🎃 Modern Gladiator’s Monster Mash 🎃

Submission-Only Grappling for a Great Cause

Join us for Modern Gladiator’s Monster Mash — a high-energy grappling competition with a Halloween twist! This submission-only event brings together grapplers of all experience levels for a day of skill, sportsmanship, and community support.

Every match helps raise funds for local youth grappling programs, empowering the next generation of athletes with training, opportunities, and resources.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, both registrations and donations are tax-deductible. Registration is $50 — with a fair ticket value of about $10, that means roughly $40 counts as a charitable donation to support our young grapplers! 🙌
Even if you can’t compete, you can still make a difference with a donation — every dollar helps provide opportunities, training, and resources for local youth grappling. 💀🎃
Come grapple, cheer, and give — because every match builds the future of our kids on and off the mats.

Whether you’re stepping on the mat in costume (see guidelines) or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll be investing in the future of young grapplers in our community.

Event Highlights

* 7-minute submission-only matches
* Beginner & Advanced divisions
* Sudden death overtime: first takedown with control wins
* Halloween Costumes Encouraged! (See Costume Rules)
* All proceeds go directly to supporting local youth grappling

👻 Support the cause. Show your heart. Test your skill.
💀 Grapple for good — because every round builds the future of youth grappling!

Fees:

$50 men's divisions

$25 women's divisions

$25 children's divisions

Weigh-ins: Start at 8:30 AM
Date: October 25

Mat Area Notice

To ensure smooth scheduling and clear organization:

* Beginner Division matches will take place on the entry room mat (front mat area).
* Advanced Division matches will take place on the new larger mat in the main training area.
* Both divisions will run concurrently. Please remain near your assigned mat area and listen for your name when called.
* Event staff will coordinate brackets to ensure athletes receive adequate rest between matches.

This setup keeps the flow of competition moving efficiently while giving each division its own dedicated space.

Official Grappling Ruleset

Submission-Only Tournament – Unified Rules for All Divisions

1. Match Format

* Regulation Time: 7 minutes, submission-only.
* Overtime: If no submission occurs, the match proceeds to Sudden Death – first grappler to score a valid takedown with dominant control wins (see Section 6).

2. Divisions

Beginner Division
Intended for:

* Competitors with less than 2 years of total grappling experience across all styles (BJJ, wrestling, judo, sambo, etc.).
* Recreational or entry-level grapplers with limited or no competition background.

Restrictions:

* Heel hooks prohibited
* Standing submissions prohibited (e.g., standing guillotine, standing kimura)
* All general safety rules apply (see Section 4)

Advanced Division
Intended for:

* Competitors with 2 or more years of consistent grappling experience
* Those with formal training or previous competition experience

Additional Techniques Allowed:

* Heel hooks permitted
* Standing submissions permitted (must be applied with control)
* Reaping is allowed and recognized as a valid control position
* Muffling permitted – covering the opponent’s mouth/nose to disrupt breathing is allowed when applied safely and with control

3. Costume Rules (Halloween Theme)

Competitors are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, but safety comes first. All costumes must follow these rules:

* Base Layer Required: This is a no-gi event. Rash guard and shorts or spats must be worn under any costume.
* No Hard or Sharp Pieces: Costumes cannot include helmets, armor, props, plastic, or metal parts.
* No Face/Body Paint: Paint, makeup, glitter, or substances that could transfer to mats/opponents are prohibited.
* Mobility & Safety: Costumes must not block vision, breathing, or restrict safe grappling.
* No Loose/Dangling Items: Capes, chains, belts, or accessories that could snag or wrap are not allowed.
* Organizer Discretion: Event staff reserve the right to approve or disallow costumes for safety.

*Tip: Think fun, simple, and safe — themed rash guards, grappling-friendly spats, or soft accessories that can be removed before the match are ideal.*

4. Legal Techniques (All Divisions Unless Noted)

* Joint locks on arms, shoulders, legs, and feet (e.g., armbars, Americana, knee bar, toe hold, straight ankle lock)
* Chokes and strangles (air or blood-based)
* Positional control from mount, back control, side control, turtle, and knee-on-belly
* Controlled takedowns that meet safety and positional criteria
* Reaping the knee (Advanced only)
* Standing submissions (Advanced only)
* Muffling (Advanced only)

5. Illegal Techniques (All Divisions)

* Spinal attacks including can openers and cervical cranks
* Heel hooks (Beginner division only)
* Standing submissions (Beginner division only)
* Muffling (Beginner division only)
* Flying scissor takedowns (kani basami, etc.)
* Jumping guard pulls
* Slams to escape submissions or cause injury
* Small joint manipulation (fingers/toes)
* Striking of any kind
* Grabbing clothing in no-gi divisions
* Unsportsmanlike/invasive actions (oil checks, fish-hooking, fingers to throat, etc.)
* Using cage/walls (if present) to gain unfair advantage
* Intentional stalling or disengagement

6. Division Consolidation Policy

If participant numbers are low in one or both divisions, organizers reserve the right to combine divisions. In such cases, matches will follow the Beginner division rule set to prioritize safety and fairness.

7. Sudden Death Overtime – Takedown Criteria

If no submission occurs during the 7-minute match, the first grappler to score a valid takedown with dominant control wins.

Definition of a Takedown:
A maneuver in which one athlete causes the opponent to lose balance and transition from a standing position to the ground, while the initiating athlete maintains or achieves a position of advantage or control.

Key Components:

1. Both athletes start standing.
2. Attacker applies force/technique that causes the fall.
3. Clear cause-effect link.
4. Attacker lands in top control (side control, mount, back, seatbelt, knee-on-belly, north/south, etc.) OR maintains immediate dominant control upon landing.

Not a Takedown:

* Guard pulls (even if followed by a pass).
* Opponent slips or trips unassisted.
* Throw without control (attacker ends underneath).
* Both athletes fall without clear initiator.

*A successful takedown must result in decisive control in a dominant grappling position.*

🏆 Team Awards & School Recognition

In addition to individual competition, Modern Gladiator’s Monster Mash will track and reward schools for the overall success of their students.

How Team Points Are Earned:

* Win by Submission: 3 points
* Win by Sudden Death Takedown: 2 points
* Participation: 1 point per athlete registered (per school)

Team Champion Award:

* At the conclusion of the event, the school with the highest total score will be recognized as the Monster Mash Team Champion.
* A special award will be presented to the winning academy, and results will be shared on our social media platforms.

This system ensures both individual excellence and team spirit are celebrated. Schools are encouraged to bring athletes across all divisions and skill levels — every match counts!

Modern Gladiator's Monster Mash

Every match helps raise funds for local youth grappling programs, empowering the next generation of athletes with training, opportunities, and resources