Ruleset
ADCC
The most prestigious no-gi ruleset: negative points for stalling, points only in the second half, and every submission legal.
How the ruleset works
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club ruleset is built to force action. Matches split into halves: no points in the first half (submission attempts only), then takedowns, passes, and dominant positions score in the second. Guard pulling costs a negative point once scoring starts, and stalling is penalized directly.
Every submission is legal, including heel hooks and slams inside limits, which makes ADCC the proving ground for complete no-gi games. Overtime extends the match rather than switching format, and referee decisions weigh aggression heavily.
The World Championship runs every two years and is widely treated as the sport's most prestigious no-gi title.
At a glance
- Attire
- No-Gi
- Format
- No points first half, points second half
- Overtime
- Extra time, then decision
- Time limit
- 10-40 min by round/division
- Submissions
- Everything legal
What wins under ADCC rules
Most active under ADCC rules
Vagner Rocha
33 matches
Oliver Taza
29 matches
Keith Krikorian
24 matches
André Galvão
23 matches
Jonathan Satava
22 matches
Felipe Pena
21 matches
Marcelo Garcia
21 matches
Paul Ardila-Ibarra
20 matches
Paul Barch
20 matches
Roberto Jimenez
19 matches
Rankings across every ruleset live on the stats page and the BJJ Elo rankings.
Biggest ADCC events
2017 ADCC West Coast Trials
2018 ADCC North American Trials
2019 ADCC West Coast Trials
2022 ADCC 1st South American Trial
2007 ADCC World Championship
2024 ADCC World Championship
2011 ADCC World Championship
Match records
| Fighters | Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward K Yang | def. | Ira Lukowsky | Points | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Michael Diaz | def. | John Kutz | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Jerry Shapiro | def. | Raphael Assuncao | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Eric Ceballos | def. | Jimmy Morgan | Points | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Chris Vickers | def. | Matt Silva | Dq | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Andres Ponce | def. | Andres Abril Brito | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Marcelo Mafra | def. | MICHAEL HAYDEN | Points | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| James Nival | def. | Timothy Fowler | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Christopher Dorgan | def. | Eric Lucas | Points | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Christopher Moreno | def. | Bruno Antonio | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Jason Watson | def. | Brian Bradley | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Zach Tenorio | def. | Donny Barberie | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Shane Shapiro | def. | MICHAEL HAYDEN | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Jimmy Morgan | def. | Matt Silva | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Timothy Fowler | def. | Eric Lucas | Points | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Jerry Shapiro | def. | Edward K Yang | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Roberto Hernandez | def. | Michael Diaz | Advantage | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Eric Ceballos | def. | Chris Vickers | Submission | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Marcelo Mafra | def. | Andres Ponce | Decision | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals | |
| Christopher Dorgan | vs. | James Nival | Dq | 2025 ADCC Las Vegas Nationals |
