Recent amendments to the combat sport policy in the province has opened the door for Cambridge to host a men's World Muay Thai Council title fight.
Being put on by Mas Academy of Martial Arts, seven local fighters will be among 12 to enter the ring at the Tapestry Hall on Feb. 22 for the St. Valentine's Massacre.
The first men’s World Muay Thai Council North American title bout and two elite Canadian title defences are part of the main card.
Seven of the fights are considered A-Class, meaning fighters have at least 25 fights under their belt, while the undercard will feature up-and-comers.
Chris Kew, the KRU Yai or headmaster for Mas Academy, said the Muay Thai and mixed martial arts following in Cambridge continues to grow, making the city an ideal location to host an event.
"We've had some success with outdoor shows and we have a strong fan base here," Kew said.
"The last couple shows we've done at the Portuguese Hall since COVID, we can't fit the capacity."
The Tapestry Hall approached Kew prior to the pandemic to put on an event but the plans were halted when social gatherings were limited. When restrictions began to ease, uptake in the sport and the academy took time to recover.
Before the pandemic hit, Mas Academy had 270 students, a number that fell off after but is back to just shy of where registration was previously.
"The guys that were fighting pre-COVID, they never transitioned back," Kew said.
"They went onto other things in their lives."
By putting on its biggest event yet, he's hopeful that the sport will continue to grow and reach new audiences.
Having been involved in mixed martial arts his entire life, including a stop in Thailand, Kew wants residents to understand how important it is to bring an event like this to the city.
"It's huge," Kew said.
"To bring the World Muay Thai Council here is huge."
With the hard work put in by both organizers and the fighters about to pay off, Kew is encouraging people to come out for a night of entertainment and to support the local MMA scene, regardless of any previous experience with the sport.
"It's exciting," Kew said of what people can expect from the fights.
"For MMA fans, I think it's a great opportunity for them to come and see the striking component up close and to celebrate Cambridge. We have an incredible event venue."
Tickets can be purchased at the academy at 695 Bishop St. N or online at eventbrite.