Hereford Open: No Gi Groundfighting Championships

Our Aim

To provide a small and friendly event to give competitors as much fight experience as is possible.

Our Guarantee

All competitors will get a minimum of two fights

75% of competitors will get a minimum of three fights

The categories will be completed and the medals presented by 5.30pm

We will provide bleacher seating for 120 spectators

A warm-up area will be provided for the competitors

Weigh-in: All categories 11:30

Spectators pay on the door £3

Weight categories are intended as a guide only and may be combined and/or adjusted if necessary.

RULES

A rules meeting/demonstration will take place before the fighting starts.

Attire:
Competitors must wear shorts and rash guard / t-shirt.

Contest time:
3 minutes

Method of Competition:
Pools/Leagues or Double Elimination

Start:
Fighters face each other in kneeling position.

In the event of a stalemate position, the fight will be re-started from the kneeling position.

Fighters may go as high as one foot up/one knee down

Any sign of rising higher than one foot up/one knee down the referee will call break and restart the fight.

Fighters may go higher than one foot up/one knee down when attempting to pass guard or attacking the back of a turned opponent.

Methods of winning:
Making the opponent submit with one of the recognised techniques.
If the contest goes to time the referee will gave a decision based upon submission attempts. Extra time will be used if required.

Submissions:
Arm locks (elbow & shoulder joint)
Leg locks (straight knee bar only)
Straight Achilles / Calf & Biceps Crush
Strangles & Chokes

Illegal techniques:
Pressure points to the face
Locks applied in a jerking or wrenching manner.
Biting, eye gauging, fish hooking.
Guard slams
Heel Hooks
Neck Cranks
Minor Joint locks
Any striking techniques
Poor sportsmanship
Stalling
Hyper-extension of the opponents back or the neck
Any move that produces a rotational stress on the opponents knee

Penalty Points:
Depending on the severity of the infringement the referee may give one free warning, after this points will be awarded to the opponent. Continued infringements will lead to disqualification. Serious infringements may lead to instant disqualification.

All locks and strangles must be squeezed on. Any technique executed in a manner which is capable of injuring the other person can lead to instant disqualification.

Stalling:
Once position has been established fighters must look to advance their position or work for the submission (seniors). The referee will give one warning for stalling and will then award points to the opponent if the fighter remains inactive.

Fighter/Coach Comments

Chris Rees (Gracie Barra Swansea) 'would DEFINATELY recommend this comp to anyone. It is the perfect opportunity to get some competition experience.'

Serina Remedios (VT Jiu Jitsu) 'I would recommend them to anyone. Very well run and friendly.'

The Fighting Doc (Pedro Bessa Wales) 'Want to know how to run a comp, see Dave Coles and Simon Small at The Combat Academy.'

Scuba (Gracie Barra Swansea) 'The Hereford comp is a brilliant comp for beginners, you start off the knees so dont have to worry about takedowns etc, only 3min fights (or possible 4min not sure) and your guaranteed at least 2 fights even if you lose so you get some experience as well. Also if we have had any people from our club enter after a short period of training Dave and the guys have done their best to pair them with people of a similar experience.'

Rob (Gracie Barra Birmingham)  'The comps that Dave & Simon run in Hereford would be an ideal starter.'

Rob T (Gracie Barra Swansea) 'The Combat Academy run the only tournaments I know which have started and ended on time, every single event.'

Richard 'Shakey' Shore (Tillery MMA) 'I would recommend this to anyone, really good atmosphere with no attitudes, guarenteed several fights which cant be bad.'

Faixa Rua (Cagewarriors Forum) Man in Rio there is a say, "if Colesy do bracket you gonna be home for tea"