Events

 Watch our YouTube channel short playlist to understand the Rules, game and motivation for Gladiator, Last Man Standing!

Registrations

Sign up early and save £20 on the late registration fee!

• Registration closes on February 9th.
• No registrations will be accepted on the day of the competition.
• All registrations and payments must be completed through Smoothcomp by February 9th.
• Payments are not accepted at the door except for spectators.

Level Up Your Takedown Game

After the success of Take-Me-Down, we are setting up a new league of combat grappling sport for the enjoyment of wrestlers and takedown enthusiasts.

If you’re eager to refine your takedown techniques and test your skills in a focused setting, this is your chance. Join us in this exhilarating division, where you’ll face off against opponents in your weight class and a safe ruleset detailed below.

Don’t miss this opportunity to push your limits and elevate your game. Sign up now and embark on a thrilling journey of competition and growth!

Rules & Format

Gladiator is a direct elimination tournament with a bronze fight.

Each round lasts for 4 minutes, with the clock stopping after a successful takedown, then restarting from the center.

A point is awarded for each takedown, followed by 3 seconds of ground control.

Ground control requires the competitor to maintain dominance over their opponent for a 3-second period.

Escaping ground control is only achieved by returning to a standing position; transitioning to a turtle position, for example, does not count as an escape.

The first competitor to accumulate 3 points wins the match, and once this occurs, the match concludes.

In the event of a tie, the referee will determine the winner based on demonstrated skills and initiative throughout the match.

DQ Maneuvers

The following techniques cause an immediate DQ for the perpetrator:

1. Head or neck spiking, including suplexes
2. Submission or submission attempt
3. Striking
4. Slamming

Penalty Maneuvers

The following techniques are punished with a penalty point. 3 penalty points cause a DQ.

1. Disengaging to avoid action
2. Leaving the combat area to avoid a takedown

Rules Summary

Rule Category	Description
Round Duration	Each round lasts for 4 minutes, with the clock stopping after a successful takedown, then restarting from the center.
Scoring	A point is awarded for each takedown, followed by 3 seconds of ground control.
Ground Control	Ground control requires the competitor to maintain dominance over their opponent for a 3-second period. A crackdown position in wrestling is a specific scenario that often occurs during a takedown attempt. Here is a definition: “A crackdown position in wrestling occurs when the offensive wrestler initiates a takedown, and both wrestlers end up on the mat side-by-side, with the defensive wrestler’s hips and legs facing outward while the offensive wrestler controls the legs from behind or underneath. The wrestlers are generally in close contact, and the offensive wrestler is trying to advance to a more dominant position.” Using this definition, we can further clarify that ground control requires their opponent to maintain dominance over their opponent for a 3 second period. Just ending up in crackdown or chest wrap is not enough to secure the point. Dominance must be achieved.
Escape Criteria	Escaping ground control is only achieved by returning back on your feet; transitioning to a turtle position does not count as an escape.
Winning the Match	The first competitor to accumulate 3 points wins the match, and once this occurs, the match concludes. If neither competitor accumulates 3 points, the competitor with the most points at the end of the 4-minute round wins the match.
Tie Breaker	In the event of a tie, the referee will determine the winner based on demonstrated skills and initiative throughout the match.
Disqualification (DQ) Maneuvers	The following techniques cause an immediate DQ for the perpetrator: Head or neck spiking, including suplexes, submission or submission attempt, striking, slamming.
Penalty Maneuvers	The following techniques are punished with a penalty point and 3 penalty points cause a DQ: disengaging to avoid action, leaving the combat area to avoid a takedown.

If you have any questions about the takedown ruleset, shoot us an email at info@ukgrapplers.com.

Divisions

Minimum age to participate in Gladiator is 9 years old.

Groups are split by male and female. Up to 14 years old boys and girls might have to be merged, depending on the number of entries.

The organisers will never merge by experience. If merging is needed, it can be by weigh or age one, when safe and fair to do so.

Groups with 2 competitors will run.

Experience level

• Experience level is not determined by jiu-jitsu belt rank. Some competitors may not have a jiu-jitsu background at all.

• The experience level is calculated based on the time spent in any form of stand-up takedown classes.

• Jiu-jitsu experience is not equivalent to wrestling experience. For example, a BJJ brown belt can still enter the Novice division in Gladiator if they have limited takedown experience.

• Stand-up classes include wrestling, stand-up BJJ takedown classes, judo, and similar disciplines.

• If someone has trained in stand-up takedown classes for less than a year, they are considered a Beginner.

• If your BJJ academy does not train takedowns, you are classified as a Beginner, regardless of your belt level.

Uniform

Athletes must follow the same guidelines as the No-Gi competitors:

• mandatory rashguard, board shorts, and optional spats and mouthguard.

In addition: the following gear is also allowed:

• ear protectors
• groin cups

Wrestling boots are not allowed on the mats. Socks are allowed.

Venue

This is the first time we host an event at the High Wycombe Judo Club. The centre offers a large dojo area where we will have 3 fighting mats, along with the podium, weigh in stations and medics.

Warm up mats will be available in one of the studio rooms, located at the same level as the dojo, showers and locker rooms.

Friends and family can watch your match from the bleachers positioned just in front of the mats.

Upstairs you will find a lovely bar with tables and windows overlooking the dojo on the one side, and a balcony with a view of the heath on the other side.

There is free parking on site and additional spaces are available on the neighbouring roads.

Event Day Schedule

Doors will open at 9.30 am for competitors and spectators.

Weigh in is available from 9.30, but you can weigh in at anytime during the day.

Matches will begin at 10 am.

Kids divisions will go first, followed by the Adults.

Event Day Instructions

• Please, arrive at the venue at least 90 minutes before your scheduled fight. If your fight is the first one of the day, it is sufficient to arrive when the doors open.

• Match start times are dynamic and will be updated throughout the day on Smoothcomp.

• Continuously check your match times, as brackets may shift due to submissions, no-shows, or other unforeseen circumstances.

• Ensure you are at the mat, with weigh-in completed, when your match is set to start. If you are not present, your name will be called three times.

• No-shows will be disqualified without a refund.

Weigh Ins

Weigh ins will be available during the whole day.

There is no weigh allowance and not making weight will result in a disqualification without refund.

You can change your weight within the change window publish on Smoothcomp.

 Spectators

The price is just £5 and you can purchase your entrance via cash or card payment on the door on the day of the event.

ALL SPECTATORS, including PARENTS OF KIDS COMPETING, also, have to pay the spectator fee.

FREE SPECTATOR ENTRY to kids under 12 years old.

COACHES – A limited number of free passes are available. Please see the coaches section for T&C.

The spectator fee allows you access to the event and the use of any facilities and allows us to continue bringing you a better event each time.

Coaches

Thank you for promoting the grappling arts setting an example for your athletes and for the children.

Being disrespectful or aggressive to any of our staff or other coaches and spectators may result in your competitor’s being DQ at any point. No excuses.

Admittance

Coaches are permitted to enter the venue exclusively through the spectator entrance.

Each team will be provided with a specific number of coach passes, which is determined by the number of individual athletes registered from their team/gym on Smoothcomp.

These passes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the reception desk on the event day.

It is mandatory for all coaches to present a valid photo ID and their Smoothcomp ID, indicating affiliation with the gym they are representing, and to hold at least a BJJ Blue Belt.

Our team will not engage in discussions regarding disputes.

The allocation of coach passes is as follows:

• 0-5 individual athletes = 1 coach pass
• 6-10 individual athletes = 2 coach passes
• 11-15 individual athletes = 3 coach passes
• 16-20 individual athletes = 4 coach passes
• 21+ individual athletes = 5 coach passes

This distribution is based on Smoothcomp entries, and we urge all participants to register their gym under the correct name format on Smoothcomp.

Any additional coaches will be considered spectators and must pay the spectator fee at the door on the event day.

Medics

A team of professional medics is available throughout the day. We hire professional specialised in combat sport events, for everybody’s peace of mind.