Northern Combat Invitational unveils new belt design

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Combat Club has revealed its new belt design.

Clint Parker, instructor at the club and promoter of Northern Combat Invitational (NCI), posted on Friday, May 16th with the new design which pays homage to mixed martial arts premier promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Parker brands his NCI as the only grappling event in B.C. where competitors can “earn belts” instead of a customary medal. 

“My original belts are ringside belts that I put [the club] decal on,” said Parker. “[They] are a little smaller. They’re pretty classy [and] old school.

“I thought ‘it would be cool to get a team belt, something the guys could win every month [in the gym].’ [By the time] the women’s show came, I wanted a custom belt [for events].”

Parker said he contacted some belt makers before an old training buddy, Shannon Ritch, gave him the contact for an international belt maker.

“[The belt maker] told me ‘I can make you anything,’” said Parker. “I sent him a picture of the UFC belt, and I’m like ‘I want this, but I want NCI on it.’”

After a few months, the belts arrived this week. Parker says he may order four to five of the belts, with acting NCI champions being able to use the belt for public appearances.

“If you’re my acting champion, you get that to tote around with you,” said Parker. 

With NCI 16 booked for September in Fort St. John, Parker said NCI 17 could take place next spring, with cities including Prince George, Dawson Creek or Grande Prairie under contention to host.

More information about Northern Combat Club and NCI is available on the club’s Facebook page.