SUJU MMA Rules & Variations

SUJU MMA is built around one objective: own the center, drive the action outward, and score by pushing your opponent off The Mound™. Study the official rules, compare key variants, and join the Rules & Regulations Advisory Committee to help refine the sport.

Test it out in the gym and let us know what you think! Start the conversation on Reddit: The Official Reddit Page –  r/SUJU_MMA

Right now, The Mound™ is modeled around the 4m / 7m variation with a 20cm rise.

*Real demonstration videos are on the way.

Match Face-Off:

  • All rounds begin with a face-off in the center ring at the marked lines
  • Initial objective: push, pull, or throw the opponent out of the center ring, resulting in a center ring out OR takedown
  • Initiation: referee verbal command prepares fighters with “Ready” then the command “GO” to start the round

Match Duration:

  • Regular bouts: 3 rounds x 3 minutes
  • Championship bouts: 5 rounds x 3 minutes

Official Ruleset Format

  • No strikes are allowed during face-off
  • Open-hand thrusts (similar to sumo) are permitted
  • Takedowns, Sweeps, Clenching, Stand-up Grappling, Pushing, Pulling, and Throws are allowed
  • When a slip occurs, opponents are reset to positions when the slip occurred
  • No Submissions or Chokes are allowed
  • Stale Center Exception
    • If both fighters are at a standstill in the center and a center ring-out hasn’t occurred in a reasonable amount of time, the referee may instruct the fighters to “pick up the action/pace”. 
    • If the action doesn’t accelerate, the referee may call the command “fight”, which will open all legal strikes up and continues with the rules mapped out below in section “After a Center Ring-Out, Takedown, or Outer Platform Ring-Out“.
    • During this exception, no points are awarded and fight continues as though a center ring-out occurred (Example: Takedowns are now 3 points and outer platform ring-outs are 5-points (see section “Scoring & Judging” below))
    • This rule is intended to keep the momentum going.

Ground Contact During Face-Off (Shot Exception)

  • One knee may make momentary contact ONLY during an active takedown attempt (e.g., level change/penetration step/shot) and must be part of continuous forward action.
  • Knee contact must be momentary (recommended standard: ~1 second or less) and cannot be used to pause, stall, post, or rest weight.
  • If the knee remains down beyond “momentary,” or if a second knee or any other body part (hip, butt, back, shoulder) contacts the surface, it is ruled a takedown.


What happens after the center ring out or takedown? 👉 Click below!

Center Circle Ring-Outs:

  • If a takedown does not occur during the center ring-out, the referee announces “Fight” and the fight continues with the addition of striking. 
  • When the command “Fight” is announced, all legal strikes and techniques become permitted
  • The fight continues under standard SUJU MMA rulings and point system referenced below

Platform Ring-Outs & Takedowns:

  • When a platform ring-out or takedown occurs, the round time is paused and both fighters must reset back in the center circle on their marks ready for a face-off within a 10 second count. The referee will then reengage the main round timer with the command “Go”. The round re-initiates with the same face-off rules, and another center circle ring-out must occur to reinitiate strikes.
  • If one of the fighters does not enter the center circle within 10 seconds and is not ready to face off, that fighter receives a 2-point penalty and there will be another 10 seconds set. If the fighter is still not ready to face off by the 20 second mark, that fighter will lose that round.
  • *Preferred Option – “Ground & Pound”:  Intended to elongate play and to stall face-off reset 👉🏼 Review [Rule Variations Below]

Ground Contact After Center Ring-Out (1-Second Rule + Shot Exception)

  • Hands may briefly touch the surface for balance or during a takedown entry or strike, under a 1-second rule at the referee’s discretion.
  • One knee may make momentary contact ONLY during an active takedown attempt (e.g., level change/penetration step/shot) and must be part of continuous forward action.
  • Knee contact must be momentary (recommended standard: ~1 second or less) and cannot be used to pause, stall, post, or rest weight.
  • If the knee remains down beyond “momentary,” or if a second knee or any other body part (hip, butt, back, shoulder) contacts the surface, it is ruled a takedown
  • Ground and Pound is not permitted (Review Variation Below that Permits)
  • Submissions and Chokes are not permitted (Review Variation Below that Permits)
  • Head-butting: Using the head to strike any part of the opponent is prohibited
  • Eye gouging: Attacks to the eyes using fingers, chin, or elbows are illegal
  • Throat strikes or grabbing the trachea: Targeted attacks to the throat are not allowed
  • Strikes to the spine or back of the head: Includes a one-inch margin from the spine and base of skull
  • Any strike to a grounded opponent: Defined as a fighter with any body part other than hands or feet on the mat
  • Pile-driving/spiking: Driving an opponent head-first into the surface is illegal
  • Fish hooking: Inserting fingers into the opponent’s mouth, nose, or ears to manipulate their face
  • Hair pulling: Using hair to control or submit an opponent
  • Small joint manipulation: Bending or twisting individual fingers or toes is not allowed
  • Holding gloves, shorts, or gear: Gripping opponent’s attire or equipment is prohibited
  • Grabbing mat or slope edge: Using these for leverage is not permitted
  • Biting or spitting: Any form is considered a foul
  • Pointing fingers at the opponent’s face: Extended fingers toward the eyes is illegal
  • Groin attacks: All forms including striking, grabbing, or pinching
  • Inserting fingers into cuts or orifices: Targeting wounds or body cavities is a foul
  • Clawing, pinching, or twisting the skin: Designed to inflict pain
  • Timidity or stalling: Avoiding engagement or feigning injury can result in penalty
  • Fighting after a takedown or a outer platform ring-out
  • Abusive language: Discriminatory or derogatory language is banned
  • Ignoring referee instructions: Failure to comply can lead to disqualification
  • Attacking after the final bell or during breaks: Any post-time offensive actions are illegal
  • Attacking an opponent under referee care: All offense must cease once a fight is stopped
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct: Actions causing unnecessary harm after a bout has ended
  • Corner interference: Coaches may not interfere with or distract referees
  • Intentional fouls can result in disqualification or mandatory point deductions
  • Accidental fouls resulting in injury are judged based on bout progress (No Contest or Technical Decision).
  • Visible loss of bodily control (vomiting, urination, feces) results in TKO via medical stoppage
  • Referee procedures include calling time, assessing safety, and determining penalties
  • Up to five minutes recovery time allowed for groin shots, eye pokes, or illegal head strikes

SUJU MMA Point System:

  • 1-point: A Takedown before the first ring out occurs
  • 2-points: Forcing opponent out of the center ring (Center Ring Out)
  • 3-points: A Takedown anywhere on The Mound™ after the first ring out occurs
    • Additional +2 point penalty if fighter intentional takes the fight to the ground to avoid a platform ring out.
    • If a center ring-out and a take down occur at the same time, 3-points are awarded.
  • 5-points (*or round ending in select tournaments with high turnout): Forcing opponent out of the platform outer ring (Platform Ring Out)
  • Points are awarded in real time and displayed similar to a wrestling match
 

There is a 2-point penalty for not resetting for a face-off 10 seconds following a reset, takedown, or platform ring-out (dependent on rule variation in practice). Another 10 seconds is immediately set, and if the fighter is still unable to face-off, that round is lost.

There are 3-5 licensed judges that score each round confirming that all points are accurate and confirmed at the end of each round (Video review may be used if accessible). An opponent wins by either gaining the most points by the end of the match, a K.O., T.K.O., or a referee stoppage

*Accidental slip: referee decides on restart or penalty. The action would restart in same action and position where slip occurred

*SUJU has been initially designed with multiple ruleset variations to test out during pilot fights. We envision the advisory committee to be heavily involved in the direction this sport goes and the different leagues that are formed through these different rulesets.

Mound & Pound (Ground Striking Allowance with Submissions):

  • Allowance for a short amount of ground game time, after the first ring-out has occurred, extending the opportunity to finish with a knock out, submission, or a ring-out induced through grappling on the ground.
  • The referee decides when to standup based around the level of action. (10-15 seconds).
  • If opponents make their way to their feet before the referee stands them up, the fight continues without re-initiating a face-off, and follows the same rules and point system as “After a Center Ring-Out”; 3-points for Takedown & 5-points for a Platform ring-out.
  • Takedown Points are still awarded to the aggressor when the fight is taken to the ground.
  • Jumping into guard or a submission attempt that goes to the ground results in giving up takedown points to their opponent.

SUJU Tekken (Fists Only):

  • The rules are the same as standard SUJU MMA, however, the only striking involved are punches. There are no Kicks, Knees, or Elbows allowed
  • This may be a good rule set for those testing out the SUJU Dirt Mound.
  • Bareknuckle Option (After Thorough Testing) – Fighters may apply medical tape and gauze to the wrist and hand; however, all hand wraps must terminate no less than one inch prior to the knuckle line

Partial-Striking at Face-off:

  • Only closed-fist punches and open-hand thrusts are allowed during the initial face-off in the center ring
  • All other strikes open up after a center ring-out.

Standing Submission:

  • Standing submissions, such as a guillotine or rear-naked choke, are only allowed after a center ring-out occurs with a short 5-10 second ground allowance to finish submission attempt
  • If a submission attempt ends up on the ground but is not achieved, the fight resets to face-off and no points are awarded
  • If the submission attempt ends up on the ground and the opponent is able to break free and get to their feet before the referee stands up the fighters, the fight continues without resetting to a face-off.
  • If a submission is achieved, the match is won.

SUJU Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi):

  • No strikes are allowed; Only open hand thrusts, pushes, pulls, throws, takedowns, sweeps, and ring outs
  • Rounds begin standing up like original SUJU MMA rules but grappling and submissions can be taken to the ground with time restrictions on ground (10 – 15 second allowance to complete submission or roll someone into a ring-out scenario, then stood up for face off. We are intentionally trying to provoke stand up when the ground action begins to settle, keeping a highly energetic momentum).
  • If players make there way back up with out referee intervention, then the round continues.
  • A win is achieved by either a submission or with the most accumulated points by the end of the match
  • Both Gi and No-Gi variations may be tested
  • SUJU MMA Point system still applies
  • With more time given to make a submission, it may make sense to test out longer rounds. I expect the preferred rules to change very quickly with this variation through careful and thoughtful moderation.

What do you wear during an official SUJU MMA fight?

  • Standardized SUJU MMA shorts required
  • No Shirts or Shoes
  • Mouth guards and groin protection mandatory
  • Hand wraps
  • Approved 4 oz MMA gloves required (Once pro, we could consider bare knuckle leagues)
  • SUJU Jitsu League: A separate variation for Gi-based grappling where Gi’s are required
  • Dirt Mound Competition: I would strongly consider wearing or enforcing a Gi or similar attire. This will add more grip points but also serves as a rash guard when hitting the ground.

We view SUJU MMA as a platform for multiple competitive formats. Over time, the dirt/clay version can evolve into its own league, separate from the padded mat, because traction, footing, and risk dynamics change the sport. In many ways, it mirrors the “natural ground” tradition seen in early sumo-style ring control.

At the same time, we know dirt competition carries higher injury risk than a padded surface. That’s why the Dirt League will operate with enhanced safety rules, starting with no slams, and expanding into refined limitations on high-amplitude takedowns, dangerous throws, or any action that increases uncontrolled head/neck impact risk. We also anticipate that dirt mound dimensions and slope preferences may differ from the padded platform to improve stability and reduce awkward falls.

To reduce abrasions and skin injuries, we may require a full Gi or protective uniform standard (rash-guard equivalent) for dirt competition.

Stay engaged with the sport by signing up for our newsletter or by joining our rules and regulatory committee. 

Want to feel what SUJU MMA is about right now?

You can start testing the core loop in your gym or at home: [center control → pressure outward → ring-out threat]

Gym setup (Flat ground, no mound) :

  • Tape a Center Ring: 3m or 4m diameter
  • Tape an Outer Platform Ring: 6m or 7m diameter
    You won’t have the slope/edge conditions of The Mound™, but you’ll get the most important part: the battle for the center and the drive to the outside.


Please post your sparring test – Share your thoughts – help build the sport with us.

Start the conversation on Reddit, visit: The Official Reddit Page –  r/SUJU_MMA