Three lines (Karate / Kickboxing / MMA), each with 5 self-contained levels.
Athletes choose the class that matches their experience from any of the three lines.
CONCEPT
Rule Philosophy
You don’t need to memorize every category. The rule set is organized into three lines by combat character, each with five self-contained levels. Levels are defined by combining on/off rule axes.
Three-Line Structure
(KB1 & KB2 = point system)
KARATE
Karate Line｜L1–L5
Gi required. Judging (Ippon / Waza-ari + flag decision) is shared across all levels. Face-contact levels (L3–L5) use full-face protector. Mouthpiece (optional for Karate) and foul cup (optional for women) required across all classes.
KICK
Kickboxing Line｜KB1–KB5
Gloves required. Bottom wear: kick pants or gi (free choice). Face punches allowed in all classes. KB1 (3-point system) and KB2 (5-point system); KB3–KB5 use 10-point-must + referee stoppage. Mouthpiece and foul cup (optional for women) required across all classes.
MMA
MMA Line｜MMA1–MMA5
MMA gloves required. Apparel: fight shorts + rashguard only (no gi). Judging is 10-point-must + submission + referee stoppage. Mouthpiece and foul cup (optional for women) required across all classes.
Leg locks (straight ankle lock, Achilles, knee bar, etc.) are allowed from MMA3 onward. Heel hooks, neck cranks and spine-twisting submissions are prohibited in all classes.
JUDGING
Scoring & Judging
Judging differs by line. Evaluation is based on clear knockdowns and damage. Speculative judgments (“would it have landed?”) are eliminated.
Karate (L1–L5) — Ippon / Waza-ari + Flag Decision
Throws and ground control are not scored as points but are factored into the flag decision.
Kickboxing (KB2–KB5) / MMA (MMA1–MMA5) — 10-Point-Must
At each round end, three judges score independently: 10 to the winner, 9 or less to the loser. A decisive round is 10-8; an extremely one-sided round is 10-7. Total scores after all rounds determine the winner.
| Result | Conditions |
|---|---|
| KO Win | Effective technique → cannot rise / loss of will to fight |
| TKO Win | Continuous unanswered strikes → ref stops / injury/cut → doctor stops / corner throws towel |
| Submission (MMA only) | Tap-out / loss of will / ref stops |
| Decision | Majority of 3 judges by 10-point-must total |
Kickboxing KB1 & KB2 — First-to-Point System
Points awarded for 3-consecutive clean hits, clean counters, clean high kicks, clean knee strikes to body, etc. KB1 is first-to-3 points; KB2 is first-to-5 points. If time expires, the fighter with the most points wins (ties go to the more dominant fighter). Headgear allows light-to-medium contact scoring.
RULES
Common Rules for All Levels
Fouls & Deductions
In Karate, waza-ari outranks Foul 1 (+1). In Kickboxing/MMA, fouls are processed as point deductions within the 10-point-must system. Fouls and cautions accumulate across rounds and extensions.
Common Prohibited Techniques
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Striking | Strikes to back of head/spinal cord (punch, kick, knee, elbow) / strikes to spine/throat / groin strikes / strikes to a downed opponent’s face (except Karate line) / high knee strikes (allowed only in KB4 and KB5) |
| Throws / Clinch | Head spike (any throw landing opponent vertically on head) / neck-bending dangerous throws / suplex variants landing on head |
| Ground / Submissions | Knees on downed opponent / kicks to knee joint / leg locks (ankle, heel hook) / small-joint manipulation (single finger/wrist) / spine-twisting locks (neck crank etc. — prohibited in MMA1–MMA3) |
| Ground Strikes | Vertical ground-and-pound (prohibited in L5 · MMA3–MMA5) / elbow strikes are prohibited in all classes |
Weigh-in & Tardiness
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Weight Over (vs. declared weight) | <1 kg = Caution ／ 1–2 kg = Foul 1 ／ 2–3 kg = Foul 2 ／ ≥3 kg = Disqualification |
| Tardiness (no-show after call) | Immediate = Caution ／ 30s = Foul 1 ／ 40s = Foul 2 ／ 50s = Disqualification |
| Same-day Weigh-in & Medical | Weigh-in up to 3 hours before bouts. Doctor medical check required (concussion history, injury status). Parental consent required for minors. |
All rules in this competition are subject to the upper governing “ICKF Competition Code“.