MMA Jamaica applies clear eligibility standards to ensure athlete safety, fairness, and integrity in amateur mixed martial arts competition.

Only eligible amateur athletes may compete in MMA Jamaica–sanctioned events and represent Jamaica internationally.

General Eligibility Requirements

To compete, an athlete must:

• Have a valid passport
• Be of legal age under the laws of the host country
• Be in good physical and mental condition, confirmed by medical examination
• Be properly trained and prepared for MMA competition
• Have prior experience in full-contact martial arts
• Accurately declare all previous combat sports experience

Athletes may be required to provide documentation or evidence of prior experience for eligibility review.

Age Categories

• Juniors (U21): Competitors must be between 18 and 20 years old by the first day of competition.
• Seniors: Competitors must be 18 years old and above.
• Youth Categories:
  – Youth A (U18): Competitors must be 16-17 years old.
  – Youth B (U16): Competitors must be 14-15 years old.
  – Youth C (U14): Competitors must be 12-13 years old.

These age limits ensure that participants are within a suitable range for youth
competitions.

Athletes may compete in only one division per championship.

Amateur Status

MMA Jamaica competitions are open to amateur athletes only.

An athlete is not eligible if they have:

• Competed in professional MMA
• Received a contracted purse for MMA or combat sports
• Had a professional fight record published
• Competed in MMA bouts allowing elbows or knees to the head (effective January 2025)

Amateur athletes may still receive:

• Prize money
• Sponsorships
• Reimbursement of reasonable expenses

Weight Class Changes & Records

• Changing weight class resets ranking points
• Athletes are responsible for ensuring records are accurate
• MMA Jamaica may review records, footage, and documentation to confirm amateur status

Multiple Federation Representation

Athletes registered with MMA Jamaica may not represent another national MMA federation.
Leaving to compete under a different national body results in loss of eligibility for MMA Jamaica–aligned championships.

Responsibility & Compliance

Athletes, coaches, and clubs are expected to understand and comply with eligibility rules before entering competitions to avoid disqualification or disciplinary action.