1. Categories

Beginners (18 years and older): less than 2 years of combat sports experience (all disciplines combined) and a maximum of 5 fights (or 3 victories) in MMA or other full contact sports. Tournament fights of 1 × 4 minutes do not count towards this total. ⚠️ The referees check the experience of each athlete and may refuse the participation of a fighter deemed too experienced.

U18 – Youth A (16-17 years old): helmet mandatory; no headshots on the ground.

U16 – Youth B (14-15 years old): no headshots (standing or on the ground), no knockouts, limited submissions. New category this year, limited to 16 athletes per weight category.

2. Program

Novice Finals:

• 8 participants or more in the category: the final is played according to amateur rules (3 × 3 minutes, complete amateur rules, headbutt on the ground allowed).
• Less than 8 participants: the final will be played according to the novice rules.
• If 8 fighters in the category and one of the two finalists refuse to fight amateur, they then declare a forfeit, and their opponent wins the final. They remain eligible in Novice status as long as they have not reached the limit (3 wins or 5 fights).

The U16s only play on Sundays.

3. Checklist –

• Identity document (mandatory)
• Registration fee: 15 €
• Affiliation: BMMAF – VBKBMO authorized for Flanders until the end of 2026.
• For minors, parental authorization is requested when the license is obtained. 
• Foreigners: permission to leave your federation + insurance certificate for the competition, OR BMMAF affiliation (which covers insurance in addition to your health insurance) 
• Official BMMAF equipment (80 €): shorts, rashguard, shin guards. No other clothing allowed → 
• To bring your own: mouth guard (all), shell (men only)
• Provided on site: gloves (all categories), helmet (U18 only)

Affiliations BMMAF

BMMAF equipment

4. Times of the day

• Weighing: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, at the event venue. Tolerance of +0.5 kg (e.g. category 70.3 kg → max 70.8 kg). Weighing is mandatory every day of competition.
• Delay or absence at the weigh-in = match cancelled, no refund.
• Preparation and competition area: maximum 2 fighters + 2 coaches per team. 

5. Rules of combat

Novice

The IMMAF rules apply, with the following prohibitions in addition:

• Ground-level headshots
• Up-kicks to the head (from a standing position)
• Backfist and spinning backfist
• Slams

For finals played under amateur rules, the complete amateur rules apply.

U18 / U16