Alaska Combat Entertainment holding second show of season after year-long hiatus

PALMER — Alaska Combat Entertainment, formally known as AK Tuesday Night Fights, is holding its second show of the 2021 season Saturday at Denali Harley Davidson.

Owner and operator, Billy Christensen said that everything was put on hold for over a year due to COVID, holding their first show last month.

“...Which is crazy because we usually open in October,” Christensen said.

Christensen said they’re extremely excited to finally get fighters back in the rings and audience members back in their seats.

“It’s just been really tough on us… It impacted us quite a bit,” Christensen said. “We knew that if we didn’t start doing something, then people were gonna forget who we were and it was gonna die off; and there’s so many athletes that are training hard and that want to be competing. They need to compete.”

Christensen said it’s been a challenging time period, but they were able to get back on the scene while staying on par with the times due in no small part to the tireless efforts of his wife, Heather.

“Her mitigation plan is rock solid… The research she has done to keep our fans safe... It’s been a blessing man,” Christensen said.

MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing fighters from across the state are competing in the upcoming show.

“It’s just gonna be high level fights, very competitive, and I’m just really excited,” Christensen said.

Christensen said they were recently approached by UFC fighting coach asking to see if they would be interested in bringing him on to referee one of their events. He said it was a huge boost to their morale as they continue planing for the returning season.

“For him to even entertain coming to Alaska and refereeing in my show is an honor. I consider that a great honor,” Christensen said. “You wouldn’t believe that I’ve got all kinds of fighters from around the world approaching us right now… they want a place to fight. Apparently, they see the videos that we’ve put online and stuff and want to come to our show.”

Portions of the proceeds from the Saturday show will benefit MyHouse Mat-Su Homeless Youth Center. Christensen said they usually designate donations from their events to local nonprofits.

“We like being part of the community with things like that,” Christensen said. “Now that we’re back at it... the people are happy. The fighters are happy. Everybody’s happy… We hear nothing but positive things from the community.”

Doors open for the ACE fight night at 6:45 p.m Saturday, March 27 at Denali Harley Davidson. Tickets are $40 at the door and $35 at local outlets, including A1 Pawn, Alaska Elixirs Vapes, Denali Harley-Davidson, and Midnight Sun Tanning.

For more information, call 907-232-3727 or visit the Alaska Combat Entertainment Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com