Former UFC fighter Charles Rosa is aiming to become the leading figure in BKFC Ice Wars, a new combat sports promotion that merges fighting with ice hockey.
This innovative format dispenses with typical hockey elements like the puck, sticks, and goals, focusing instead on violence contained within a 900-square-foot ice area specifically designed for hockey-style fighting.
BKFC Ice Wars has been active recently, launching its first event in Michigan and adding notable fighters like UFC veteran Charles Rosa to its roster.
Having previously played college hockey and participated in numerous fights on the ice, Rosa, known as ‘Boston Strong,’ believes he can excel in this unique hybrid sport, combining the best of both worlds.
Charles Rosa: “I always wanted to be a hockey fighter”
Rosa, 38, competed in the UFC 13 times, holding the record for the most wins at Boston’s TD Garden. His opponents included prominent names such as former interim champion Yair Rodriguez, Bryce Mitchell, and Manny Bermudez.
Despite currently being on a five-fight win streak in MMA, the former UFC Featherweight recently signed with BKFC Ice Wars following a cancelled GFL fight.
Embracing his longtime aspiration of being a hockey fighter, Rosa feels he possesses the potential for superstardom on the ice.
“If I’m gonna be the face of this company, we’re gonna build it together,” Rosa stated. “I’m the top signed fighter that they have, the highest paid fighter on their salary.”
“I’m looking to be a main event potentially in August in Tampa Bay,” Rosa added, indicating his debut is currently being arranged.
“I love hockey, I love fighting… I get to combine the best of both worlds. When I was a little kid, my dream was always to be a goon for the Boston Bruins. I wanted to be a hockey fighter. That’s what I wanted to be,” he explained. “I never had dreams of being a UFC fighter or a boxer. I always wanted to be a hockey fighter.“
Charles Rosa says he was kicked off his college hockey team for fighting
Before his career paths led to the UFC and later BKFC, Rosa initially dreamt of playing hockey in the NHL.
Rosa recounted being involved in about a dozen hockey fights during his relatively brief college career.
“Hockey was really what got me into fighting,” Rosa said. “I actually got kicked off the college team for getting into a hockey fight. It’s not condoned there.”
“I think it cut my career short. I would have liked to think I wanted to play in the NHL or something,” he mused. “I didn’t have a scholarship or anything like that, but I was a walk-on at Johnson & Wales [University Providence] with a division 3 hockey team.”
“I was a scrapper and I liked to fight, and I wasn’t letting anybody bully me. So, the last fight I actually got in actually was what got me kicked off the hockey team,” Rosa admitted. “I’ve been in a lot of hockey fights, a lot of scraps. My favorite part about hockey is the fighting.”
Given his significant experience in both hockey and professional fighting, Charles Rosa`s potential in BKFC Ice Wars will be interesting to watch unfold.
