Description
Elite Fighting Championship: Future Stars 2
Event Information
Welcome to Elite Fighting Championship: Future Stars 2, a junior, youth & novice MMA development event designed to provide a safe, structured and professionally run competition environment for the next generation of athletes.
📍 Location: Blackrock National Hurling & Football Club, Cork
📅 Date: May 9th🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
🥊 Fight Limit: Event limited to a maximum of 100 fights
Future Stars is the official youth and junior pathway into Elite Fighting Championship events.
Fight Kit Requirements
Fighters must wear solid or neutral coloured fight gear.
- No GAA jerseys, football jerseys or casual t-shirts permitted.
- Team fight kits are allowed in any colour provided a compression top is worn.
- Shorts must be pocketless MMA, BJJ or board shorts and must fully cover compression shorts.
- Fight shorts must be suitable for MMA competition and contain no pockets.
Entry Information
Athletes will receive either a BLUE or RED wristband during weigh-ins.
- Teams are permitted up to two coaches, who will also receive BLUE or RED wristbands.
- One parent/guardian wristband will be issued for junior athletes.
Spectator Entry
€10 Entry (All Ages)
Wristbands issued upon entry.
Spectators are not coaches. Only registered coaches are permitted in fighter corners during bouts. Future Stars is a developmental learning event for juniors and teens, and all athletes are expected to be supported respectfully — win, lose or draw. Unsportsmanlike behaviour, abuse towards officials, coaches, athletes or staff will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the venue.
Divisions
Novice
First-time competitors in any martial art.
Beginner
Less than one year of competition experience in any martial art.
Intermediate
Competitors with over one year of competition experience in any martial art or athletes holding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rank of yellow, orange or green belt.
Important Eligibility Note
This is a NOVICE DEVELOPMENT EVENT.
Athletes with amateur experience in MMA or other striking disciplines may be disqualified during weigh-ins. This includes:
- Amateur MMA
- Wimp2Warrior
- Boxing
- Semi-Pro Muay Thai
- Professional Muay Thai
Competitors should not exceed:
- Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Sambo
- Brown Belt in Judo
- International representative level in Wrestling, Judo or other combat sports
Age Categories & Bout Duration
Junior A (8–12 Years)
- 1 x 3 minute round
Youth C (12–13 Years)
- 1 x 3 minute round
Youth B (14–15 Years)
- 1 x 4 minute round
Youth A (16–17 Years)
- 2 x 2 minute rounds
- Potential 3rd round decider
Novice Adults (18+)
- 2 x 3 minute rounds
- Potential 3rd round if required
Weigh-Ins
Weigh-ins will take place upon entry or a maximum of 90 minutes before an athlete’s bracket begins.
Required Gear For All Fighters
- 7oz/8oz sparring MMA gloves (pro gloves prohibited)
- Shin guards covering the foot (no metal clasps)
- Gum shield
- Groin guard
- Rash guard
- MMA or BJJ shorts (no pockets or t-shirts)
Light Contact & Safety Rules
Junior Division (8–12 Years)
- Light contact only
- No head strikes
- No ground and pound
- Excessive contact may result in warnings or immediate disqualification
Coaches are expected to ensure young athletes compete with control and professionalism.
Youth A, B & C Divisions
- Controlled striking permitted
- Ground and pound allowed lightly to the body only
- Strikes are for scoring and progression only
- Excessive contact remains at referee discretion
Novice Adult Division (18+)
- Controlled amateur-level striking permitted
- Ground and pound allowed within amateur safety standards
- No elbows to the head
- Referee discretion is final regarding excessive force
Prohibited Actions For Juniors
The following techniques are prohibited:
- Head strikes from any position
- Elbows
- Knee strikes
- Spinning head kicks
- Spinning back fists
- Oblique kicks
- Knees to the head or body
- Slams to escape submissions
- High-hip takedown lifts
- Neck cranks
- Heel hooks
- Kneebars
- Toe holds
- Jumping submissions
Guillotine Rules
- Juniors: No guillotines permitted
- Teens: Guillotines may only be finished from the ground
No standing guillotine finishes permitted.
Ground & Pound Rules
Juniors
- No ground and pound permitted
Youth A, B & C
- Light ground and pound to the body permitted for scoring and positional progression only
- Not permitted as a fight-finishing technique
- Excessive contact determined solely by referee discretion
Legal Techniques
- Standing body strikes permitted where division rules allow
- Grounded body strikes permitted only in appropriate divisions
- All submissions permitted except those specifically prohibited
Prohibited Techniques – Novice Adult Division (18+)
The following techniques are strictly prohibited:
- Elbows to the head
- 12–6 elbows
- Knees to the head of a grounded opponent
- Spinning back fists
- Spinning elbows
- Heel hooks
- Toe holds
- Kneebars
- Neck cranks
- Twisting leg locks applying lateral knee pressure
- Slams to escape submissions
- Uncontrolled suplex-style throws
- Jumping submissions
- Small joint manipulation
- Strikes to the spine or back of the head
- Groin strikes
- Oblique kicks to the knee
- Downward elbow spikes
Allowed Techniques – Novice Adults
- Controlled amateur-level striking
- Knees to the body
- Ground and pound within amateur safety standards
- Standard positional submissions excluding prohibited techniques
All contact must remain within the spirit of a developmental novice competition.
Excessive force, dangerous intent or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in:
- Warnings
- Point deductions
- Immediate disqualification
Referee discretion is final.
Queries & Changes
For all queries contact:
Changes to:
- Weight class
- Division
- Registration details
can be completed through the athlete’s Smoothcomp account until Thursday before the event at 11:59 PM.
Refunds will be issued as event credit for a future event if a suitable match cannot be provided.
