Octagon Pro MMA Rules

Professional ranking MMA bouts are conducted under the Unified Rules of MMA and in the following weight classes:

• Strawweight – 52.2 kg
• Flyweight – 56.7 kg
• Bantamweight – 61.2 kg
• Featherweight – 65.8 kg
• Lightweight – 70.3 kg
• Welterweight – 77.1 kg
• Middleweight – 84.0 kg
• Light Heavyweight – 93.0 kg
• Heavyweight – over 93 kg

Women’s weight classes include: Strawweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight, and Featherweight, as well as an additional Atomweight division with a maximum weight limit of 48 kg.

Bout duration:

• Pro MMA: 3 x 5 minutes
• Pro-Am MMA: 3 x 3 minutes (MMA gloves and shin guards, no headgear)

Octagon Youth ΑΜ MMA Rules

1. Purpose:

   – These rules apply to all youth tournaments organized by Octagon Fighting.

   – Recognizes 8 age categories for amateur MMA: Adults 18+, Masters (+35), Youth U18 (16–17), Youth U16 (14–15), Youth U14 (12–13), Kids U12(10-11), Kids U10(8-9), Kids U8(6-7).

2. Jurisdiction:

   – The referee is the sole authority in managing a match.

3. Rounds:

   – U18 (16–17)+ Adults: 2 rounds of 3 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

   – U16 (14–15): 1 round of 4 minutes.

   – U14 (12–13): 1 round of 3 minutes.

   – U12 (10-11): 1 round of 2 minutes

   – U10 (8-9): 1 round of 2 minutes

   – U8 (6-7): 1 round of 2 minutes

4. Match Stoppage:

   – Only the referee or ringside physician can enter the cage/ring and stop the match.

5. Judging:

   – Competitors are evaluated by the referee, with a second judge consulted if needed.

6. Scoring System:

   – Uses unified criteria for adults and youth to determine the winner based on effective technique application.

7. Warnings:

   – One warning issued for: grabbing the cage, holding opponent’s gear, or extended fingers toward the opponent’s face (eye poke).

8. Fouls:

   – Includes headbutting, eye contact, biting, hair pulling, strikes to the spine or back of the head, throat strikes, groin strikes, knees/kicks to the head of a grounded opponent, and more (28 fouls listed).

   – Additional restrictions for youth:

     – U8, U,10, U12, U14, U16, U18: No head/face strikes.

     – U8, U,10, U12,U14: No knee strikes, ground strikes, bicep/calf strikes, wristlocks, leg submissions, omoplata, suplex, guillotine chokes, or knee kicks.

     – U16: Similar restrictions, with limited ankle locks allowed (straight leg only).

     – U18: Allows closed-fist body strikes on the ground, limited ankle locks, and guillotine chokes from the ground only.

9. Prohibited Techniques:

   – Elbow/forearm strikes, heel hooks, neck/spine submissions, and knees to the head are banned across all youth categories.

10. Foul Penalties:

    – Fouls result in point deductions or disqualification at the referee’s discretion.

    – A fouled competitor has up to 5 minutes to recover.

11. Injuries:

    – From legal strikes: Severe injury results in a TKO loss for the injured fighter.

    – From intentional fouls: Severe injury leads to disqualification of the offender; lesser injuries deduct 2 points.

    – From accidental fouls: May result in no contest, technical decision, or technical draw based on timing and scoring.

12. Weight Classes:

 -U8-12: -21kg to +42kg

    – U14: 34kg to +55kg.

    – U16: 42kg to +66kg.

    – U18: -50kg to +84kg.

    – Weigh-ins occur on fight day with a 500g allowance.

13. Medical Requirements:

    – All fighters must have a valid athlete health card.

    – Pre-fight weigh-ins and rules briefings are overseen by the organizing committee.

14. Equipment:

    – Gloves: 8 oz, open-fingered, Velcro-strapped.

    – Attire: MMA shorts, no shoes, mandatory shin guards and short-sleeve rashguard.

    – Protective gear: Mouthguard mandatory, groin protector mandatory for men, optional for women.

15. Fighting Area:

    – Cage or tatami (mat).

16. Safety Requirements:

    – Hand wrapping is optional for youth.

    – No foreign substances (e.g., Vaseline) allowed.

    – Hair must not obstruct vision or pose a safety risk.

17. Match Outcomes:

    – Submission (tap out, verbal), knockout (body), TKO (referee/doctor stoppage), decision, disqualification, or forfeit.

18. Scoring Criteria:

    – Prioritizes effective striking/grappling, takedowns, submission attempts, and dominant positions.

    – Referee determines the winner, with a second judge’s input for close matches.

Octagon Adults AM MMA Rules

Unified Rules for Amateur and Competitions

1. Purpose:

   – Applies to tournaments organized by Octagon Fighting

   – Recognizes five categories: Adults 18+, Master 1 (+35).

2. Jurisdiction:

   – The referee is the sole authority in managing a match.

3. Rounds:

   – AM MMA: 3 rounds of 2 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

4. Match Stoppage:

   – Only the referee or ringside physician can enter the ring/cage and stop the match.

5. Judging:

   – AM MMA: Evaluated by the referee, with a second judge if needed.

6. Scoring System:

   – Uses a 10-point must system.

7. Warnings:

   – One warning for: grabbing the cage, holding opponent’s gear, or extended fingers toward the opponent’s face (eye poke).

8. Fouls:

   – Same 28 fouls as youth rules (e.g., headbutting, eye pokes, groin strikes, etc.).

   – Master categories: No head/face strikes.

9. Prohibited Techniques:

   – Elbow/forearm strikes, heel hooks, neck/spine submissions, and knees to the head are banned in AM MMA.

10. Foul Penalties:

    – Same as youth rules: Point deductions or disqualification; 5-minute recovery for fouled fighters.

11. Injuries:

    – Same as youth rules for legal strikes and intentional/accidental fouls.

12. Weight Classes: ADULTS (18+)

WOMEN

-48 kg,-52 kg,-57 kg,-62 kg,-66 kg,-70 kg,+70kg

MEN

-62 kg,-66 kg,-70 kg,-77 kg,-84 kg,-92 kg,-100 kg,+100 kg

    – AM weigh-ins on fight day or one day before.

13. Medical Requirements:

    – Valid athlete health card required.

    – Weigh-ins and rules briefings overseen by the organizing committee.

14. Equipment:

    – Same as youth: 8 oz gloves, MMA shorts, no shoes, mandatory shin guards and short-sleeve rashguard.

    – Women may wear long-sleeve tops/leggings for religious/cultural reasons with prior approval.

15. Fighting Area:

    – AM MMA: Cage or tatami.

16. Safety Requirements:

    – Hand wrapping optional.

    – Same appearance and substance rules as youth.

17. Match Outcomes:

    – Submission, TKO, unanimous/majority/split decision, draw (unanimous/majority/split), disqualification, forfeit, technical draw, technical decision, no contest.

    – In tournaments, a fourth round may be added to avoid draws/no contests.

18. Scoring Criteria:

    – Prioritizes effective striking/grappling, followed by effective aggression and cage control (rarely used).

    – 10-point must system: 10–10 (equal), 10–9 (close), 10–8 (dominant), 10–7 (total dominance, rare).

Octagon Striking Rules

Fighters undergo categorization based on both weight and experience.

Allowed Techniques:

• All hand hits to the head.

• All kicks on legs, chest, and head (note that knee kicks prohibited ).

•Each round is scored independently by a panel of judges using a 10-point must system, where the winner of each round receives 10 points, and the loser receives 9 or less. Strong and accurate strikes are key to scoring points in kickboxing.

Disallowed Techniques:

• Any attacks targeting the back, back of the head, neck, knees, or groin.

• Striking or kicking a fallen opponent.

• Disregarding tatami referee’s commands.

• Initiating grabs or takedowns (holding and kicking with a knee allowed only once in a single action).

Bout time: Consists of 2 rounds, each lasting 2 minutes.

 Rounds:

   – U18 (16–17)+ Adults: 2 rounds of 2 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

   – U16 (14–15): 2 rounds of 1,5 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

   – U14 (12–13): 1 round of 3 minutes.

   – U12 (10-11): 2 rounds of 1,5 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

   – U10 (8-9): 2 rounds of 1,5 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

   – U8 (6-7): 2 rounds of 1 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

Weight Classes:

    -U8-12: -21kg to +42kg

    – U14: 34kg to +55kg.

    – U16: 42kg to +66kg.

– U18: -50kg to +84kg.

    – +Men: -62kg to +100kg.

    – + Women: -48kg to +70kg.

    – Weigh-ins occur on fight day with a 500g allowance.

Determination of Winner:

• Winner is declared by knocking the opponent out of the fight for over 10 seconds (Knockout KO).

• Winner is appointed in case of the opponent’s submission (Technical Knockout TKO).

• The winner is determined by the Ring referee after tallying points for wellexecuted hits.

Obligatory Protectors:

• Teeth protector.

• Groin protectors (Men), breast protector cup-type (Women).

• Boxing gloves of a minimum weight of 12 oz.

• Shin protectors.

• Head guard.

Octagon Grappling Rules

Match Duration

1.1) The time limit

U8: 2 minutes / U10,12,14: 3 minutes / U16, U18: 4 minutes / Adults: 5 minutes

1.2) 

Weight Classes:

  -U8-12: -21kg to +42kg

    – U14: 34kg to +55kg.

    – U16: 42kg to +66kg.

– U18: -50kg to +84kg.

    – +Men: -62kg to +100kg.

    – + Women: -48kg to +70kg.

    – Weigh-ins occur on fight day with a 500g allowance.

2.1) The referee is the highest authority in a match. The referee’s ruling on the result of each match can not be contested. The referee oversees all match scoring and enforcement of rules.

2.2) Octagon Grappling matches follow traditional BJJ point scoring: 4 for the mount, 4 for the back, 3 for a guard pass, 2 for a sweep, 2 for a take down, 2 for knee on stomach, and 2 for a solid submission attempt that was stopped out of bounds.

2.3) Points will be awarded for the mount position when the competitor on top is sitting on the opponent’s torso (whether the opponent is belly up or belly down) and with two knees or one foot and one knee on the ground, facing the opponent and are clear of any trap on the heel.

2.4) Points will be awarded for the back control position when while behind the opponent, the competitor places their heels between the opponent’s thighs without crossing their feet and creates any form of lock on the upper body with their arms. Achieving back body triangle position will not award back control points.

2.5) Points will be awarded for a guard pass when the competitor clears the opponent’s lower body and has pinned the opponent’s shoulders to the mat or the opponent is laying on their side with no further attempt to improve position.

2.6) Points will be awarded for a sweep when a competitor initiates an attack from a bottom guard position, resulting in them assuming the top position. Points will also be awarded if the top competitor assumes the bottom position in pursuit of an attack. In both cases, the sweeping competitor must be clear of any submission to achieve points. EXAMPLE: Sweep points would be awarded if the competitor on top dropped back for a straight foot lock and the competitor on the bottom assumed the top position and cleared the submission attack.

2.7) Points will be awarded for a takedown when a competitor causes the opponent to land in bottom position on their back, side, or seated with an attack from the standing position. In the case of the opponent landing in a turtle position, points will only be awarded if the opponent is on all fours and the top competitor is behind them.

2.8) Two points will be awarded for a strong submission attempt that was stopped out of bounds as long as the referee does not deem that the defending competitor was attempting to force the action off of the mat as an escape.

2.9) Points will be awarded for the knee on belly position when a competitor, clear of any guard, places their knee or shin closest to the opponent, on the opponent’s upper body with their opposite knee fully off the ground, while the opponent is on their back.

2.10) All positions must be held and controlled for 3 seconds in order for points to be awarded.

2.11) There is no “Advantage” scoring.

2.12) A competitor that is rendered unconscious in a match will be removed from their remaining matches at the event.

2.13) Referees will bestow penalty points as a consequence for fouls and lack of combativeness/stalling.

2.14) In the case of a minor foul, the first penalty will result in a warning, a second penalty will result in the opponent being given 2 points, a third penalty will result in disqualification. Major fouls will result in immediate disqualification.

2.15) A match will be deemed over immediately if a competitor taps out, screams, loses consciousness, cries, loses control of bodily functions, vomits, or verbally gives up during the match.

2.16) The referee may end Kids division matches at their discretion due to potential for risk of injury.

2.17) The referee may declare that a competitor is demonstrating a lack of combativeness/stalling after timing 20 seconds of inactivity/lack of intention to progress position.

2.18) Point scoring can only be achieved through positional progression. EXAMPLE: A competitor can not exit the mount back to side control by their own choice and then score mount points again.

2.19) Grounded action will not be stood up as a consequence of a penalty unless it is for lack of combativeness during a double guard exchange.

2.20) At the conclusion of the match’s allotted time period, the competitor with the most points will be awarded the victory. If there is a tie on points, the competitor with the least penalties will be declared the victor. If a tie still remains, the referee will decide the match result via Referee Decision.

2.21) Referee Decision’s will be decided at the referee’s discretion based on threat of submission and positional dominance. If neither of these criteria are met, the competitor who most aggressively pursued these criteria will win.

Referee Decision Criteria

1. Submission Threat

2. Positional Dominance

3. Aggression

Referee Commands

3.1) To summon competitors to the match area, the referee will raise arms to shoulder height and call competitors forward.

3.2) To start the match, the referee will perform a single arm chopping motion toward the ground and declare “FIGHT!”

3.3) To pause the match or declare time out, the referee will raise both arms to shoulder height and straighten them in a horizontal chopping motion while declaring “STOP!”.

3.4) To bestow a penalty for stalling to a competitor, the referee will touch the competitor and raise a closed fist to shoulder height while declaring “ACTION!”

3.5) To bestow a penalty to a competitor for a foul, the referee will touch the competitor and raise a closed fist to shoulder height while declaring “PENALTY!”

3.6) To disqualify a competitor, the referee will cross their arms in an X shape and then perform a chopping motion towards the side of the competitor.

3.7) To award 2 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer and middle finger extended.

3.8) To award 3 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer, middle, and ring fingers extended.

3.9) To award 4 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers extended.

3.10) To deduct mistakenly awarded points, the referee will raise an open hand corresponding to the side of the competitor to shoulder height and perform a waving motion.

3.11) To announce the match result, the referee will raise the arm of the winning competitor.

Minor Fouls 

4.1) Pulling to guard without a grip on the opponent results in a penalty and the action being restarted standing.

4.2) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while standing or while defending an attack results in a penalty.

4.3) Taking 3 steps backwards away from the opponent’s guard while standing over them/disengaging out of guard results in a penalty.

4.4) Intentionally causing wardrobe malfunctions results in a penalty.

4.5) Gripping inside the opponent’s Gi sleeves or pants, or gripping NoGi attire results in a penalty.

4.6) Disobeying a referee order results in a penalty.

4.7) Unintentionally attempting a knee reap without a submission in Kids and White Belt division results in a penalty.

4.8) Talking to coaches or spectators during the match results in a penalty.

4.9) Exiting the mat prior to the referee declaring the winner results in a penalty.

4.10) Lack of combativeness/stalling will result in a penalty.

Major Fouls

5.1) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while in a submission in order to get the action stopped and reset results in a disqualification.

5.2) Exhibiting hostile behavior to officials, competitors, coaches, spectators results in a disqualification.

5.3) Striking, biting, pulling hair, applying pressure to genitals or eyes, or placing fingers and toes in the opponent’s mouth results in a disqualification.

5.4) Applying any lubricant to skin to reduce friction results in a disqualification.

5.5) Disobeying the referee’s order to stop while attacking a submission results in a disqualification.

5.6) If a competitor’s uniform is damaged in any way during the match and they are unable to immediately exchange it, they will be disqualified.

5.7) Attempting a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

5.8) Attempting to force the opponent to attack with a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

5.9) A third penalty of any kind results in a disqualification.

5.10) Intentionally causing an opponent to land on their head or neck as a part of a takedown results in a disqualification.

Τεχνική	Under 16	Beginner	Intermediate	Brown/Black	Expert
Standing Submissions	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Triangle w/ Head Pull	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Triangle w/o Head Pull	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Collar Chokes	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Arm Triangle Chokes	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Arm Bars	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Shoulder Locks	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Omaplata	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Ezekiel Choke	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Straight Ankle	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Jumping Guard	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Wrist Lock	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Knee Bar	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅
Toe Hold	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅
Bicep/Calf Slicer	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅
Knee Reap	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Neck Crank	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Heel Hook	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Spine Manipulation	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Leg Splitting Subs.	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Scissors Take Downs	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Slams	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌

Octagon Full Contact Rules

Time Duration 

5 till 7 years old 

2×1 min in the case of draw 30 sec overtime

30 seconds rest 

8 till 12 years old 

2×1,5 min in the case of draw 1 min overtime

1min rest

12 till 16 years old 

2×2 min in the case of draw 1 min overtime

1 min rest

16 and above 

2×3 min in the case of draw 2 min overtime

1 min rest 

Weight categories 

5-7

Boys: -20 kg / +20 kg

Girls: -20 kg / +20kg

8-9

Boys: -25 kg / +25 kg

Girls: -25 kg / +25 kg

10-11

Boys: -30 kg / +30 kg

Girls: -30 kg/ +30 kg

12-13

Boys: -50 kg/ +50 kg

Girls: -45 kg / +45 kg

14-15

Boys: -60kg / +60 kg /-70 kg/ +70 kg

Girls: -55 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

16-17

Boys: -60 kg / +60 kg /-70 kg/ +70 kg

Girls: -55 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

Seniors 

18-35

Men: -70 kg / -80 kg /-90 kg/ +90 kg

Women: -55 kg / -60 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

Masters 1 

35-40

Men: -70 kg / -80 kg /-90 kg/ +90 kg

Women: -55 kg / -60 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

Masters 2

40-45

Men: -70 kg / -80 kg /-90 kg/ +90 kg

Women: -55 kg / -60 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

Masters 3

45-50

Men: -70 kg / -80 kg /-90 kg/ +90 kg

Women: -55 kg / -60 kg / -65 kg / +65 kg

Forbidden Techniques:
A strict code of prohibited techniques encompasses:

• Any open-hand, fist, arm, or elbow attacks to the face or neck.
• Specific kicks like mae-geri jodan, hiza-geri-jodan, ushiro mawashi geri jodan, kakato
  otoshi jodan, and all jump kicks to the head in categories under 18 years old.
• Off-limits actions include attacks on the groin, deploying one’s head (atama),
  targeting an opponent’s knee, grabbing/holding an opponent, launching an attack on
  the back, or striking a fallen opponent.
• Disobeying tatami referee’s commands.