2021 U.S. National MMA Youth Championships & World Team Selection
LEBRON'S SPORTSPLEX
2515 Shader Road #9
Orlando, Florida 32804
CLICK TO REGISTER
- We have kept registrations from the 2020 Nationals open and will contact existing applicants with open registrations and make appropriate changes in age and weight divisions.
- Team USA Warm up Suits and Fight Gear ordered for 2020 will be delivered to all who ordered in advance, new orders will be available after the national championships for U.S. team members only.
- This tournament will select the official U.S. Youth team for the 2021 IMMAF World Youth MMA Championships in Antalya Turkey (July/ Aug 2021). There may also be other international youth competitions to include but not limited to competition in Uganda (sponsored) and Cuba.
Ages 8-17
World Championship Qualifier for ages 12-17
COMPETION FEES:
Regular - $100
Late - $125 (after March 13)
Spectators - $20
Registration Cutoff date: April 2nd
- All brackets limited to 8 entries per age and weight - 1st come first serve
- Significant media coverage is expected. See competition gear and other licensing requirements at the USFL Licensing Site.
- Tournament profits will go to support youth athletes who will represent the United states in the world championships
COMPETITION FORMATS:
- Preliminary Tournament - (Two MMA Cage Set Up) Single Round Matches (3 minutes for ages 8-13yrs / 4 minutes for ages 14-17yrs)
- Finals - (Formal Single Cage Set Up)3 Round bouts of 2 minutes each round for all divisions. (Contingent that there are fewer than 45 finals bouts, otherwise 2 rd. finals)
- Athletes may compete in a maximum of 5 rounds/ periods per day. Finals may be single round bouts if the 5th bout for any of the contenders.
BRACKETING:
- Double elimination w/ consolation bracket for 3rd place (4 or more entries)
- Round Robin- (3 entries)
- Single Bout of 3 rounds – If both athletes go straight to finals.
- Uncontested Champions (Single Athlete Divisions) will have the option to move up in weight or age to participate in a 2nd category. (Must be within USFL age and weight parameters)
WEIGH IN / CHECK IN/ GEAR INSPECTION/ PRE-BOUT MEDICAL SCREENINGS:
- Optional Night Prior/Early: Friday April 2nd (Location and time to be announced very soon)
- Regular Check in: Saturday April 3rd (Venue: Lebron's Sportsplex, Time TBA very soon)
NOTE: DO NOT SELECT A WEIGHT CATEGORY THAT REQUIRES ANY FORM OF WEIGHT CUTTING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU INTEND ON PARTICIPATING IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
CATEGORIES: Pounds are Rounded up or down to closest Kilo
Rookie Age Group 8-9yrs on First day of National Championships Tournament
(Non World Championships age groups / Boys & Girls Combined)
-50lbs
-55lbs
-60lbs
-65lbs
-70lbs
-80lbs
-90lbs
Novice Age Group 10-11yrs on First day of National Championships Tournament
(Non World Championships age group/ Boys & Girls combined)
-70lbs
-75lbs
-85lbs
-95lbs
-105lbs
-115lbs
-125lbs
-135lbs
Schoolboy/Girl 12 – 13 years old but under 14yrs on first day of World Championships
(Male & Female Divisions)
-31kg/ -68lbs
-34kg/ -75lbs
-37kg/ -82lbs
-40kg/ -88lbs
-44kg / -97lbs
-48kg/ -106lbs
-52kg/ -115lbs
-57kg/ -126lbs
+57kg/ to a maximum of 137lbs
Heavyweight (contact jon@fightleague.org with weight and determine if category will be represented at world championships)
Cadet 14 – 15 years old but under 16yrs on first day of World Championships
(Male & Female Divisions)
-40 kg/ -88lbs
-44 kg/ -97lbs
-48 kg/ -106lbs
-52 kg/ -115lbs
-57 kg/ -125lbs
-62 kg/ -137lbs
-67 kg/ -148lbs
-72kg/ -159lbs
+72 kg/ to a maximum 170lbs
Athletes above 170lbs should contact us to determine if other competitors available.
Junior 16-17 years old but under 18yrs on first day of World Championships
(Male)
Straw weight: -52.2 kg /-115lbs
Flyweight: -56.7 kg /-125lbs
Bantamweight: -61.2 kg /-135lbs
Featherweight: -65.8 kg /-145lbs
Lightweight: -70.3 kg /-155lbs
Welterweight: -77.1 kg /-170lbs
Middleweight: -83.9 kg /-185lbs
Light Heavyweight: -93.0 kg /-205lbs
Heavyweight: -120.2 kg /265lbs
Junior 16-17 years old but under 18yrs on first day of World Championships
(Female)
Atom weight: - 47.7kg /-105lbs
Straw weight: -52.2 kg /-115lbs
Flyweight: -56.7 kg /-125lbs
Bantamweight: -61.2 kg /-135lbs
Featherweight: -65.8 kg /-145lbs
Lightweight: -70.3 kg /-155lbs
Welterweight: 77.1 kg /-170lbs
CHANGING DIVISIONS:
If you need to change divisions after registering and have trouble, please see: https://support.smoothcomp.com/article/89-how-to-change-weightclass-or-cancel
ONLINE TIMELINES FOR BRACKETS:
Smoothcomp will estimate each athlete’s competition timeline. Please be ready at least 1/2 hr. prior. How to check your timeline: https://support.smoothcomp.com/article/90-find-out-your-dynamic-starting-time
The USFL Board of Directors has approved the following actions for licensees and National Championship registrants.
Prorate of all USFL Licenses:
Coaches and youth fighters licenses have been prorated or extended 9 months from date of expiration due to COVID 19 limitations on competitions since March 2020. Contact Jon@fightleague.org if you have questions on your license extension.
National Championships Tournament Registration Refund Options for 2020 Nationals applicants:
- Keep your registration active for the rescheduled event (TBA) or for future credit. We will always refund your registration if you change your mind later on. (This will be the default option if you take no further action)
- Receive a full refund by utilizing this option within your smoothcomp registration. This will also remove and refund any Team USA gear you may have ordered. Follow this link if you need help: https://support.smoothcomp.com/article/68-i-want-to-cancel-my-registration-how-can-i-do-this
- Email jon@fightleague.org to receive a partial refund. This makes sense for individuals who want to keep their Team USA gear order but get a refund for the tournament registration. We will get the gear distributed to all who pre-ordered if you use this option or just keep your registration active. Please send a precise email with name of registered athlete and the action you would like us to take. (A full tournament fee registration minus $5 to cover smoothcomp and paypal fees will be processed on this option or if you email us to process a refund.)
DONATE TO HELP OUR TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS GET TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Examples of National Media Coverage on the USFL
Sunday Night Australia 5/25/14
This is Life w/ Lisa Ling 2016
History of Youth Pankration 3/2018
A Debt paid in Full - Ruben Saldana 1/2019
U.S. Cadet World Team Announcement
More than Gold: The Story Behind the U.S. Youth World Team - 8/2019
2020 U.S. National Championships- 2020
How Martial Arts Can help Kids- 3/2020
COVID 19 and Event Cancelations - 4/2020
USFL Position on Walk of Champions & National Anthem
For media Inquires contact Jon@fightleague.org