BJJ

Women's No Gi BJJ Competitions for White-Black Belts

Women's No Gi BJJ Competitions for White-Black Belts

1. IBJJF Women NoGi Tournaments (Blue-Black Belts)

1.1. IBJJF Rules and Regulations

Weight Division for Women

Weight Divisions Juvenile Female Adult /Masters Female
Rooster  94 lbs 103 lbs
Light-Feather  103 lbs 114 lbs
Feather  111.6 lbs 125 lbs
Light  120.6 lbs 136 lbs
Middle  129 lbs 147 lbs
Medium Heavy  138 lbs 158 lbs
Heavy  147 lbs 169 lbs

IBJJF NoGi Uniform Regulation for Women

According to IBJJF Rules:

“Before his/her first fight, the athlete will check his/her weight with the No Gi uniform. There is only one opportunity to check the weight. If the competitor does not make his/her weight, they will be immediately disqualified. Please make sure that you are in the correct weight division. You can not change divisions if you do not make your designated division. No changes will be accepted on the tournament day, no refund.

Check on Tournament Important Info for the official weight measurement used in the Tournament.

All athletes should fight and weigh in with the No Gi uniform."

For more information click here.


According to IBJJF uniform regulations

“Shorts, compression pants (skin-tight spats) and/or compression shorts colored black, white, black and white, and/or the color of the rank (belt) to which the athlete belongs. The shorts must not have pockets or have the pockets stitched completely shut, must not have buttons, zippers, or any kind of plastic or metal that could present a risk to the opponent, and must be long enough to cover halfway down the thigh and no longer than the knee.”

For more information click here.

Women Age and Belt Divisions

White Belts are not eligible for the following IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championships. Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black Belts are allowed to register (according to IBJJF Rules) in this tournament.


Divisions Age Belt Level
Juvenile  2006 and 2007 Blue, Purple
Adult  2005 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 1 1993 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 2 1987 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 3 1982 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 4 1977 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 5 1972 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 6 1967 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Master 7 1962 and before Blue, Purple, Brown, Black

Rules for Open Class

  1. Athletes who stood first 1st, 2nd, and 3rd can only register for Open Class Competitions
  2. Open Class division has two categories for Juvenile Blue and Purple Belt

Open Class Light From Rooster to Lightweight
Open Class Heavy From Middle to Ultra Heavyweight

Note: For Black Belt Adult Division, all the athletes are free to partake in Open Class competitions. 

1.2. Winning Criteria

According to IBJJF, the final decision of the match shall be made on the following criteria

  1. Submission
  2. Points
  3. Referee Decision
  4. Stoppage
  5. Disqualification
  6. Loss of Consciousness
  7. Random Pick

IBJJF Score System

Position/Technique Points
Knee on Belly  2
Takedown  2
Sweep 2
Guard Pass 3
Back Control  4
Back Mount  4
Mount  4

1.3. Winning Reward

IBJJF offers cash prizes to every weight division’s Black Belt Gold Medalists. The cash prizes of the IBJJF also depend on the number of competitors appearing in each weight division. Other Belt Division champions are awarded medals.

Adult Women Black Belt (All Weight Divisions)

No. of Athletes in Each Division Cash Prize to Champion
2-8 $4000 (USD)
9-16 $5000 (USD)
17-32 $6000 (USD)
33+ $7000 (USD)

Adult Black Belt Women Open Class

Black Belt Open Class Female Champion $10,000 (USD)

1.4. List of IBJJF Women No-Gi Tournaments

Here is a list of No-Gi tournaments that provide an opportunity for women to participate in international No-Gi tournaments. You can visit their official page to register for the tournament.  World No-Gi Championship.

  1. European No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship
  2. American Nationals IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship
  3. Pans Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship
  4. Brazilian Nationals Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship
  5. Baton Rouge International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  6. San Diego Spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  7. Jiu-Jitsu Con No-Gi International
  8. (Jiu-Jitsu Con No-Gi International has an exception in that it only organizes Juvenile and Adult championships. This tournament is not suggested for women born after 2005). 
  9. Los Angeles International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi 
  10. Curitiba Summer Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  11. Dublin International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  12. Rio Fall International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  13. Sydney International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  14. Charleston International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  15. Salvador Fall International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  16. Nashville Spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  17. Santa Cruz International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  18. Atlanta Spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  19. Paris Spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi
  20. Houston International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship No-Gi

2. ADCC Championships 

ADCC Championships conduct only No-Gi events. In ADCC World Championship, you can only partake if you are a Black Belt and you get a special invitation or you have to qualify and win ADCC European Trials, ADCC Asian Trials, and ADCC North and South American Trials.


ADCC conducts two trials in the various regions of Asia, Europe, South, and North America. Women are qualified in the second ADCC Trials. For other ADCC Tournaments like ADCC British Open or ADCC German Open, participants have to register themselves on the official website of ADCC.


In all the belt divisions of the ADCC National Championship, White to Black Belt can take part. While in the ADCC World Championship, only Black Belts are invited. 


Here are the ADCC rules and regulations for female participants.

2.1. ADCC Age Categories for Women

For ADCC World Championships and ADCC Qualifiers 

For World Championship and ADCC Qualifiers, Women must be of 16 years or above.

Women Age Categories for Other Tournaments

Categories Professional Advance Intermediate Beginner
Experience  >5 years experience >5 years experience 2-4 years of experience Less than 2 years of experience in BJJ, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling
Age  Girls (15 years- 18 years)
Adults (+18 years)
Master 1 (+35 years)
Girls (15 years -18 years)
Adults (+18 years)
Master 1 (+35 years)
Girls (11 years- 12 years)
Girls (13 years - 14 years)
Girls (15 years - 18 years)
Adults (+18 years)
Master 1 (+35 years)
Girls (7 years - 8 years)
Girls (9 years- 10 years)
Girls (11 years- 12 years)
Girls (13 years-14 years)
Girls (15 years- 18 years)
Adults (+18 years)
Master 1 (+35 years)

2.2. Weight Classes

Weight Categories for ADCC World Championship

Weight Categories for Women
+16 years
-60 kg (-132.2 lbs)
+60 kg (+132.2 lbs)

ADCC Women Weight Divisions for Other Tournaments

Girls 
 (7-8 Years)
Girls 
 (9-10 years)
Girls 
 (11- 12 years)
Girls 
 (13-14 years)
Girls 
 (15-18 Years)
Adults 
 (+18 Years)
Masters 1
 (+35 Years)
-21kg -24kg -28kg -32kg -36kg -50kg -50kg
-24kg -28kg -32kg -36kg -40kg -55kg -55kg
-28kg -32kg -36kg -40kg -45kg -60kg -60kg
-32kg -36kg -40kg -45kg -50kg -65kg -65kg
-36kg -40kg -45kg -50kg -55kg -70kg -70kg
-40kg -45kg -50kg -55kg -60kg +70kg +70kg
+40kg +45kg +50kg +55kg +60kg    

Note: These weight classes can vary from tournament to tournament. 

2.3. ADCC Winning Criteria

ADCC Winning Criteria involves these three alternatives:

  1. Points
  2. Submission
  3. Referee Decision

ADCC Scoring System

Techniques and Positions Points
Passing the Guard  3 points
Knee on Stomach  2 points
Mount Position  2 points
Back Mount with Hooks  3 points
Takedown (End Guard or Half Guard) 2 points
Clean Takedown (Ends Passed the Guards) 4 points
Sweeps (Ends Guard or Half Guard) 2 points
Clean Sweep (Ends Passed the Guards) 4 points

2.4. Time Limits for ADCC World Championships, Trials, and National Championships 

For Professionals

Stage Time
Qualifying Rounds 10 Minutes 
Overtime in Qualifying rounds  5 minutes
Finals  20 Minutes
Overtime in Finals  10 Minutes

Note: For Qualifying rounds, the first 5 minutes are without points. Points start after 5 minutes of the start of the match and last until the end. Points are also applicable in the overtime period. 


For finals, the first 10 minutes are without points. Points start after the first 10 minutes and last until the end of the match. 

For ADCC Trials

Stage Time
Qualifying Rounds 6 Minutes 
Overtime in Qualifying rounds  3 minutes
Finals  8 Minutes
Overtime in Finals  4 Minutes

Note: For Qualifying rounds, the first 3 minutes are without points. Points start after 3 minutes of the start of the match and last until the end of the match, also in the overtime. 


For finals, the first 8 minutes are without points. Points start after the first 4 minutes and last until the end of the match. 

For ADCC National Championship

Stage Time
Qualifying Rounds 6 Minutes 
Overtime in Qualifying rounds  3 minutes
Finals  8 Minutes
Overtime in Finals  4 Minutes

Note: For Qualifying rounds, the first 3 minutes are without points. Points start after 3 minutes of the start of the match and last until the end of the match, also in the overtime. 


For finals, the first 8 minutes are without points. Points start after the first 4 minutes and last until the end of the match. 

2.5. List of Other ADCC Tournaments

  1. ADCC AFRICA CHAMPIONSHIP
  2. ADCC AUSTRALIAN OPEN
  3. ADCC KAZAKHSTAN OPEN
  4. ADCC GOLD COAST OPEN
  5. ADCC BULGARIA OPEN
  6. ADCC SLOVAK NATIONAL
  7. ADCC MELBOURNE OPEN
  8. ADCC PERTH OPEN
  9. ADCC SOUTHEAST ASIA
  10. ADCC MOLDOVA OPEN
  11. ADCC GERMAN OPEN
  12. ADCC SERBIA OPEN
  13. ADCC POLISH NATIONALS
  14. ADCC SCOTTISH OPEN
  15. ADCC SINGAPORE NATIONALS
  16. ADCC ESTONIA OPEN
  17. ADCC NEW ZEALAND OPEN
  18. ADCC CABO TORMENTOSA – SA

3. UAEJJF Women No-Gi Championships (White to Black Belt)

UAEJJF also offers Women NoGi championships. Rules like weight divisions, fight times, and weight categories do not differ a lot in Gi and No-Gi tournaments. But No-Gi uniform regulations are very clear for the female's No-Gi championship mentioned in the rule book of UAEJJF, issued by JJAU. 

3.1. UAEJJF Women Age Categories and Fight Time 

Division Age Time
Masters  Older than 35 Years 5 minutes
Adults  Older than 18 Years 6 minutes
U18 18-20 Years 5 minutes
U16 16-17 Years 4 minutes
U14+ 14-15 Years 3 minutes
U14 12-13 Years 3 minutes
U10 10-11 Years 3 minutes
U8+ 8-9 Years 1.5 minutes

3.2. UAEJJF Women Weight Categories

U10 U12 U14 U16 U18 U21 Adults
-20kg -22kg -22kg -32kg      
-22kg -25kg -25kg -36kg      
-25kg -28kg -28kg -40kg -40kg    
-28kg -32kg -32kg -44kg -44kg -45kg -45kg
-32kg -36kg -36kg -48kg -48kg -48kg -48kg
-36kg -40kg -40kg -52kg -52kg -52kg -52kg
-40kg -44kg -44kg -57kg -57kg -57kg -57kg
+40kg -48kg -48kg -63kg -63kg -63kg -63kg
  +48kg -52kg +63kg +63kg +63kg +63kg
    -57kg   -70kg -70kg -70kg
    +57kg   +70kg +70kg +70kg

3.3. UAEJJF Women No-Gi Uniform Regulations

For No-Gi championships, uniform rules are given the rule book of UAEJJF are;

“Rash Guards: Men and women are required to wear a skin tight shirt that covers the torso and reaches the waistband of the shorts. Their shirts must be mostly red or blue. Competitors are requested to attend the competition with both colors of shirts.

Shorts: Shorts must be at least to the mid-thigh in length (not exceeding 15 cm from the knee) and must not pass the knee. Shorts may have pockets, but the pockets must be sewn shut and without buttons, exposed drawstrings, and plastic or metal zippers. Compression pants that fit tightly on the skin are permitted under the shorts. All Shorts and tights must be mostly black.”

4. Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu (White-Black Belts)

Submission only offers women's No-Gi tournaments for White to Black Belts. This tournament follows the rules and regulations of the Eddie Bravo Invitational. (EBI)

4.1. Rule and Regulations for Women No-Gi Tournaments

Age Limits

Youth Teens Adults and Masters
4-6 years 13-15 years Adults: 18 years+
7-8 years 16-17 years Masters 1: 30-34 years
9-10 years   Masters 2: 35-39 years
11-12 years   Directors 1: 40-44 years
    Directors 2: 45-49 years
    Executive 1: 50-54 years
    Executive 2: 55 years

Women Weight Classes

Adults Youth/Teens
115 lbs and Under 39 lbs and under
116 lbs -125 lbs 40-49 lbs
126 lbs -135 lbs 50-59 lbs
136 lbs -145 lbs 60-69 lbs
146 lbs -155 lbs 70-79 lbs
156 lbs - 170 lbs 80-89 lbs
171 lbs - 185 lbs 90-99 lbs
186 lbs - 195 lbs 100-115 lbs
196 lbs - 205 lbs 115+ lbs
206 lbs - 235 lbs  
236 - lbs  

Skill Levels

Regular Youth/Teens No-Gi
Novice (Under Six Months Training)
White Belt (No Wrestling Experience
Grey Belt
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt (Championship Belts Under Three Years)
Green/Blue Belt

Regular Adult 18 Years + No-Gi Division
Novice (Under Six Months Training)
White Belt (No Wrestling Experience
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt

Adult Absolute No-Gi Division
(Skill level should be the same for all weight classes)
Novice (Under Six Months Training)
White Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt

Legal and Illegal Submissions

Legal Submissions Kids/Teens
White-Grey
Kids/Teens
Yellow-Orange
Adult White Blue Purple Brown and Black
Shoulder and Arm Locks  Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Choke 
 Head/Arm Choke 
Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Biceps and Calf Slicers      Legal Legal Legal Legal
Wrist Locks        Legal Legal Legal
Stretching Submissions      Legal Legal Legal Legal
Ankle Locks    Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Knee Bars      Legal Legal Legal Legal
Knee Reap       Legal Legal Legal
Toe Holds        Legal Legal Legal
Heel Hook          Legal Legal

Regulations Time for Match

This is the information for standard match time limits. You can visit the official website for more details.


For Adults Standard Matches have 8 Minutes
Fore Teens 6 Minutes Matches 
For Youth 4 Minutes Matches
For Youth Novices 2 Minutes Rounds
Overtime for each category 2 Minutes

Women NoGi Uniform Regulations

According to Submission only rules and regulations, uniform requirements for No-Gi tournaments are:

“For No Gi Women divisions, athletes have to wear board shorts or lycra elastic pants without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut and reaching at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Attached metal or plastic of any kind that may hurt the opponent is expressly forbidden on the board shorts. Athletes also have to wear a rashguard or a shirt of elastic fabric (clings to the body). This rash guard or shirt does not need to meet any color requirements. Athletes cannot compete wearing a loose shirt of any kind.”

4.2. Winning Criteria in Submission-Only-Jiu-Jitsu

The winning criteria for submission-only Jiu-Jitsu is different from other disciplines of BJJ championships. Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu does not follow any rules for point-winning.


To win in this tournament, you have to submit your opponent. Rulesets mentioned on the official website of the submission-only Jiu-Jitsu championship are:

  • Win via Submission victory within regulation time.
  • Win in Overtime: victory by submission, fastest submission time, or fastest escape time.
  • Win by opponent disqualification.
  • Win via opponent forfeiture. 

4.3. Winning Rewards

  • The Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu Championship gives specially designed medals to the first three position holders.
  • The Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu Championship also grants cash prizes to its winners. Cash prizes always depend upon the number of competitors participating in the championship.
  • If 20 competitors come to compete in one division, a $1000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner.

5. North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Women No-Gi Tournaments (White to Black Belt)

5.1. Women No-Gi Age Categories

Divisions Age
Children  13 Years of Age and Under
Teens  14-17 Years of Age
Adults  18-29 Years of Age
Master  30-39 Years of Age
Director  40-49 Years of Age
Executive  50 Years of Age and Older

5.2. Women Adult No-Gi Skill Level

Categories Grappling Experience
Novice  6 Months and Under
Beginners  6 Months to 2 Years
Intermediate  2 to 5 Years (Blue Belts Mostly fall Under this Category)
Expert  5 Years and over (Purple, Brown, Black Belt compete Under this Category)

5.3. Women No-Gi Weight Category for Adults, Masters, Director, Executive Weight Class

Divisions Weight
Subatomic weight  99.9 lbs and under
Atomweight  100-109.9 lbs
Strawweight  110-119.9 lbs
Flyweight  120-129.9 lbs
Bantamweight  130-139.9 lbs
Featherweight  140-149.9lbs
Lightweight  150-159.9 lbs
Welterweight  160-169.9 lbs
Middleweight  170-179.9 lbs
Light-Heavyweight  180-189.9 lbs
Cruiserweight  190-199.9 lbs
Heavyweight  200 lbs and over

5.4. European Tournaments Weight Class

Divisions Weight
Subatomic Weight  44.9 kg
Atomweight  45-49.9 kg
Strawweight  50-54.9 kg
Flyweight  55-59.9 kg
Bantamweight  60-64.9 kg
Featherweight  65-69.9 kg
Lightweight  70-74.9 kg
Welterweight  75-79.9 kg
Middleweight  80-84.9 kg
Cruiserweight  85-89.9 kg
Heavyweight  90 kg and over

5.5. Winning Criteria

NAGA winning criteria includes following methods:

  1. Submission
  2. Points
  3. Referee decision
  4. Opponent disqualification

NAGA Score System

Position/Technique Points
Takedown  1 or 2 points
Submission Attempt  1 or 2 points
Sweeps  2 points
Side Control Variations  2 points
Mount  2 points
Back Grab  2 points

5.6. Women NoGi Fight Time Limits

Category Women Age and Skill Level Time
Adult  18-29 years (Novice, beginner and White Belts) 4 minutes
Masters  30-39 years (All Belt Levels) 4 minutes
Director  40-49 Years (All Belt Levels) 4 minutes
Executive  50 Year or Above (All Belt Levels) 4 minutes
Adult  18-29 Years (Intermediate/ Blue) 5 minutes
Adult  18-29 Years Expert/ Purple, Brown, and Black Belt) 6 minutes

5.7. NAGA No-Gi Penalties

First Offense Verbal Warning
Second Offense Verbal Warning Optional
Third Offense Opponent Receive 1 Point
Fourth Offense Opponent Receive 1 point
Fifth Offense Disqualification

5.8. NAGA No-Gi Legal and Illegal Techniques for Women

Position/ Technique Legal/Illegal
Straight Foot Lock  Legal
Straight Knee Bars  Legal
Toe Holds  Legal
Heel Hooks  Legal
Calf Crunches  Legal
Rib/ Neck Compression  Legal
Neck Cranks  Legal
Triangle Chokes  Legal
Twisters  Legal
Electric Chair  Legal
Guillotines  Legal
Straight Arm Bar  Legal
Wrist Locks  Legal
Scissors Takedown  Legal
NoGi Ezekiel Choke  Legal
Bicep Crunches  Legal
Omoplata Legal
Gogoplata  Legal
Slamming  Illegal
Squeezing Windpipe  Illegal
Smothering  Legal

6. Takeaways

There are only a few BJJ organizational bodies working. The main bodies include IBJJF, UAEJJF, EBI, and a few others. The basic motto of different governing bodies of BJJ is to facilitate the fighters and ensure the application of rules without any exception. No-Gi BJJ is considered more modern as compared to traditional BJJ. So this is the reason there are more female fighters participating in the No-Gi BJJ.


Photo Credit: @graciemag

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