Don’t miss SOGI Ladies Night

jiujiteiramagazine June 14, 2023 3 min read

From female athletes to female commentators, the submission-ladies-only event airs August 19th on FloGrappling

by Patrish Murphy

SOGI Ladies Night is set to go off August 19^th streaming live on FloGrappling. This is a female only event. Where many super fights seem to have only a few women on the card, SOGI is setting the stage to broadcast these athletes. The owner, Christopher, explained his inspiration for putting the fights on.

Professor Christopher Shahgholi, the owner of 10^th Planet Long Island, created SOGI originally as a submission-only event but then switched to EBI rule set. As the organization gained its footing and growth FloGrappling offered SOGI to broadcast on their streaming service. Christopher has a daughter, Brianna, who inspired him to highlight women. He feels everyone is equal in the sport no matter sex or age. Watching female grapplers Christopher noticed how much more they moved than their male counterparts. They were faster, able to show a wide range of techniques, and always put on a show. This is what prompted him to begin approaching women athletes at different tournaments to offer them fights on SOGI. He always makes sure every SOGI event has women on the card. However, he really wanted to give women an opportunity where it was all about them.

Professor Chris Shagholi with kids Brianna Rose Shagolj, Patrick Shagholi, and girlfriend Nikki Huer

Thus, Ladies Night was born. Not only are the fighters just women but the commentators are women as well. Chris even offered GI matches to gain more competitors. Allowing amateurs to compete in an event like this opens avenues for the athlete. Christopher always hopes athletes will gain attention and be invited to other events. If someone on SOGI gets invited to a bigger EBI event he is thrilled.

Giving women a stage is a step closer to changing how women are viewed in the sport. An event like this creates commentary among the females. It allows us to come together to celebrate women by doing what we are passionate about, gives us space to prove why we are just as exciting to watch as the men, and allows us to demonstrate the beautiful art of Jiu-Jitsu. We thank Christopher for helping women break the mold.

Tune into FloGrappling August 19^th to watch SOGI’s Ladies Night!

Patrish Murphy

Patrish Murphy is a blue belt who trains out of Soca BJJ under legendary Alexandre “Soca” Freitas and Professora Samantha Freitas. Patrish is a part of the R1NG team that competes in IBJJF tournaments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY Old Westbury. Patrish has three young children a five-year-old boy and her twin girls who are one. She hopes, through writing, to inspire other women to continue their journey through Jiu-Jitsu, competing, and motherhood. Email