Gi Rules Comparison
UFC BJJ vs IBJJF Gi rules.
Both are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in the gi, but the scoring and tiebreak systems are not the same. This guide compares the UFC BJJ Open Las Vegas rules with the IBJJF rulebook and age divisions.
Rules vary by age, belt and event. Check the exact division and official source documents before competing.
Quick comparison
The differences that change the match
| Rule | UFC BJJ Open Gi | IBJJF Gi |
|---|---|---|
| Tie at the end | If the points are tied, the last athlete to score wins. If the score is 0–0, the referee decides. | IBJJF uses advantages and penalties before a referee decision. If points, advantages and penalties are all tied, the referee decides. |
| Advantages | UFC BJJ Open scoring does not use IBJJF-style advantage points as a separate scoring category. | Advantages are part of the scoring system and can decide a match when points are tied. |
| Guard pass | A completed guard pass is worth 2 points under the UFC BJJ Open rules used in Las Vegas. | A completed guard pass is worth 3 points. |
| Mount & back | Mount is 4 points and back control is 4 points when the control requirements are met. | Mount is 4 points and back control is 4 points when the position is stabilized under IBJJF criteria. |
| Guard pull | A guard pull must create an engaged guard or immediate offensive connection. Sitting without engagement can be penalized. | A standard legal guard pull is permitted when performed within IBJJF rules; it does not carry the same automatic negative-point concept as an unengaged UFC BJJ sit. |
| Stalling / lack of combativeness | The referee can warn, issue negative points and reset athletes to standing when action stalls. | IBJJF uses a progressive penalty sequence. Lack of combativeness is evaluated over time and penalties accumulate with serious fouls. |
| Penalty escalation | Warnings and negative points can accumulate; five negative points result in disqualification under the UFC BJJ Open rules. | Serious penalties generally escalate from a first penalty, to an advantage for the opponent, to two points for the opponent, and then disqualification; under-15 divisions receive additional protection before disqualification. |
| Gi requirements | Gi divisions use the UFC BJJ Open tournament ruleset with event-specific uniform requirements. | IBJJF has detailed gi construction, fit, color, patch and inspection requirements in addition to the competition rules. |
Biggest tiebreak difference
A tied scoreboard is handled differently.
UFC BJJ
Last athlete to score wins when points are tied.
IBJJF
Advantages and penalties are evaluated before a referee decision.
Youth age groups
The age divisions do not line up.
IBJJF uses single-year youth divisions through age 17, while the UFC BJJ Open groups several ages together. That means the same athlete can move into a differently named division when changing organizations.
| Athlete age | UFC BJJ | IBJJF Gi |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Not listed as a UFC BJJ Open youth division in the Las Vegas rulebook | Mighty Mite I · 2 minutes |
| 5 | Not listed as a UFC BJJ Open youth division in the Las Vegas rulebook | Mighty Mite II · 2 minutes |
| 6 | Peewee · 7 & under | Mighty Mite III · 2 minutes |
| 7 | Peewee · 7 & under | Pee Wee I · 3 minutes |
| 8 | Junior I · 8–9 | Pee Wee II · 3 minutes |
| 9 | Junior I · 8–9 | Pee Wee III · 3 minutes |
| 10 | Junior II · 10–11 | Junior I · 4 minutes |
| 11 | Junior II · 10–11 | Junior II · 4 minutes |
| 12 | Teen I · 12–13 | Junior III · 4 minutes |
| 13 | Teen I · 12–13 | Teen I · 4 minutes |
| 14 | Teen II · 14–15 | Teen II · 4 minutes |
| 15 | Teen II · 14–15 | Teen III · 4 minutes |
| 16 | Juvenile · 16–17 | Juvenile I · 5 minutes |
| 17 | Juvenile · 16–17 | Juvenile II · 5 minutes |
Submission legality and belt eligibility also change by age. This table maps age divisions and match times; it is not a blanket legal-techniques chart.
Official sources
Read the documents behind the comparison.
Real-world context
Bailey's 2026 UFC BJJ Open Las Vegas page follows the same weekend across NoGi and Gi, so readers can connect the rules to an actual tournament schedule and later to the verified result.
UFC BJJ Las Vegas event →