Logo of the International Sport Combat Federation featuring a world map, two MMA fighters in fighting stances, and the text 'ISCF MMA Semi Contact Division'.

ISCF

SEMI CONTACT MMA DIVISION

Sanctioned by the International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF)
Promoted by Born To Win Combat Sport Competition,
Governed by Born To Win Athlete Development Pathway, Inc. (501(c)(3))

RULES - REGULATIONS - INFORMATION

About the Division

The ISCF Semi-Contact MMA Division offers athletes a structured introduction to mixed martial arts under highly controlled conditions. Designed for safety, education, and technical development, this division is part of the Born To Win system and operates under ISCF-approved semi-contact rules. Events are promoted by Born To Win Combat Sport Competition and governed by Born To Win Athlete Development Pathway, ensuring oversight, consistency, and alignment with our athlete-first mission.

This division prioritizes technique, control, and discipline over full contact aggression. It serves as a bridge between gym sparring and full-contact competition, creating a development pathway built on awareness, respect, and mastery.

⸻

Competition Framework

• Sanctioning Body: International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF)

• Promoter: Born To Win Combat Sport Competition

• Governing Organization: Born To Win Athlete Development Pathway, Inc. (501(c)(3))

• Competition Format: Semi-Contact MMA

• Focus: Technical skill · Control · Safety · Athlete Education

⸻

Mission Statement

“Technique over power. Control over aggression. Growth over victory.”

The ISCF Semi-Contact MMA Division exists to develop fighters who compete with intelligence, discipline, and respect — preparing them for long-term sustainable participation in combat sports.

RULES BRIEFING

  • All competitors and their coaches must attend the mandatory rules meeting before competition.

  • Failure to attend may result in removal from the event.

    • Takedowns, Ground Control, Submission holds, and Strikes ARE allowed.

    • ALL SEMI-CONTACT MMA fighters MUST wear ISCF Approved Headgear.

    • Matches are won by score or by properly applied submission technique.

    • Strikes must be focused/delivered in a controlled manner ensuring proper placement.

    • There are NO knockouts and NO chokeouts. You will be disqualified!

    • NO strikes to the head if one or both fighters are grounded (NO ground & pound).

    • NO knees, elbows, forearms, headbutts, or strikes with the head.

    • NO strikes to joints, kidneys, back, spine, groin, rear ribs, or other vital points.

    • Strikes are allowed to the head (3rd tier only), body, and legs (chest, stomach, ribs, arms, thighs, calf).

    • Punches, hammer fists, and kicks (instep, bottom, blade, or ball of foot) are allowed.

    • All strikes to the face must be with padded area of the glove or shin guard.

    • NO spinning back-fists.

    • Stomping on a downed opponent and up-kicks from the bottom are NOT allowed.

    • NO ground & pound.

    • Slamming, spiking to the head, or “back splashing” to escape a submission are NOT allowed.

    • Open “flying scissors” style takedowns are NOT allowed.

    • NO body twisting.

    • Submissions must be applied with pressure, not cranked.

    • Referee will break a submission after 3–10 seconds and award points.

    • Catches (locks, armbars, chokes) are allowed, but once control is shown, referee stops and awards points.

    • NO wrist locks.

    • NO heel hooks, leg locks, or twisting knee submissions.

    • Guillotine chokes must have the arm in.

    • Neck cranks and spine submissions are prohibited.

    • “Can openers” must have the arm in and cannot be used as a submission.

    • Potentially dangerous takedowns, throws, and injury-based submissions are NOT allowed.

    • “Jumping guards” are prohibited.

  • All fighters MUST complete 10 ISCF Semi-Contact MMA sparring bouts before competing with head contact.

Age & Weight

  • Divisions separated by age and weight.

  • Juniors (ages 8–17) compete within a 2-year age spread.

  • Gender:

    • All competitors are separated by male / female divisions.

  • Catchweight Options:

    • ISCF & Event Matchmaker may create catchweight divisions to ensure fair competition.

    • Catchweights allowed only if fighters remain within the spread of the lightest fighter’s division.

  • Amateur Status:

    • All competitors must be amateur fighters.

    • Amateur = never received payment (purse or direct compensation) for a bout.

Black climbing or safety helmet with a label that reads "TOP TEN" made in Germany, set on a yellow background.

    • All fighters MUST wear tight-fitting headgear, approved by ISCF.

    • If a fighter’s headgear falls off, their opponent cannot strike to the head.

    • Referee will wait until the first opportune moment, without interfering with the action, to call a timeout for the trainer to replace the headgear.

    • At the referee’s discretion, points may be deducted or disqualification rendered in the following situations:

      • Headgear purposely pulled off by the fighter.

      • Corner fails to ensure headgear is in place or delays replacing it after it falls off.

      • Not following the direction of the ISCF referee during the bout.

    • Stalling or executing excessive non-scoring techniques.

    • Maliciously causing injury to an opponent.

    • Bending/twisting fingers, biting, scratching, pulling hair, clothing, or pinching/pulling skin.

    • Disrespectful conduct (verbal or physical) during the bout.

    • Arguing with any official.

    • Refusing to obey the direction of any official.

    • Showing disregard for one’s or opponent’s safety.

    • Continuing the bout outside the competition area or after referee calls halt.

    • Any condition for which referee believes a penalty should be imposed.

    • Strikes to joints, kidneys, back, spine, groin, or other vital points are prohibited for ALL fighters.

⚠️ Knockouts and chokeouts are strictly prohibited — attempt = disqualification.

ISCF Semi-Contact MMA: Match Time Lengths

  • All Bouts: Two (2) rounds. If a draw occurs after two rounds, a third round may be held to determine the winner.

  • Junior Bouts: 90-second rounds with 1-minute rest between rounds.

  • Adult Bouts: 2-minute rounds with 1-minute rest between rounds.

  • Match Outcome: Winners are determined by the judge’s scorecards, unless the match ends early due to disqualification, injury, quitting, or any other reason as outlined by the rules or referee.

ISCF Semi-Contact MMA: Matted Competition Area

  • The competition area must be a minimum of 20 feet x 20 feet.

  • Mats must be of wrestling, judo, or jiu-jitsu style with at least 1-inch foam padding.

  • The matted area must extend at least 3 feet beyond the competition area.

  • All mats must be securely joined (by design or tape) with no gaps.

  • Mats must be clean and in good condition.

  • Padding must be approved by the ISCF Event Representative and Event Referee(s).

  • If the competition area is elevated, it must not exceed 36 inches (3 feet) above the venue floor.

  • Elevated areas must have steps or a ramp for participants.

  • A minimum 5-foot warning border is required around elevated competition areas.

  • The ISCF promoter may make any necessary adjustments to the competition area as deemed appropriate by the ISCF Event Referee and Representative.

ISCF Semi-Contact MMA: Weigh-Ins

  • Official weigh-ins may take place either the day before or the day of the event.

  • Both participants in a bout must weigh in on the same day and during the scheduled weigh-in time. (Unless prior arrangements are approved.)

  • Every fighter and trainer has the right to witness their opponent’s weigh-in.

  • Weigh-in windows are limited to 2 hours (except for tournaments). Fighters who miss this window may be scratched from the event unless a valid reason is provided to the ISCF Representative.

  • Weigh-ins must be conducted by the ISCF Event Representative at a location and time agreed upon with the Event Promoter.

  • Prior to weigh-ins, scale accuracy must be verified with a 10 lb fixed weight provided by the promoter.

  • All fighters must weigh in.

  • Fighters may wear shorts, shirt, and socks only (no pants, jackets, or shoes).

  • Fighters must weigh in within the weight class agreed upon during matchmaking. No bouts should be scheduled on a “single” weight.

  • Fighters in title bouts must weigh in within the title weight limits. No weight allowance is permitted.

  • Weight Separations: For all bouts, including catchweight bouts, fighters must be within the allowed spread according to ISCF Semi-Contact MMA rules.

ISCF SEMI-CONTACT MMA: WEIGHT CLASSES

A chart listing ISCE semi-contact MMA weight classes with weight ranges in pounds and kilograms, including divisions from Junior Atomweight to Super Heavyweight.

ISCF Semi-Contact MMA: Fighters Clothing and Equipment

Health & Safety Check

  • All competitors will be examined for contagious skin conditions, trimmed nails, and open wounds prior to competition.

1. Dress Code

  • Fighters must wear shorts or spats (short or long) only—no pants.

  • Shorts cannot contain metal, zippers, buttons, or sharp objects, and should not have pockets.

  • Approved shorts include fight shorts without buttons, zippers, or hard objects.

  • Male competitors wear short or long sleeve rash guards.

  • Female competitors wear short or long sleeve rash guards with sports bras underneath. Sports bras must not have braces, metal, or hard materials.

  • Any other clothing must be approved by the ISCF referee; apparel may be taped or secured for stability.

  • No apparel or equipment with metal, hard plastic, or edges that could cause injury is allowed.

2. Gloves

  • Fighters must wear ISCF-approved gloves.

  • Ages 8–17: 8 oz gloves. Ages 18+: 8–10 oz gloves.

  • Gloves must be taped for stability during the bout.

3. Groin Protection

  • Male fighters must wear an ISCF-approved groin cup for all matches.

4. Mouthpiece

  • Fighters must wear an ISCF-approved mouthpiece during bouts.

  • Strongly recommended to have two form-fitted mouthpieces available.

  • The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece properly in place.

  • If dislodged, the referee will call a timeout at the first safe opportunity to replace it.

5. Shoes

  • Wrestling or martial arts shoes are not allowed.

6. Body Equipment

  • Fighters may wear ISCF-approved shin or instep pads, taped for stability and approved by the ISCF Representative.

7. Head Equipment

  • All ages must wear tight-fitting ISCF-approved headgear, such as Top 10 MMA Headgear.

8. Body Art

  • No body jewelry or piercings.

  • No henna or temporary tattoos.

  • No excessive makeup.

  • No advertisements on the skin.

  • Any masks, costumes, or props must be pre-approved.

9. Vaseline

  • Light application of Vaseline on the face is allowed at the mat entrance under referee supervision.

  • No oils, greases, or tar on any other body parts.

10. Fingernails & Toenails

  • Must be trimmed and clean prior to any bout.

11. Hair

  • Long hair must be tied back using soft materials.

  • Facial hair must be trimmed or cut if deemed a health, safety, or sanitary issue by the ISCF Event Representative.

Born To Win SEMI-CONTACT MMA: SUSPENSIONS

• Born To Win SEMI-CONTACT MMA Rules & Regulations will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.


Light contact must be maintained. The first violation will initiate a hard warning.
The second violation in the same match will give the Referee the discretion to take away points, disqualify the fighter and/or suspend them.

Go to Born To Win MMA Events