Combat Sports Report $5000 Invitational Official Rules and Scoring Criteria

Mansfield, MA - Combat Sports Report launched December 31st 2023 with a simple mission. To give MMA Fighters & Submission Grapplers a platform to hype their fights, sell more tickets, and share their unique stories. What better way to gain exposure and build relationships with fighters nation-wide than an Invitational Submission Grappling Tournament? Through diligent research and live scouting, Combat Sports Report has invited relevant grapplers & MMA fighters have shown they bring the action!

Here are the Official Rules and Scoring Criteria for the Event!

Time Limits and Match Procedure:

All 16 Man Tournament Matches will consist of a: 7 minute regulation period. 

During the regulation period no formal points will be awarded; however, the referee will be scoring the match in its entirety based on the Judging and Scoring Criteria (see below). 

Upon expiration of the regulation period, should no submission occur, the referee will render a decision and the winner will advance. 

The tournament is single elimination; but, should a match winner be unable to advance the referees will collaborate to chose an eliminated fighter to return to the competition as a replacement. 

The tournament champion will be awarded $5000 cash.

Judging and Scoring Criteria:

The referee is the sole arbiter of the match.  In the event of regulation time expiring with neither competitor securing a submission, it is the referee who evaluate the regulation period based on effective submission attempts, positional control, sweeps & reversals, takedowns & throws, and finally aggression.

- Any submission attempt that disrupts a position or strategic approach will be considered an effective submission attempt.  The fighter with more significant attempts will be valued higher.

- Positional control will be evaluated based on the ability to strike one’s opponent.  The fighter in position to strike for a longer duration of time will be valued higher. (Top Man Bias)

- Effective takedowns & throws can be defined as taking an opponent off their feet in a controlling and offensive manner. The attacker must maintain positional control for 2 full seconds after a takedown has been completed.

- Slams are not permitted and are defined as malicious and intentionally driving one's opponent into the competition surface with force.

Allowable Techniques:

• Arm Locks

• Shoulder Locks

• All Chokes / Strangles

• Bicep / Calf Slicer

• Reaping

• Spine Locks / Twister

• Wrist Lock

• Neck Cranks

• Knee Bar / Straight Ankle Lock

• Scissor Takedown 

• Jumping Guard

• Flying Submissions 

• Z Lock / Hip Lock 

• Toe Hold 

• Heel Hook 

• Muffler (Covering of the Mouth and/or Nose)

Non Allowable Techniques:

• Slams

• Striking

• Stalling (Stand Up Rule In-Effect)

• Gripping Opponent's attire in a Non-Gi Match

Fouls and Penalties:

Fouls that can result in penalties or disqualifications. Some common fouls include:

• Eye-gouging or fish-hooking

• Striking

• Greasing

• Small Joint manipulation (must grab 4 or more fingers or toes.)

• Slams

• Hair Pulling

• Grabbing peripheral objects

• Holding the opponent’s shorts or attire (unless in a Gi match)

• Intentional fleeing the competition area

Referees have the authority to penalize fighters for committing fouls and the authority to determine when a foul has occured.

A warning may be issued for minor infractions, while more severe or repeated fouls can result in disqualification.

The severity of the penalty depends on the referee’s discretion and the impact of the foul on the opponent. 

Fighters must follow all instruction given by the referee.

Equipment and Attire:

Fighters are required to wear specific equipment and attire to ensure their safety and fair competition. According to the Unified Rules of Submission Grappling, fighters must wear:

• Approved shorts, spats, or gi pants, with no holes, pockets, or exposed zippers

• Women must wear a sports bra or tight-fitting top

Medical Personel:

There will be 1 medical professional on site to supervise this event.  Grapplers compete at your own risk.  The event coordinators, referees, venue, and staff assume no responsibility for any injuries, or bodily harm that may occur.  Our referees are there to stop a contest in the event of a submission but cannot prevent slips, trips, falls, or acts of god.  We ask you compete with the utmost of caution and deeply consider the risks assumed by entering this tournament. 

For the latest information on additional matches for this event, please Visit Our Website. All matches are live and subject to change.

Don't miss a moment of CS/R Invitational Fight Night live from the Envision Hotel on October 18th, 2025. Pre Show starts at 6:00pm ET 3:00pm PT, Live on Venture Combat.com