Northern Combat Invitational to return to Fort St. John featuring ‘suit-jitsu’ match

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern B.C.’s regional grappling competition returns to its home base of Fort St. John next month.

Northern Combat Club’s (NCC) Northern Combat Invitational’s (NCI) 17th show will take over the Fort St. John Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday, January 24th showcasing Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) action.

Promoter Clint Parker told Energeticcity.ca while the card is still subject to change, as many as 13 to 15 BJJ contests will be scheduled, highlighted by three NCI title bouts.

Parker is also the head trainer at NCC, which will be opening a new facility in the new year.

Entrants from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Grande Prairie and Whitecourt will be on hand at the Legion.

“It seems like grappling is probably the most popular sport nowadays,” said Parker. “I love mixed martial arts (MMA), but it’s such a violent sport and it’s so hard to sanction.

“I love grappling because it is a lot easier to sanction. It’s a lot easier to insure [as well].”

Keying in on the Alaska Highway rivalry, each featured bout will pit Fort St. John grapplers against a Dawson Creek counterpart.

NCC’s Aiden Hoffmeyer will take on Conan Fowler for the NCI lightweight strap and Fort St. John’s Ryan Tuka will meet Dawson Creek’s Jani Cells for the middleweight crown.

Meanwhile, in a battle of the Steves, NCC’s Steven Smith will battle Dawson Creek’s Stephen Mckenzie for the NCI openweight title.

Also, never one to shy away from providing entertaining bouts, Parker said the first ‘suit-jitsu’ match – featuring entrants donning a business suit in order to compete – will also occur.

“I have got a limited budget,” said Parker. “I am giving them both 200 bucks. They’re going to go out and buy suits they like and get all dressed up. The only thing we’re dropping is the tie, because we didn’t want to use a tie. It’s an easy choke. It should be entertaining.”

NCI 17 goes at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort St. John at 10103 105th Ave. on Saturday, January 24th. Doors open for the show at 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets are $45. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Parker directly at 250-263-2896.