All participants must:
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Complete all registration requirements, waivers, and medical screening prior to participation.
The following table:
| Division | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| Flyweight | Up to 125 lbs (56.7 kg) |
| Bantamweight | Over 125 lbs to 135 lbs (61.2 kg) |
| Featherweight | Over 135 lbs to 145 lbs (65.8 kg) |
| Lightweight | Over 145 lbs to 155 lbs (70.3 kg) |
| Welterweight | Over 155 lbs to 170 lbs (77.1 kg) |
| Middleweight | Over 170 lbs to 185 lbs (83.9 kg) |
| Light Heavyweight | Over 185 lbs to 205 lbs (93.0 kg) |
| Heavyweight | Over 205 lbs to 265 lbs (120.2 kg) |
| Super Heavyweight | Over 265 lbs (120.2+ kg) |
• Official weigh-ins shall take place no later than twenty-four (24) hours before competition.
• Athletes failing to make weight may be subject to penalties, purse forfeiture, bout cancellation, or other sanctions.
• Championship contestants must make the exact championship weight limit unless otherwise approved by Combat Sambo League.
• Official Combat Sambo Jacket (Kurtka)
• Competition Shorts
• Approved 6-8 oz Gloves
• Mouthguard
• Groin Protector
• Shin Guards
• One competitor shall wear a Red Kurtka.
• One competitor shall wear a Blue Kurtka.
Headgear is not required.
The referee may reject any unsafe, altered, or damaged equipment.
• Three (3) Rounds
• Three (3) Minutes per Round
• One (1) Minute Rest Period Between Rounds
• Five (5) Rounds
• Three (3) Minutes per Round
• One (1) Minute Rest Period Between Rounds
• Punches to the head and body
• Kicks to the head, body, and legs
• Knee strikes to the body and legs
• Throws
• Takedowns
• Sweeps
• Clinch fighting
• Punches to the head and body
• Hammerfists to the head and body
• Chokes
• Joint locks
• Positional control
• Escapes and reversals
• Armbars
• Kimuras
• Americanas
• Shoulder Locks
• Straight Ankle Locks
• Kneebars
• Toe Holds
• Rear Naked Chokes
• Guillotine Chokes
• Triangle Chokes
• Arm Triangle Chokes
Following a successful throw or takedown, athletes may continue fighting on the ground.
Ground engagement is limited to twenty (20) seconds.
The twenty-second count begins when both athletes establish contact with the competition surface following a throw, takedown, or scramble.
Athletes must demonstrate active offense through:
• Effective striking
• Submission attempts
• Positional advancement
• Escapes or reversals
If the twenty-second period expires, or if meaningful action ceases, the referee shall restart the contest in the standing position.
A grounded athlete is any athlete with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet touching the competition surface.
The following actions are prohibited:
• Headbutts
• Eye Gouging
• Biting
• Hair Pulling
• Fish Hooking
• Groin Attacks
• Strikes to the Spine
• Strikes to the Back of the Head
• Small Joint Manipulation
• Throat Strikes
• Elbow Strikes
• Knee Strikes to the Head
• Heel Hooks
• Kicking or Stomping a Grounded Opponent
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Attacking After Referee Stoppage
• Verbal Warning
• Point Deduction
• Immediate Disqualification
Repeated fouls may result in progressive penalties.
Intentional fouls causing injury may result in immediate disqualification.
A contest may be won by:
• Knockout (ΚΟ)
• Technical Knockout (TKO)
• Submission
• Technical Submission
• Immediate Victory by Total Throw
• Judges' Decision
• Medical Stoppage
• Opponent Retirement
• Disqualification
A TKO may be declared when:
• The referee determines an athlete can no longer intelligently defend themselves.
• The ringside physician stops the contest.
• The athlete's corner retires the athlete.
• The athlete is unable to continue due to legal techniques sustained during competition.
A contest may be immediately ended when an athlete executes a clean, controlled, high-amplitude throw causing the opponent to land predominantly on the back while the throwing athlete remains standing and demonstrates clear control.
The referee shall have discretion to award an Immediate Victory by Total Throw.
• Three (3) Judges
• Ten-Point Must Scoring System
• Round-by-Round Scoring
1. Effective Striking
2. Effective Throws and Takedowns
3. Effective Grappling
4. Submission Attempts
5. Aggression
6. Control of the Contest
Judges shall place particular emphasis on effective offensive action and successful throwing techniques.
• Unanimous Decision
• Split Decision
• Majority Decision
• Split Draw
• Majority Draw
Championship contests ending in a draw shall result in the defending champion retaining the title unless an overtime round has been announced prior to the event.
The referee has full authority over the contest and may:
• Start or stop the contest
• Pause action
• Issue warnings
• Deduct points
• Restart athletes in the standing position
• Stop the contest to protect athlete safety
• Disqualify competitors for serious or repeated fouls
The referee's decision regarding contest conduct shall be final.
The ringside physician may:
• Examine any athlete at any time
• Stop a contest for medical reasons
• Remove an athlete from participation
• Require emergency medical treatment
• Recommend or impose medical suspensions
Medical determinations made by the ringside physician shall be final.
All competitors, coaches, managers, and corner personnel shall conduct themselves professionally and in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
Prohibited conduct includes:
• Verbal Abuse of Officials
• Interference with Medical Personnel
• Threatening Behavior
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Failure to Follow Official Instructions
Violations may result in warnings, penalties, removal from the competition area, or disqualification.
Contests shall take place within a Combat Sambo League approved competition area.
Approved areas include:
• Enclosed Combat Cage
• Elevated Platform
• Approved Combat Sambo Mat Area
The competition area must provide adequate safety padding and sufficient space for unrestricted competition.
The referee may stop the contest if athletes enter an unsafe position near the boundary.
• Coaches or managers may submit a formal protest concerning administrative or procedural matters.
• Judging decisions and referee discretion shall not be subject to protest.
• Combat Sambo League officials shall review protests and issue a final determination.
• All protest decisions shall be final and binding.
Combat Sambo is a full-contact combat sport involving inherent risks, including serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or death.
Participation in Combat Sambo League events constitutes voluntary acceptance of these risks.
Combat Sambo League reserves the right to interpret and enforce these rules in the interest of athlete safety, fair competition, and preservation of the principles of Combat Sambo.
All rulings made by Combat Sambo League officials shall be final and binding during sanctioned competition.