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RULES

Starting with CFFC BJJ 16 on December 27, 2025 there will be two sets of rules for each event.

All main card matches will follow the official UFC BJJ rules with three judged rounds of five minutes each.

All preliminary card matches will follow the traditional CFFC BJJ rules based on sub only regulation with golden score overtime.

FULL RULES FOR EACH BELOW

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MAIN CARD MATCHES

OFFICIAL UFC BJJ RULES

Time Limits

Regulation Bouts:
Each regulation bout shall consist of three rounds. All rounds excluding the final round, shall be accompanied by a rest period.

Round Definition:
Each round shall be scheduled for a five-minute duration.

Rest Period Definition:
Each rest period shall be scheduled for a one-minute duration and begin immediately following the end of the previously scheduled round.

Illegal Techniques

• Striking of any kind

• Gouging of the eyes

• Intentionally putting your fingers into any orifice of your opponent

• Grabbing of the ears

• Intentional pulling of the hair

• Twisting or holding any less than four fingers or toes

• Intentional scratching, pinching, or biting

• Intentional grabbing, squeezing or putting pressure on the groin area

• Intentional grabbing or holding of competitors clothing to include your own

• Slamming, excluding a slamming technique used as a method of escaping a fully applied submission

• Pulling of the guard position that does not result in immediate initiation of action with your opponent

• Intentionally fleeing the mat area or ejecting your opponent from the mat

• Stalling or avoidance of engagement (includes walking backwards from away guard & attacks)

• Heel hooks or twisting leg locks in matches featuring UFC athletes

Officials

Referee:
The referee is the sole arbiter of the bout. The referee shall designate negative points, assign cautions, warnings, positional resets, disqualifications, start and stop the bout.

Judges
The Judges shall determine the winner of each round utilizing the scoring criteria and assign a point value to each athlete using the 10-Point Must scoring system.

Scoring Criteria

Each round shall be judged individually using a 10-Point Must scoring system. Under the 10- Point Must scoring system, 10 points must be awarded to the winner of the round and 9 points or less must be awarded to their opponent.

The following scoring criteria shall be utilized by the judges when scoring each round: 10-9. A round shall be scored as a 10-9 round when an athlete wins by a close margin.

10-8. A round shall be scored as a 10-8 round when an athlete is overwhelmingly dominant throughout the round.

10-7. A round shall be scored a 10-7 round when an athlete is completely dominant throughout the round, to include near-bout ending sequences.

Judging Criteria

Judging criteria shall be ranked in order of the highest value to the lowest, the judges shall apply the following judgement criteria.

Initiation of Bout Ending Techniques:
Effective submission attempts which require meaningful defense shall be given the highest value.

Initiation of Action:
Effective execution of offensive techniques such as takedowns, guard passes, sweeps which further the progression towards bout ending techniques, shall be awarded the second highest value.

Duration of Control:
The athlete who effectively controls the position and pace of the bout shall be awarded the third highest value.

PRELIMINARY CARD MATCHES

Time Limits

• Main Event, Title Matches, or Bracket Finals = 8 Minute Regulation + 4 Minute Overtime (Judged OT)

• Bracket Quarter or Semi Finals = 6 Minute Regulation + 3 Minute Overtime (Judged OT)

• Main Card = 6 Minute Regulation + 2 Minute Overtime

• Prelim Card = 5 Minute Regulation + 1:30 Minute Overtime

Illegal Techniques

• No spiking your opponent directly on their head or neck

• No flying scissor takedowns

• No small joint manipulation

• No strikes of any kind

• No inserting fingers into any orifice or cut

• No grabbing or attacking the trachea / windpipe directly (AKA c-clamp or rape choke)

• No slamming at all in the youth divisions

• No submission attacks below the waist in youth divisions

• No neck cranks in the youth divisions

• No stalling or avoidance of engagement (includes walking backwards away from guard & attacks)
  

Gi Division Specifics:

• No toe holds or kneebars except for Brown and Black belts

• No heel hooks

• No reaping
  

No-Gi Division Specifics:

• All valid submissions are legal for all adult levels

  • Heel Hooks/ twisting leg locks prohibited in bouts with athletes on the UFC roster*

Officials

Referee:
The referee is the sole arbiter of the bout. The referee shall designate negative points, assign cautions, warnings, positional resets, disqualifications, start and stop the bout.

Judges:
The Judges shall determine the winner only if the the match is a bracket quarter, semi, or final match OR it is a main event or title match. Only the overtime will be judged and the winner will be selected based on aggression and urgency to score.

Scoring Criteria

Matches are no longer scored by 3 judges. Instead, if the match has not seen a submission victory by the end of regulation time - there will be a “First to Score” overtime round. During the “First to Score” overtime round if either athlete completes a scoring maneuver (takedown, sweep, guard pass, mount, back take, or knee on belly) and holds for the mandatory 3 second count the match will immediately end and the scoring athlete will be declared the winner.

If there is no point scoring maneuver completed within the “First to Score” overtime round the match will end with a draw.

If the match is a bracket quarter, semi, or final match or is a main event or title match then the Overtime only will be judged a winner will be selected based on aggression and urgency to score.

If one athlete receives a stalling penalty during the “First to Score” overtime round and the match ends with no scoring maneuver completed the athlete who did not receive a stalling penalty will be awarded the victory and declared the winner.

If the scoring maneuver lands in a locked submission - control and victory are not established until the defender has escaped the submission attempt and is out of danger.

OTHER NOTES

• All athletes will undergo a skin check to inspect for infectious diseases

• No smelly gear or gi’s will be allowed - you will be asked to change or forfeit if this is an issue

• Gi’s must be reasonably fitted

• Shirts or rashguards are not required for either Gi or No-Gi when competing but must be worn otherwise

• No vulgar or inappropriate attire may be worn at any time

• If you intentionally push or force your opponent off the mat platform you will be immediately disqualified and banned

• If you purposely flee the mat you will be disqualified

• Only one cornerman/woman permitted

• Shoes MUST be worn when not on the mats

• No cups or rigid athletic supports

• Underwear must be worn, no pulling or grabbing your opponents undergarments

• No shorts with pockets or strings on the outside (surf or basketball shorts)

• Wrestling shoes are permitted in no-gi matches.

• Slamming is allowed in all adult matches (as long as it’s not a spike directly on the head or neck)

  
  

LAST UPDATE: 11/24/2025