From Kamloops to the Cage: 19-Year-Old Fighter Chasing the UFC Dream

At just 19 years old, a Kamloops mixed martial arts athlete is quietly building a name for himself- not through flashy callouts or viral moments, but through discipline, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in his dream.

Growing up in Kamloops, Nick Shannon admits his life was heading in the wrong direction. “I wasn’t going down a good path,” he said. Shannon said he faced bullying as a child and struggled in high school as well. “I wanted to try something new and hope for the best.” That decision led him into the world of MMA – a choice he now credits with changing his life.

Shannon’s long-term goal is clear: the UFC. “That’s the top goal,” he said confidently.

What started as an outlet quickly became his passion. He found structure through training and mentorship with a strong sense of community. “I met a lot of great people, and it makes me more disciplined. Overall, it really changed my life.”

Shannon does most of his training at Boa Martial Arts in North Kamloops. He credits his coaches along with several other black belts – for shaping him both inside and outside the cage. “They’ve given me a piece of advice and shown me different aspects of the sport and life,” he said. “They all have their own way to teach.”

While he has earned gold medals at local tournaments, including one in Kelowna, he remains grounded. Losses in grappling matches have taught him resilience. “You have to accept it,” he said. “Look back, see what you did wrong, and fix it.”

As the Kamloops’ MMA community continues to gain exposure, Shannon hopes residents and TRU students will support fighters by attending events, tuning into pay-per-views and following regional MMA gym pages for updates. “Just watch and support,” he said. Shannon supports the idea of offering student discounts for TRU students wanting to watch on pay-per-view.

For teenagers and students considering stepping onto the mats for the first time, his advice is simple: “If you don’t try it, how do you know you won’t like it? Sometimes getting started is the hardest part.”

His hard work is now focused on a future grappling match on an amateur MMA card in Vernon on April 18. For this 19-year-old fighter, getting started may have been the hardest step – but it’s one that set him firmly on the path toward something bigger.