POLARIS EXHIBITION BOUTS AND SUPERFIGHTS

PRELIMS

2 x 5 minute rounds with a strict 1 minute break in between. Possible third for an extension if points are exactly tied. 

Judges will score based on the “10 point must” system, according to the Judging Criteria listed below. 

In the case of equal Rounds at the end of round 2, there will be a one minute break followed by a 3 minute overtime, which will be judged on its own and a simple winner and loser will be decided based on the judging criteria listed below. 

 MAIN CARD

3 x 5 minute rounds. 

Judges will score based on the “10 point must” system, according to the Judging Criteria listed below. 

NOTES ON ‘10 POINT MUST’

Each round is scored based on a 10-point must system, with the round winner receiving 10 points and the other competitor fewer. Scoring reflects active engagement and control, rewarding competitors who initiate action and bring excitement to the match.

  • 10-9 Round: The most common score, given when one competitor shows a slight edge by initiating action, creating dynamic exchanges, and taking control through positional advancements or submission attempts.

  • 10-8 Round: A rare score, indicating clear dominance with one competitor actively driving the pace, controlling positions, and consistently threatening submissions with limited response from the opponent.

  • 10-7 Round: Extremely rare and reserved for rounds of overwhelming dominance, where one competitor fully controls the action and the opponent struggles to defend or mount any effective counter-actions.

Points can be taken away for fouls, stalling, or other infractions. 

JUDGING CRITERIA 

The 10 point must system will use the following criteria as a way of assigning score. 

Fighters will be rewarded for: 

A) Effective Attacks and Aggression

  • Legitimate submission attempts that cause the opponent to apply effort to escape

  • Pushing the pace of the bout

  • Initiating exciting exchanges

  • Taking risks in an attempt to gain a takedown, advantageous position or submission attempt

Note on submission attempts:
The definition of a legitimate hold is that the opponent has to apply effort or take a risk in order to escape. If a fighter uses a submission attempt as a positional stalling tactic (e.g. holding on indefinitely to a submission that they are not able to finish) then this would not be looked upon favourably.

B) Escalating Positional Control

  • Takedowns

  • Sweeps

  • Improving position in order to set up a submission

C) Effective counter attacks and dynamic escapes

  • Effectively countering takedowns

  • Reversals

  • Spectacular escapes

Fighters will be penalised for: 

D) Stalling and Passivity

  • Not capitalising on good positions

  • Constantly moving backwards

  • Exiting the competition area

  • Being overly defensive and unwilling to take risks

  • Not attempting to advance position

E) Poor sportsmanship / fouls

  • Attempting illegal submissions or manoeuvres

  • Striking

  • Any other breach of the rules

  • In extreme cases the referee may disqualify or indicate that the judges are to mark a fighter down, at his discretion

The judge is encouraged to always look upon the aggressor / attacker more favourably than the defensive competitor.

STALLING / STALEMATE RULES

Single competitor stalling: 

Referee notices stalling, gives official warning, and starts stalling timer.

If no attempt at action has been made, 1 point taken away 

If the same competitor stalls again, the process repeats however, after 30 seconds the other competitor will be gifted a dominant position of their choice (BACK, SIDE CONTROL, MOUNT)

If both competitors are stalling:

Referee notices stalling, gives warning, and starts timer.

If stalling continues for 30 seconds: 

– If the stalling is taking place on the ground, both competitors will be forced to stand

– If the stalling is taking place standing, both competitors will be forced to start in the combat base position half a metre apart

If both competitors are warned for stalling but then only one competitor continues to stall, then conditions revert to ‘single competitor stalling’ guidelines

In a “one up one down” situation eg one competitor in seated guard, one competitor trying to pass, the competitor who is moving backwards will be considered the one who is stalling.

All stalling calls are reset once the athlete or athletes stop stalling.

“STALEMATE” Rule

Polaris is grappling entertainment, with paying viewers. If a position is deemed a stalemate, the referee may interrupt and force a reset or other break in action, at his or her sole discretion. A stalemate can be called in ANY position (standing, half guard, full guard, mount, etc) where the action does not proceed, either to a more dominant position OR a submission.

Further notes / clarifications
Pulling guard must be initiated with contact first.

Competitors who repeatedly leave the ring for any reason (passivity, rolling out of submissions) will receive a warning, and then a point deduction on each further infraction. 

Stalling and passivity are strongly discouraged and the judges should score appropriately, penalising any kind of stalling tactic that slows down the action (for example, 50/50 without advancement, lapel guard used to slow down the action, etc)

Injuries
Where a fighter sustains an accidental injury during the match, they will be given up to 5 minutes to recover. The timekeeper will stop the time during this. If the fighter indicates they are able to continue before the 5 minutes is up then the match can resume.

If the player is unable to recover during the 5 minutes then the match will be declared no contest and the injured fighter will receive medical assistance off-stage.

If medical intervention is necessary then the judges and referee can confer with the medic to decide if the bout can continue.

If the injury is sustained via an illegal manoeuvre, a negative point will be given to the perpetrator and the fighter given up to 8 minutes to recover. The timekeeper will stop the time during this. If the fighter cannot recover or elects not to continue then the bout will be declared a win for the injured fighter.

Poor sportsmanship / fouls
Upon an infraction, the referee will pause the bout, warning the fighter (s) and pointing to the fighter (s) who is receiving a warning, and then the three judges one by one.

After two infractions, or at the referee’s discretion, the match can end, with the fighter committing the offences being declared the loser, and the opponent the winner.

Continuing in position when reaching out of bounds

Referees will reset competitors in the centre of the mat in the exact same position they were in when asked to stop. 

If a resolution cannot be reached, competitors will be stood up but the defensive athlete (who initiated or accepted going out of bounds) will have a point deducted.