Remembering Bodog Fight

There was no way it was going to last. BodogFight was a mixed martial arts promotion founded by Calvin Ayre, an online gambling magnate, as part of his Bodog Entertainment Group. When Ayre bankrolled the creation of Bodog Fight (stylized as BodogFIGHT) in 2006, the dream wasn’t to do battle with MMA promotions like the UFC; it was to put on the best fights possible. Bodog Fight was characterized by its high-budget production, often described as a lavish alternative to the UFC. If that meant bringing some of the world’s top talent to exotic locations around the world, or to fight them on the beaches rather than a packed arena, Ayre was willing and able to take the financial hit, even though Bodog Fight did not see a profitable return on its investment. Despite this, the promotion left a significant mark on the MMA world with its unique approach and memorable events for sports betting.

Bodog Fight’s last event was held in late 2007, but the enduring legacy of this one-of-a-kind promotion cannot be denied. Bodog Fight helped change the face of mixed martial arts; we put on some great fights, and we launched some very impressive careers.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at the all-too-brief history of Bodog Fight and see what made it one of the top destinations for MMA fans and fighters alike in the mid-Aughts.

Memorable Events in Mixed Martial Arts Promotion

Bodog Fight is probably remembered most for Costa Rica Combat, three days of MMA fights (and tapings) held at an “undisclosed” beach somewhere in Costa Rica, more on that to follow. Bodog Fight combined MMA action with exotic locations, high production values, and a unique television format, setting it apart from other promotions. This is the show that set Bodog Fight apart from the others. It aired on The Score in Canada and ION Television in the US, and was streamed live on Bodog’s media platforms.

Costa Rica Combat was actually the third season of the larger Bodog Fight television series. The first season (on the Fight Network in Canada), also held in Costa Rica but indoors this time, was called To the Brink of War, and was presented in much the same style as the UFC reality show The Ultimate Fighter. Season 2 was called Clash of the Nations (also on the Fight Network), and wrapped with a sold-out PPV finale on April 14, 2007, at the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, featuring top-ranked fighters like Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Lindland.

Bodog Fight produced pay-per-view events featuring top-ranked fighters and was known for hosting events in remote locations such as Costa Rica and Russia. The promotion held around 12 major events, including 'Clash of the Nations' in St. Petersburg, Russia, featuring Fedor Emelianenko. Fighters often spoke about the unique experiences they gained from competing in these exotic settings, which contributed to their overall perspective on fighting and competition.

Because that event did so well, Bodog Fight was back in Russia on November 30 for what would prove to be the event series' last card. Held at the MegaSport Ice Arena in Moscow, this card was titled Russia vs. USA, but somewhere along the way, media outlets like ESPN got it confused with the two USA vs. Russia shows held earlier at the PNE Agrodome in Vancouver. For those interested, you can view more information or details about these events online.

Famous Fighters

The confusion is understandable. That second trip to Russia didn’t work out quite as well for Bodog Fight and has largely been forgotten by all but the staunchest of MMA fans. But Russia vs. USA had impossibly big shoes to fill. In attendance for the Bodog Fight: St. Petersburg PPV was none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin, watching alongside actor/martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was also there to hobnob and catch the fights.

This was 2007, so Putin had yet to gain the reputation he has today, and Berlusconi still had his third and most controversial run ahead of him as Italy’s PM. As for Van Damme, he and Putin later attended a bare-knuckle event in Sochi back in 2010, but it appears Van Damme has done a split-legged 180 since then, having been filmed shouting “Slava Ukraini!” (“Glory to Ukraine!”) in a November 2022 video shared by the Ukrainian Defence Ministry.

Famous Locations in Costa Rica

It’s been in the papers multiple times in recent years, so yes, it appears Costa Rica Combat was filmed at Ayre’s estate in Playa Tambor. He paid big bucks to have all the fighters flown in and the camera crew, and all the other crews. Bodog Fight staged events in exotic locations, including Costa Rica, where fighters competed against the backdrop of tropical beaches and blue waters. These unique venues left a lasting mark on the MMA industry. Styles make fights, but so do locations, and the “Bodog Beach” backdrop became our signature.

It’s not the PNE Agrodome, though. Forget about the beaches and the palm trees for a moment if you can; fight fans in the Great White North are more than familiar with this cozy 5,000-seat arena, adjacent to the larger Pacific Coliseum that once featured the Vancouver Canucks as their primary tenant. The Agrodome was home to All-Star Wrestling (still running today under “Gorgeous” Michelle Starr) in the 1960s and 70s, and we were very proud indeed to hold our first-ever PPV event there.

That show at the Ice Palace (sometimes stylized as “ICE Palace”) was quite something, though. Obviously, they had no trouble packing the 12,300-seat arena. Putin was there, and so was MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko in the main event. But the rink itself is amazing, built in 2000 for the IIHF World Championship and four times the host of the IIHF European Champions Cup. Still not the Agrodome, of course, but it does let us say that Bodog Fight played the same venue as Elton John and Jennifer Lopez.

Bodog Fight: Standout Moments

Ah, yes: Fedor Emelianenko. The stars aligned in 2007 when Emelianenko made his lone appearance with Bodog Fight to take on Matt Lindland. Representing St. Petersburg at the time (and now living just south of Moscow), but born in the Ukrainian SSR, Emelianenko was the reigning Heavyweight champion for Japan’s PRIDE promotion. Fortunately for us, Emelianenko had a clause in his contract that allowed him to fight on Russian soil for any promotion.

The cheer that arose when Emelianenko secured that armbar on Lindland and got him to tap out after just 2:58? It was off the charts, a standing ovation for the local hero, and one he would have received regardless of who else was in attendance.

Three short months later, on July 14, 2007, Bodog Fight made history when we crowned our first-ever women’s champion: Tara LaRosa, who defeated Kelly Kobold via fourth-round armlock for the Bantamweight title at Bodog Fight: Alvarez vs. Lee in Trenton, New Jersey. This was more than five years before the UFC bought Strikeforce and made Ronda Rousey their first women’s champion.