Train with Champions
Online Competition Guide
A list of competition guidelines and resources to help Crazy 88 students.
All About MMA & Striking Competition
0:11 What is the path that needs to be taken to get into Competition MMA training at Crazy 88?
3:00 What is the preferred training regimen for a student who wants to become a fighter?
6:34 Will MMA training cause me to deviate away from my Jiu-Jitsu and sacrifice my BJJ competition schedule?
9:07 The importance of grappling competition to MMA success.
10:40 What are the importance of relative skill sets as fighters progress through the tiers of MMA?
14:45 How important are the skill sets vs the level someone reached in a skill set? Why do MMA coaches prefer prospects with high-level accomplishments in one sport vs athletes who have broad skill sets?
17:17 When can a student have their first MMA fight? What are the coaches looking for?
25:05 How does your training recommendations change for people who don’t have professional aspirations?
General Ranking & Training Requirements for Competition
![Ranking Systems poster4](https://www.crazy88mma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ranking-Systems-poster4-pdf.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions about GRAPPLING COMPETITION
How do I sign up for the competition?
Every organization has their own registration website. You will need to create an account and then enroll for the particular event run by that organization. IBJJF will require you to become a member of IBJJF first. After you request membership, please let a coach know so we can approve it. Once it is approved, you will be allowed to register for IBJJF competitions.
What do I need to bring with me?
Bring identification.
Bring 2 pairs of any clothing is required for the competition e.g. 2 gis or 2 pairs of rashguards & shorts – especially if this is IBJJF where they have more stringent uniform requirements. It is common to have uniforms not make it through inspection, suffer damage, or simply smell bad (especially between the weight division and the open division a few hours later). Make sure your belt is not faded and that clothing meets the fit and color criteria.
Most athletes like to bring water, snacks, and any supplemental items such athletic tape with them. Do not expect your teammates to provide these and do not expect that you will be able to purchase these items at the venue.
What time should I arrive in order to compete? What about to warm-up?
The best warm-up is to do a hard warmup (hot shower, calisthenics, stretching) that opens up the lungs 1-2 hours prior to the event. 30 minutes before you compete, you should do a lighter warmup: generally, some technical drilling.
The start time of your match will also change in real-time. We recommend being in the competitive area, 90 minutes prior to the start time minimum.
At travel competitions, we like athletes to arrive to support the other team members regardless of start time.
What time should I get there to weigh in?
Different competitions hold weigh-ins at different times. The three types of weigh ins are :
- Matside right before competing (IBJJF)
- Anytime during the day (Grappling Industries, NAGA, and most local competitions)
- Day before (ADCC, MMA, and most striking events)
If you are doing IBJJF and have a serious weight cut, you should arrive as soon as the venue opens in order to check your weight on the test scale.
Otherwise, you should arrive with enough time to check your weight on the test scale (if one is provided) and with enough buffer to sweat out the last few ounces in case of disaster. In generally, 2-3 hours before the scheduled competition time. REMEMBER: the start time is changing in real time so its best to give yourself an ample window!
Is there a group chat for communication with coaches & others?
There is always a group slack channel for competition organization. If you aren’t sure how to find it or are not a member, please let a coach know and they will assist you in getting you in there.
Should I do classes in addition to Fundamentals if I'm competing?
Yes.
Commons Issues re: GRAPPLING COMPETITION
Communication
Let the coaches know if you are planning to compete!
Competition Schedule
At Crazy 88, we prioritize unity and coordinated participation. We’ve carefully crafted a competition schedule, and we encourage our aspiring competitors to follow it. This ensures that our dedicated coaches and teammates can be present to support each other.
We’ve observed in the past that when students chose competitions independently, it posed challenges for both them and our coaches. For the sake of cohesion and presenting our team at its best, we ask that athletes compete with the guidance of their coaches. To make things convenient, you can find the competition schedule displayed digitally at each location.
Tiers of competition
Competitions can be divided into roughly 3 categories: Local, Regional, and International / Professional. Each tier of competition requires a different level of commitment and investment. Start at local and work up from there.
Local e.g. Grappling Industries, NAGA, Finishers
- Recommended to be Phase Belt OR have grappling experience
- Get instructor permission
- Let instructors know that you have registered
Regionals e.g. IBJJF New York Open
- Clear with instructor prior to registering.
- Must meet skill & training requirements.
International / Professional (sometimes referred to as Majors or Grand Slams)
- Must meet success, skill, & training requirements.
Travel
If you are attending a travel competition (further than 2+ hours travel time), you must let the coaches know. There will almost always be a carpool and shared lodging to alleviate costs. Even if you are not traveling with the team, you must let us know if you are participating for scheduling and budgeting purposes.