SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The mixed-martial arts event that was scheduled for Nov. 13 at the Multiplex has been cancelled due to low ticket sales.

Garry Hubert, who was organizing the event, said with a week to go and fewer than 100 tickets sold out of 2,100 seats, he can't afford to risk the expense.

"It breaks my heart," Hubert said. "I'm hurt for the sponsors, First Air and the Yellowknife Inn, (and) the fighters who have trained so stinking hard to do a show in front of their hometown crowd."

On Thursday afternoon, Fiddles and Stix said they had sold 60 tickets. The Mackenzie Lounge had sold about 10. Ticket holders can get full refunds at the location where the ticket was bought.

There were nine fights scheduled on the card, with at least three fighters from the NWT.

Hubert has made two previous attempts to host a mixed-martial arts events in the city. In 2008 the "King of the Cage" event was cancelled because of scheduling conflicts with the Yk Figure Skating Club.

The second attempt early in 2009 fell through because the Merv Hardie ferry wasn't able to bring the ring equipment across in time for the event.

Hubert said this was his last attempt.

"I'm done," he said. "It's unfortunate because this was such a unique opportunity for the city, for the North (and) for the fighters. A successful event could have possibly brought some continued events with some big sponsors."

Hubert said cancelling the event is costing him between $4,000 and $5,000 because of advertising, rentals, deposits and tickets.

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