Jenn Joncas hopes to grapple her way to a win in Jiu-Jitsu event

In a mostly male dominated sport, Sudbury's Jenn Joncas can't wait to hit the mat Friday night to show off all her hard work.

She's been training at the Sudbury Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu And Muay Thai Academy for the past nine years.

"All my nine years of training will come down to this 15-minute round."

The event itself is called Ground Games. And participants fight it out on the mat using Jiu-Jitsu skills.

What makes this event different, says Joncas, is that is doesn't go on a point system. It is submission-only. To win, you have to make your opponent give up.

"You have to stop them from from attacking you, either choke them out or joint manipulation, or something like that," Joncas said.

If no one taps out in 15 minutes, the match is considered a draw.

Fighters are coming from all parts of the province to face off on the mat, which is the first of its kind to be held in northern Ontario.

Each school has a different style and techniques said Joncas. She and her husband Steve own the Academy and use the traditional Gracie technique.

Her husband also her coach. Steve Joncas says the Gracie technique focuses on self defence.

"So what that means — on a mat in a competition setting — is you need to be able to survive and not get submitted. And if you can do that, given a long enough time frame, you'll eventually win."

Steve says Jenn is very well prepared for the fight.

"She's strong in every position, there really isn't any weaknesses."

Jenn hopes for a big cheering section for her match.

"You will see me putting everything I have on the line."

Her biggest fan in all of this may just be her soon-to-be three-year-old daughter.

"She's our little gym rat," Jenn says, adding that she wants to participate in the sport as well.

"She will be able to protect herself when she is my age for sure."

Doors to the event at the Caruso Club in Sudbury open at 6 p.m., and the competition begins at 7 p.m.

Jenn Joncas is in one of the featured matches against Gemma "Smash" Sheehan from Action and Reaction MMA in Toronto.

Morning North7:08Sudbury's Jenn Joncas competes at the Ground Games in Sudbury

In a male dominated sport, Jenn Joncas is one of top billed fights Friday night in Sudbury. She is competing in the Ground Games. A submission grappling event. Here she is telling guest host Peter Williams all about it.