Takedown Novice Rules

FIGHTING ARENA

Bouts will be held within a 24ft (diameter) competition cage.  Each cage will be surrounded by a one and a half metre safety zone.

ATTIRE

Compulsory: gum shield, groin guard, 4oz MMA Gloves (7oz MMA Gloves for fighters aged under 18 years old), shin and instep protectors

Competitors may fight bare chested, or when wearing a top, a rash guard is permitted.  MMA shorts or Thai shorts are recommended.  Alternatively wrestling singlet’s are also permitted.  Any clothing worn should not be excessively baggy.  Ear guards may be worn.

All finger and toe nails should be cut short and clean.

Equipment has to be checked and approved on the day.  Equipment will be available for use or purchase if your own equipment is deemed as unsuitable.

Please check your equipment in with an official when weighing in

DURATION

All matches are 1 x 5 minute round at a Live Series event or 2 x 5 minute rounds at a Grand Prix event

WAYS TO WIN

You can win a match by:

1. Forcing your opponent to submit (to tap out)
2. The referee stopping the match or disqualifying your opponent
3. By knock-out or technical knock out (your opponent is unable or chooses not to continue)

MATCHING UP

All fights are pre matched up prior to the event on AGE, WEIGHT, FIGHT EXPERIENCE and TIME TRAINING.  Each participant or coach must divulge not just mma experience or training but also experience and training in any other combat sport.  This is done so that the novices and amateurs can be matched up more evenly.  Any fighter or coach found to be withholding or lying about relevant experience will be disqualified from the event and banned from future shows or support.

LICENSING

Each fighter must bring with them a full up to date license from their martial arts association.  Out of date licenses, lost, forgotten or having no license must be resolved on the day with a new one at a cost of £8.

LEGAL TECHNIQUES

1. All punching and kicking techniques to legal target areas when standing
2. All knee strikes to legal target areas when standing
3. Striking only to the body and leg when standing or on the ground
4. All upper body submissions (ie shoulder, arm and wrist locks)
5. All chokes (excluding those mentioned below)
6. All takedowns and throws
7. All straight leg locks (ie knee bar, Achilles etc)

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES

1. No hair-pulling, eye gouging, head-butting, ear pulling or fish-hooking
2. No striking to the head
3. No Knee strikes to head
4. No elbow strikes permitted
5. No strikes to the head whilst on the ground
6. No manipulation of small joints (fingers, toes)
7. No striking directly to joints
8. No holding of gloves or other safety equipment
9. No holding onto the cage
10. No heel-hooking or any other technique that places a twisting motion on the ankle or knee joint
11. No pulling of clothing permitted
12. No striking directly to the spine
13. No groin strikes permitted
14. Striking not permitted for fighters at different levels (eg, one grounded, one standing)
15. Any technique which results in, or is liable to result in, your opponent being dropped on to his/her head
16. No slamming
17. Throat strikes of any kind, including without limitation, grabbing the trachea or clavicle
18. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh
19. Kicking to the kidney with a heel
20. No neck cranking or spine locks (ie crucifix, full nelson, twister)

AGE RESTRICTIONS

The tournament is open to fighters aged 14 years and above.  However bouts with competitors aged 14-15 years will be restricted to Novice class only. 16-17 year olds will be restricted to Novice or Intermediate rule sets.  All fighters aged 14-17 years must wear 7 oz MMA Gloves without exception.

RULES

1. All competitors must have filled out a tournament registration form and posted it back signed (with the appropriate amount of entry money) to the organisers at least 2 weeks prior to the event (or have completed one online).  No competitor entries will be allowed on the day.  Spectators can purchase tickets on the door or in advance (although tickets will be limited in number so advance purchase is recommended).
2. All matches will be fought over one 5 minute round at a Live Series event or 2 x 5 minute rounds at a Grand Prix event
3. All matches that go the full time will be classified as a draw – there is no judges decision
4. All matches for fighters aged 18 years and over are full contact
5. The referee has the authority to stop a match when either of the competitors is in danger of serious bodily harm as a result of a submission and award the victory to competitor applying the submission
6. The referee can stop the match at any point
7. The referee’s instructions must be adhered to and his or her decisions are final
8. Gum shields must remain in the mouth at all times.  The referee may pause the action to replace gum shields that have fallen from a competitors mouth
9. Safety equipment (gloves, shin & insteps etc) must remain properly attached to the body.  The referee can pause the action for required adjustment of any safety equipment
10. A fighter is classed as ‘grounded’ if any part of their body, except for the soles of the feet, comes into contact with the mat (although this does not apply if fighter is maintaining guard when opponent stacks)
11. The referee can stand grounded fighters if there is a prolonged ‘lack of action’ on the ground
12. All competitors are expected to behave in a ‘sportsman-like’ manner as expected of martial arts students
13. Competitors, coaches or spectators who behave aggressively or inappropriately in their conduct outside of the bout will be asked to leave the centre irrespective of whether the fight they are there for has taken place or not.  No refunds will be issued in such an event
14. Competitors who wish to retire or pull out at any stage must ask an official to have his/her fight card withdrawn
15. No oils (other than Vaseline to the face) may be applied to any part of the body
16. All competitors must possess a current and valid martial arts license
17. Alcohol is not permitted in the sports hall.  All alcoholic drinks must be consumed in the bar.  Soft drinks and food are permitted in the sports hall.

COMPETITOR EXCLUSIONS

In the interest of maintaining safety and fairness within amateur competition, competitors who have engaged in professional bouts or have a high level of experience in any combat art will only be matched if an equivalent opponent can be found.  This is not a completely open tournament.  Match ups are done in advance and fighter’s details will be closely checked to ensure as even a bout as possible.  The main aim of the event is to provide amateur fighters with a platform to gain experience on in the world of MMA without being over matched.