1. Categories

Novice (18 years and older): Less than 2 years of experience in martial arts (all disciplines combined) and a maximum of 5 fights (or 3 victories) in MMA or another full-contact sport. Tournament fights of 1 × 4 minutes do not count towards that total. ⚠️ The referees check the experience of each athlete and may exclude a fighter with too much experience from participation.

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

U16 – Youth B (14-15 years): no headshots (standing or on the ground), no KO, 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 will be fought according to the amateur rules (3 × 3 minutes, full amateur rules; hitting the head on the ground is allowed).
• Less than 8 participants: the final will be fought according to the novice rules.
• Refusing to fight according to amateur rules: a finalist who refuses forfeits and his opponent wins the final. He may continue to participate in Novice until he has reached the limit (3 wins or 5 fights).

Only U16 athletes come on Sunday.

3. Checklist before you come

• Identity document (required)
• Registration fee: € 15
• Registration: BMMAF for Belgian athletes (VBKBMO for Flemish athletes). For minors, parental consent is required when taking the license.
• Foreign athletes: permission from your own federation + insurance certificate for the competition, OR affiliation with the BMMAF (which covers insurance in addition to your health insurance or personal insurance) https://bmmaf.org/fr/rejoignez-nous/affiliations-membres/ 
• Official BMMAF equipment (€ 80): shorts, rashguard, shin guards. No other clothing allowed https://www.cognitoforms.com/BMMAF1/BMMAFCompetitionEquipment 
• Bring your own: dental guard (everyone), cross guard (men only)
• Equipment on site: gloves (all categories), helmet (only U16 and U18, no helmet in Novice)
• Weight categories are listed in the registration form.

4. Practical rules

• Weighing: Saturday and Sunday, 9h30 – 11h00, at the event location. Tolerance of +0.5 kg (e.g. category 70.3 kg → max. 70.8 kg). Weighing is mandatory on each competition day.
• Late arrival or absence at the weigh-in = fight cancelled, no refund.
• Preparation and competition zone: fighters + max. 2 coaches per team. No other assistants.

5. Vechtregels

Novice

IMMAF rules apply, without a helmet, with the following prohibitions above them:

• Hit the head on the ground
• Up-kicks to the head (from a position on the ground)
• Backfist in spinning backfist
• Slams

For finals, the full amateur rules apply according to amateur rules.

U18 / U16