James 'Flash' Dalzell on his Ice Wars title and next fights

The Penetanguishene Wolverine James 'Flash' Dalzell Reddit BKFC interview found the Ice Wars lightweight champion looking for his next fight. Dalzell told Reddit BKFC that he wants Rosa, expects to face Cody snake a third time eventually and has discussed a possible Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event in Ontario. He also explained why he has asked to fight actor Jared Leto.

What did James 'Flash' Dalzell say about his Ice Wars lightweight title and BKFC in Ontario?

James 'Flash' Dalzell said Ice Wars is his priority as lightweight champion, but he wants to keep fighting wherever an opportunity opens. He has spoken with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contacts about Ontario and heard talk of more Canadian fights, though he said no event or contract had been confirmed.

Lightweight in Ice Wars

Dalzell corrected the suggestion that the Ice Wars lightweight limit was 155 pounds: he said it is up to 150. He usually fought at 145 in bare knuckle, making 150 a comfortable weight rather than a significant cut. By contrast, he said he had to gain weight to reach 155 when he fought Felber.

Talks about an Ontario event

He said he regularly messages Nate Shook and Dave Feldman and has raised the possibility of bringing BKFC to Ontario. Shook, he added, usually responds. Dalzell sees a potential opening because the promotion likes entering new markets, but he put little weight on rumors until a fight is contracted.

Becoming Ice Wars' first lightweight champion matters to him, but so does staying active. He said he got into combat sports to pursue bare knuckle and is ready to take another fight rather than wait solely for the next Ice Wars date.

What did James 'Flash' Dalzell say about hockey, Cody snake and a third fight?

Dalzell enjoyed seeing more fighting in hockey, including Nate McKinnon getting involved, and said he expects another fight with Cody snake someday. He does not want an immediate trilogy: after two demanding meetings, he would rather face other Ice Wars opponents before returning to that matchup.

Hockey fights and the lightweight cup

He said it had seemed as though fighting was fading from the league, so the recent scraps caught his attention. He particularly likes seeing captains and skilled scorers willing to fight. On Ice Wars' title presentation, he liked the idea of engraving the championship cup but also hoped champions would eventually receive belts.

Waiting on Cody snake

Dalzell described his two fights with Cody as wars and said they had been fun. He acknowledged that a third could be a good fight when the time comes, while agreeing there is no need to book it now. He is also open to bigger opponents in a hockey-fight setting, though he wants to establish himself at lightweight first.

The most recent Cody fight went to a decision. Dalzell said he prefers stoppages because leaving a result to judges brings uncertainty, but he valued proving he could get through all three tiring rounds and win that way.

Who does James 'Flash' Dalzell want next in Ice Wars and other combat sports?

Dalzell wants Rosa, the first opponent he requested for an Ice Wars title fight, and would welcome the biggest available names. He said a fight with reed also appears possible after reed called him out, although Dalzell questioned whether that would be a fair title opportunity.

Rosa and reed

Dalzell had expected Rosa to be a major lightweight opponent after Rosa was announced in that division. He was unsure where Rosa would compete next or whether a fight between them would happen soon. Still, he said facing the best available fighter is the point of holding the title.

Reed's challenge arrived quickly after Dalzell won the championship. Dalzell said he had barely had a chance to celebrate when Charlie told him reed was already seeking the fight. He would accept it, but he also agreed that reed should earn a win before receiving a title shot.

Boxing and MMA alongside Ice Wars

Beyond Ice Wars, Dalzell said a traditional boxing bout in December looked possible and that there had been talk of an MMA fight. He liked the idea of competing in MMA, boxing, bare-knuckle boxing and Ice Wars within one calendar year, but presented those plans as possibilities, not signed bookings.

His urgency comes partly from knowing his fighting years are limited. Ice Wars has momentum and he holds its lightweight title, yet he said he wants as many fights as he can get while he remains able to compete.

What did James 'Flash' Dalzell say about acting, Ice Wars teammates and promotion?

Dalzell said acting, music and fighting all serve his aim of entertaining people. He has booked more acting work, is working toward an album and would love a role on the hockey series Shoresy. He also thinks fighters need to develop a recognizable character and accept interviews, not rely on results alone.

Acting and a dream role on Shoresy

He said he acted in a Dark Side production. On Shoresy, he could imagine either playing an opposing pest or joining the Sudbury Bulldogs. Having experienced camaraderie on hockey teams, he liked the prospect of being part of the show's team on screen.

Training with Nick and finding a character

Dalzell said he traveled to North Bay before his last fight to train with Nick, one of the La Porte brothers. They live about two hours apart, and he enjoyed seeing two fighters from small-town northern Ontario hold Ice Wars titles at lightweight and heavyweight.

For fighters coming up, Dalzell credited Gary Goodrich with advice that stayed with him: ability alone is not enough if an athlete gives audiences nothing else to connect with. His recommendation is to find a character, lean into it and take interview opportunities. He said repeated practice has made him more comfortable speaking on camera.

Why does James 'Flash' Dalzell want to fight Jared Leto?

Dalzell said Jared Leto left him with a small unpaid bill in Toronto while Leto was filming Suicide Squad. Dalzell, who was working at Second City when Leto attended a show, has since asked BKFC to arrange a fight. He told the story as an unusual personal reason to call out a famous name.

According to Dalzell, Leto arrived in character as the Joker, watched part of the show and left before it ended without settling his bill. Dalzell said the amount was not large, but he had to cover the food himself. He has also messaged Leto about fighting.

Dalzell's interest in a belt extends beyond an opponent's name. As a father, he thought winning the Ice Wars title might make him a little cooler to his children, and joked about bringing a future belt along on their class trips.

What did James 'Flash' Dalzell say about Herbalife, the break-in and fighting costs?

Dalzell said changing his lifestyle helped him lose more than 50 pounds, and he credited better nutrition as part of becoming a professional athlete. He also described the restraint required after a break-in, praised several fighters on the latest Ice Wars card and explained why even modest sponsorship can matter.

A lifestyle change and a break-in

His wife distributes Herbalife products and has a shop, while Dalzell said he has advocated for the products for more than 10 years. He attributed his weight loss to changing how he lived and what he put into his body.

After a break-in, he said being a professional fighter meant controlling his anger rather than confronting whoever was responsible. Fighting gives him a regulated place to direct that aggression, he said, whereas taking matters into his own hands could have serious consequences.

Ice Wars talent and the cost of a camp

Among fighters who impressed him on the last Ice Wars card, Dalzell named Snowback, Will, the Brigs and Apollo. He expects greater attention to bring more talent into the promotion, but he wants events and contracts in place rather than relying on talk of possible new locations.

Dalzell said travel and hotels were not his main expense; training and the months leading up to a fight were. He had no sponsors to name and said that even a few hundred dollars would help. Explaining how he supports his fighting career, Dalzell put the burden plainly:

I got five other jobs so I can do this

Who is James 'Flash' Dalzell?

The Penetanguishene Wolverine James 'Flash' Dalzell is a professional bare-knuckle boxer, coach, actor and rapper. He describes his mission as making the world happier and healthier.