Northern Combat Invitational returns with doubleheader in May

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John’s hometown grappling promotion returns with a doubleheader card to start the Month of May

Two different shows will encompass the entire day on Saturday, May 9th and begin with Northern Combat Invitational (NCI) 18 – a Brazilian ju-jitsu show strictly for the kids. 

It will begin at 11 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion at 10103 105th Avenue in Fort St. John, highlighted by a contest between Damian Cholmondeley and Ian Simms.

NCI promoter Clint Parker – who also operates the Northern Combat Club – said he was motivated to put together strictly youth cards due to constant inquiries from supportive parents.

“I had a few parents reach out to me from other gyms in town,” said Parker. “They were asking me why I didn’t do kid scraps on the adult card.”

“I explained that to be listed on a mixed martial arts (MMA) [event] site, there can’t be kid’s stuff or they won’t list you. I told [parents] I would do my own kids’ show if I could get some people.”

In the evening at the legion, NCI 19 will take centre stage.  The main card will see Ollie Studer and Marc ‘Mullet Daddy’ Schafer battle in a matchup for the NCI cruiserweight title.

“[Marc] hasn’t fought in Fort St. John in a while,” said Parker. “Ollie, who lost his dad before the last card – had a huge win [there]. He has [been] riding quite the wave, and he’s young. It is a really exciting time for those two to lock it up.”

Parker is also planning on having as many as three ‘car-jitsu’ matchups – a grappling match inside an automobile – as part of the event.

Tickets for both shows will be at the door. The day event has a $45 entry fee for child grapplers, with spectator tickets starting at $10.

Tickets for the evening event will cost $45.  NCI 18 and 19 happen on Saturday, May 9th. 

NCI starts at 11 a.m., while NCI 19 doors open at 5:30 p.m. More details can be found on Northern Combat Club’s Facebook page.