Local fighters go nearly perfect at Alberta mixed martial arts event

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Competitors from a local mixed martial arts (MMA) gym had a nearly perfect weekend competing in the cage in Alberta.

Five fighters from the Northern Combat Club went down to Lethbridge to compete in regional promotion Rumble in the Cage (RITC) 70 on Saturday, October 4th at the Servus Sports Centre.

The local grapplers didn’t disappoint, getting three wins, one loss and a disqualification in their fights. That includes Steve Smith, who won a heavyweight contest over opponent Jon Panapasa by submission.

Northern Combat Club coach Clint Parker told Energeticcity.ca he always appreciates heading down to Alberta to give his athletes the chance to compete.

“What I like about RITC is they have everything,” said Parker. “[They have fights in] kickboxing, bare knuckle boxing and amateur MMA.

“The card had everything you want for fighting. [It had] 19 fights, so it’s a lot of fights and they have a really deep talent pool to pull from.”

Other fighters who joined Smith on the card included Timber Bigfoot, who rolled his bare knuckle boxing record to 2-0 by defeating Dillon Lewis.

Parker has seen Bigfoot’s development over more than a decade, describing him as a “cocky kid” when he began training.

“We had to tone him down,” said Parker. “It was funny. His mom came in, and I didn’t know he was a kid. She told me, ‘he’s 15.’ Timber’s had tough training from the beginning, he’s very trained.”

Marc Schaefer, a mainstay on Parker’s Northern Combat Invitational (NCI) cards, also competed – downing Edmonton’s Connor Lowry.

The two fighters who did not have their arms raised were Brody Herridge, who lost by decision to Calgary’s Rahill Safi, and Aiden Hoffmeyer, who was disqualified against opponent Jonah Ellis due to what Parker described as an “errant knee.”

Unlike professional MMA, the card was strictly amateur. Parker says there won’t be a protest to overturn the decision.

“It should have been a no-contest,” said Parker. “We don’t care too much.”

RITC 70 took place on Saturday, October 4th in Lethbridge, Alberta. More details about Northern Combat Club can be found on its Facebook page.