Nickole is 4x Pan-Am champ

Up-and-coming mixed martial artist Nickole Salem is continuing to leave her mark in the world of Brazillian jiu jitsu as she won her fourth championship in the Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2024 last Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The 7-year-old had three fights in the pee-wee 2, gray belt, featherweight division, and won gold after beating silver medalist Elizabeth Lee Valk in the finals via reverse triangle.

Salem won her first fight by points, 14-0, and the semis by submission via armbar.

Bronze went to Luiza Illidio de Souza and Madison Aubree Ayers.

Through her father, Nicko Salem, Nickole said that she’s ready for the next challenge and was excited to compete out of the gi category.

“She’ll potentially be promoted to a new belt level by the end of this year. That means competing with tougher competition,” said Nicko. Nickole also dabbles in wrestling, and Nicko said, “The wrestling season is starting in November and she has a super fight in Jiu Jitsu by the end of December in Cincinnati, Ohio,” said Nicko.

“She wants to thank all her friends at Gracie Barra Summerville for helping her prepare and to all the family members that continue to support her,” he added.

Nickole also recently won gold in the IBJJF Pan Kids Jiu Jitsu Championship 2024 last July and in the American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

Nickole’s younger brother, 5-year-old Mattheo, is also a mixed martial artist who also recently won gold in his division during the IBJJF Pan Kids American Championship last June, and in the American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships 2024.

Nicko is a U.S. Marine and a 2012 graduate of Saipan Southern High School, while his wife and Nickole’s mother, Maria Victoria, is an alumnae of Marianas High School. They now reside in Charleston, South Carolina.