovich defeat Mexico’s Marisol Corona in an 8 round non-titled fight.

July 27, 2019

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s mixed martial-arts event, UFC 240, at the Rogers Place Arena. The co-main event saw Canada’s Felicia Spencer lose a unanimous decision to Brazil’s Christiane Justino (Cyborg), while the main event saw the Max Holloway defend his UFC featherweight title against Frankie Edgar, via unanimous decision.

June 22, 2019

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned professional boxing event, K.O. 86 at the Edmonton Convention Center. Local boxers Mikenna Tansley, Oleksandr Voytenko and Flavio Michel all won their respective bouts. The main event saw the Women’s WBC & WBA featherweight titles successfully defended by Edmonton’s Jelena Mrdjenovich.

March 8, 2019

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned professional boxing event, K.O. 85 at the Shaw Conference Center. Local boxers Raffaele Santoro, Carlietto Santoro, Oleksandr Voytenko, Eric Taylor and Flavio Michel were all competing on the card. The main event saw Vancouver's Jose Macias battle Brooklyn City's Courtney Pennington to an 8 round Majority Draw.

December 16, 2018

Award Recipients at December 16 ceremony at City Hall.

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission recognized six local athletes for their outstanding achievements in 2017.  Jelena Mrdjenovich, Stan Ahumada Surmacz, Michael Hay and Teddy Ash attended a ceremony at City Hall. Local wrestlers Nizar Wafta and Michael Blais were also recognized, but unable to attend the ceremony.

December 14, 2018

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned professional boxing event, K.O. 84 at the Shaw Conference Center.  Local boxers Raffaele Santoro and Stan Ahumada Surmacz were among the competitors.  The main event saw Montreal’s Erik Bazinyan defend his NABA and NABO Super Middleweight titles, with a 5th round win over Adrian Flores.

November 27, 2018

City Council approved the Administration’s recommendation to amend the Combative Sports Bylaw to exclude professional wrestling from regulation.

November 15, 2018

Administration presented a report to Community and Public Services Committee, recommending the removal of pro-wrestling from the Combative Sports Bylaw. The Committee will bring the recommendation to City Council on November 27, 2018. If approved by Council, pro-wrestling will no longer require Bylaw regulation.

September 28, 2018

On October 1, 2018, the City of Edmonton will be accepting event date bookings requests for 2019. All date bookings require a $1000 deposit for each date requested, $500 of which is refundable back to the event permit holder after the event.

Applicants must hold a valid 2019 promoters licence prior to submitting a request.

For information on Event Date Request forms and Promoter licence applications, please see the Combative Sports Commission Forms page.

September 7, 2018

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission sanctioned another successful professional boxing event, K.O. 83, at the Shaw Conference Center. There were six bouts on the card, including local boxers Flavio Michel, Carlietto Santoro and Robbie Cusine. The main event saw Red Deer’s Cam O’Connell win an eight round unanimous decision over Jesus Laguna.

August 16, 2018

Application forms, guidelines and checklists for combative sports events in Edmonton are now available online. Event promoters, officials and contestants are encouraged to review relevant information before submitting an application.

June 20, 2018

The Community and Public Services Committee received for information, the Administration’s progress report on recommendations to improve fighter safety and the establishment of a Province wide Combative Sports Commission.

Update on the Progress of the Safety Recommendations

Establishment of a Province Wide Combative Sports Commission

April 28, 2018

K.O. 82, a professional boxing event sanctioned by the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Combative Sports Commission, took place at the Shaw Conference Center. From a regulatory perspective the event was viewed as a success and the promoter indicated the show was sold out. The City of Edmonton brought in Mr. Jack Reiss to serve as event technical Director. Reiss has been a fixture in the USA Boxing scene for several decades and is a world renowned instructor, referee and event consultant.

There were eight bouts on the card and the main event saw Edmonton’s Jelena Mrdjenovich, successfully defend both her WBC and WBA feather weight titles in a 10 round unanimous decision over Stephanie Ducastel from France.

April 13, 2018

The recently created operational policy for new inspectors is now online. This policy outlines the necessary standards and requirements become a new inspector. The policy will be supported by a new training model which is currently under development.

The new model will feature an exam and a role shadowing evaluation process with an experienced inspector at a sanctioned event. When finalized, the city will be accepting applications for new Combative Sports event Inspectors.

March 28, 2018

The Cit​y approved an event permit for KO Boxing, to host K.O. 82 at the Shaw Conference Center on April 28, 2018.

March 19, 2018 

The City finalized an operational policy to increase training standards and requirements for any new Edmonton Combative Sports Commission (ECSC) official. All new inspectors will be required to complete a mandatory internal training program, which will include role shadowing and an exam to ensure they meet the required standards to officiate combative sports in Edmonton.  

March 18, 2018

The City received an application from KO Boxing, to host K.O. 82 at the Shaw Conference Center on April 28th, 2018.

February 28, 2018

Edmonton City Council lifted the temporary restriction on combative sports events in Edmonton. Combative sports events were allowed to resume in accordance with Edmonton City Bylaws and Combative Sports Commission policies.

February 21, 2018

The Community and Public Services Committee received the Administration’s report on the recommendations to improve fighter safety.

January 23, 2018

Edmonton City Council passed an amendment to the bylaw to permit professional wrestling events effective immediately.

December 14, 2017

An independent, third-party review into the death of boxer Tim Hague after a June 16, 2017, sanctioned bout was released.

Volume One

Volume Two

December 8, 2017

Edmonton City Council passed a bylaw that temporarily halts issuing new licences or event permits for combative sports in the City of Edmonton.