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Submission Fight League \ FAQ

F.A.Q.

Tell me more about the league.

Founded in 2004 in Montreal, Qc., the SFL is a grappling league where martial artists such as judo, Japanese ju-jitsu, wrestling, sambo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners can face each other regularly on a monthly basis. The SFL has a simple set of rules so that it won't favor a martial art in particular. Like its name indicates, the goal is to apply a technique (e.g. joint locks, chokes) in order to submit his or her opponent. The winner is the one with the most submissions (as opposed to jiu-jitsu, judo and sambo where the fight ends after the first submission) at the end of a 6 minute round on a matted surface. Like all martial arts, all fights are being held in a atmosphere of highest respect. This year, 3 new SFL leagues have been added to Montreal. So you can now compete in Gatineau, Quebec and in Belgium.

Since June 2004, over 960 fights have been disputed by more than 430 competitors only in Montreal.

Who can compete in the Submission Fight League?

Almost everyone can compete in our league as long as...
  • You love grappling
  • You are aged of 16 years old and over *
  • You actually train in a grappling sport **
  • You are in good shape

Note: Women and teenagers between 12 and 15 years are welcomed in our league for super fights, however they can't register to compete in the SFL Championship.

* For competitors under 18 years old, a parental approval is required.
** Grappling sports are: Wrestling, japanese ju-jitsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, Catch wrestling and Sambo.

What's the SFL Championship?

With 10 events scheduled from February to November plus an absolute event, the competitors accumulate points all year long according to their performance. The competitors are separated into 3 divisions according to their experience and into 4 weight classes for each division. At the end of the Championship, the best fighters of the championship will receive prizes according to the final standings. The last event of the year (absolute) is a tournament where the best fighters will fight to determine the Absolute Champion of all categories.

What is the absolute event?

The absolute event is the last event of each SFL Championship. Held in November or December, it is a one-day competition involving the best competitors of the year. The matchups are determined randomly regardless the experience and weight of the competitors. After 3 rounds, the two finalists dispute the final fight of the year for the SFL belt. All the prizes of the SFL Championship are given that day. The absolute is a no-gi event. To fight for the SFL belt, you must reach...

  • 35 points for competitors of division 1
  • 30 points for division 2
  • 25 points for division 3
  • have fought in a minimum of 5 bouts during the year

Is there gi events?

There's no official gi events. However, at any moment during the year it's possible to compete with a gi. The fighter must apply in advance.

What prizes can I win?

If you subscribe to the SFL Championship, you can win prizes at the end of the year...
WEIGHT CLASS WINNERS
1st place: SFL gold medal

DIVISION CHAMPIONS
1st place (all weight classes): SFL cup
2nd place: Silver medal
3nd place: Bronze medal

ABSOLUTE CHAMPION
Fighter of the year: SFL belt.

What are the divisions?

  1. Division 1 (beginner): 0 to 12 months of grappling experience

  2. Division 2 (intermediate): 1 to 3 years of grappling experience

  3. Division 3 (avanced): 3 years and over of grappling experience

The division is determined before the first fight of each fighter and he normally stays in it throughout the year. The months or years of training in grappling determines the division. E.g. a competitor can be classified in division 2 with only 6 months of BJJ training if he did one year of Judo before. After your first fight, you can be placed in another division if we realize that it doesn't suit you. For the occasional visitor, his division can be changed during the current year.

What are the weight classes?

  1. Lightweight: 135.1 lbs to 155 lbs

  2. Middleweight: 155.1 lbs to 175 lbs

  3. Light-heavyweight: 175.1 lbs to 195 lbs

  4. Heavyweight: 195.1 lbs and over

If you are lighter than 135 lbs, you can compete in our league if we have an opponent of the same weight for you or if you are intermediate or advanced.

Note: Light-heavyweight & heavyweight are mixed together when necessary.

How the matchups are done?

Except for the absolute, the matchups are made by the promoter and announced 2 days before the event.

  1. When there's too much newcomers, the matchups are made after the weigh-in, especially for the first two events of the year.

  2. Your opponents will generally (when it's possible) be in the same weight class and experience.

  3. It's possible to face two times the same opponent during the championship.

  4. Whenever it's possible, competitors from the same gym won't fight each other.

  5. Even if the matchups are announced 2 days before an event, some matchups are modified due to the weigh-in.

How many times can we fight per event?

Generally, a fighter does one fight per event. However, for those who want more, it's possible to fight twice if we have a second opponent for you.

How does the scoring system work?

10 points are distributed for each championship bout.

  1. Win by 3 submissions: 10 points / Loss by 3 submissions: 0 point

  2. Win by 2 submissions: 9 points / Loss by 2 submissions: 1 point

  3. Win by 1 submission: 8 points / Loss by 1 submission: 2 points

  4. Win by forfeit: 7 points / Loss by forfeit: 3 points

  5. Win by points (submission attempt): 6 points / Loss by points: 4 points

  6. Draw: 5 points each

Your best 5 results of the year are conserved for your total of points.

Can I have more details about the weigh-in?

The weigh-in is done the day of the event, generally 60 minutes before the first fight of the day. There's a weigh-in for each event. Your weight can exceed up to 1.9 lbs. If you are a championship competitor and you compete in 2 weight classes during the year, your total of points for the year will be placed in the weight class you have fought the most.

When and where are held the events?

Visit our Eventspage for all details

What are my obligations as a fighter?

Fill out the registration form online or before the weigh-in *

  1. Be respectful

  2. Confirm your attendance at least 4 days before the event

  3. Be on time for the weigh-in

  4. Pay the registration fees (if necessary)

  5. Follow the dress code

  6. Follow the rules of the establishment

  7. Be aware of the SFL rules

  8. Lock your personal goodies in the locker room

  9. Don't take drugs or alcohol before the event

  10. Inform the promoter of your absence at least 12 hours before the event **

* For newcomers only
** If you forget to inform the promoter at least 12 hours before the event, you are going to have to pay an extra fee of $5 the next time you come.

How many competitors are there per event?

Between 20 and 40 but usually around 25-30 for 15 fights per event.

What are the establishments rules to follow in the fight room?

  1. Take your shoes off (including the spectators for Montreal)

  2. Food and drink are not allowed

  3. Camcorder are not allowed (SFL)

  4. Everyone can take pictures

How much does it cost for competitors and spectators?

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS (for the year)

  1. Montreal: $65

  2. Gatineau: $65

  3. Quebec: $70

  4. Belgium: €50

OCCASIONAL COMPETITORS (per event)

  1. Montreal: $15 or $20 for 2 events

  2. Gatineau: $15 or $20 for 2 events

  3. Quebec: $15 or $25 for 2 events

  4. Belgium: €10 or €15 for 2 events

SPECTATORS

  1. Montreal: $10 per event

  2. Gatineau: $5 per event

  3. Quebec: $5 per event

  4. Belgium: TBA

Non-championship competitors cannot win prizes and can't compete at the absolute event.

As a fighter, do I have to pay to watch the video of my fights?

All fighters of the SFL can watch and even download the videos of the current year for free. After your first fight, you'll receive a username and password by email. The videos are not edited for the fighter, that way you can watch your last fight before the next event. Please, do not upload the files on Websites like Youtube, Facebook etc. The videos are available for 2 months.

Is there a Facebook group about SFL?

SFL Montreal SFL Gatineau SFL Quebec

Who are the promoters?

  1. Montreal: Mr. Stéphane Larocque

  2. Gatineau: Mr. Dave Leduc

  3. Quebec: Mr. Mathieu Gagné

  4. Belgium: Mr. Abderrahim Bounouch