Submission Grappling (ADCC)·Combat Sports

ADCC

🏛️Official — ADCC

Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World Championship Rules· 2026 ADCC Rules — premier no-gi submission grappling biennial World Championship; 10-minute match (5+5 min points/no-points split); all submissions legalOpen source

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Section 1: Introduction

The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World Championship is the most prestigious no-gi submission grappling event in the world. Founded in 1998 by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE royal family to identify the world's best grappler regardless of style (BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, catch wrestling), ADCC is held every two years (Las Vegas-based since 2022). ADCC's combat-realistic ruleset emphasizes submission attempts over guard pulling — all submissions including heel hooks are legal in every weight class, and prolonged stalling or "pulling guard" produces negative points. See sibling UWW Grappling Rules entry for the alternative international (Olympic-recognized) ruleset.

Section 2: Equipment

No-gi only: rashguard + shorts (no boards shorts, no pockets)
Rashguard must cover torso; no zippers
Mouthguard recommended; protective cup permitted (men); women: chest guard optional
No shoes, no jewelry, nails trimmed, hair tied back
Match attire color: typically white/black-belt rashguard or competition kit by organizer

Section 3: Playing Area

Mat: 10m × 10m competition mat (larger than IBJJF standard 8m)
Padded outer safety zone
Center line + marking for restart positioning
Single championship mat at finals; multiple mats during qualification rounds

Section 4: Players & Officials

Two competitors per match
Weight classes (Adult Male, kg): -66, -77, -88, -99, +99
Weight classes (Adult Female, kg): -60, +60
Absolute (open weight): all male competitors compete together for absolute championship
Officials: 1 mat referee + 2 corner judges + scoring official + timekeeper

Section 5: Rules of Play

Match Length (Open Class / Championship)

Total: 10 minutes (qualifiers); 15 minutes (semifinals + final)
First 5 minutes: no points awarded — pure submission hunt
Second 5 minutes (and any overtime): points awarded for positional dominance

Points (when applicable)

4 points: Mount, Back Mount, Mounted/Body Triangle
3 points: Passing Guard
2 points: Knee on Belly, Sweep
2 points: Takedown ending in dominant position

Submissions

All submissions legal in all categories (including heel hooks, knee bars, neck cranks, twisters)
Submission via verbal/tap = instant win

Overtime

If tied after regulation: sudden-death overtime (variable format by edition)
Common: extra time period focused on submission attempts; or referee decision based on aggression + activity

Section 6: Scoring

Decision priority: submission > points > referee decision (based on aggression, activity, near-finishes)
Tournament: single-elimination bracket per weight class + absolute
Gold/Silver/Bronze per weight + Absolute champion separately
Trial-system: ADCC East/West/North/South + Asia/Oceania/Europe trials feed Worlds

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Stalling: verbal warning → −1 point (negative); continued stalling can result in DQ
Pulling guard (in regulation): −1 point automatically (designed to penalize passive play)
Fleeing match area: −1 point
Slamming: DQ
Unsportsmanlike conduct: warning → DQ
Intentional injury: DQ
Anti-doping: ADCC anti-doping policy at championship level; WADA-aligned testing

Section 8: Safety Considerations

ADCC allows the full spectrum of submissions including high-injury-risk techniques (heel hooks, twisters). Athletes must demonstrate qualification + experience to compete (Trials system filters competitors). Mandatory pre-event medical screening. On-site team physician + EMT + ambulance for championship event. AED on-site. Skin-infection screening. Slamming prohibited. Referee authority to stop matches for safety. Concussion protocol per ADCC medical guidelines — head-impact assessment + return-to-competition clearance. Athletes responsible for verbal/tap submission timing — late taps can result in completed injuries.

ADCC

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Full Rulebook(11 sections)

Overview

How to win

The game

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Equipment

Section 3: Playing Area

Section 4: Players & Officials

Section 5: Rules of Play

Match Length (Open Class / Championship)

Points (when applicable)

Submissions

Overtime

Section 6: Scoring

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Playing the ball

Fouls & penalties

Equipment

Version History(1)

Variations of Submission Grappling(1)

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