Allows elbow strikes except ones hitting downwards with the point of the elbow. Prohibits 'spiking' a fighter on the head during a takedown or slam. Prohibits stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent (more than feet touching ground). A fighter on the ground can kick upwards at their opponent's head only if their opponent is standing. Prohibits grabbing the fence with your fingers to control either your body position or your opponent's. You can put your hands on the fence, as well as push off of the fence, but you are not allowed to use your fingers to grasp the fencing. The first offense is a verbal warning to let go. If the fence is still held then the referee will tap the hand to physically remind the fighter to release. If that doesn't work, a foul is issued. Prohibits shoes, shirts and pants. Only boxing-styled shorts and padded MMA gloves are allowed. Uses three 5-minute rounds. Championship bouts are five 5-minute rounds. Matches scored through the 10-point must system NSAC does not allow the earlier single-event tournament format. Tests fighters for steroids and other illegal substances in championship bouts.

Uses a 10-minute first round with 5-minute second and third rounds. Prohibits elbow strikes to the head. Allows stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent. No purposely holding the ropes. Fighters cannot purposely hang an arm or leg on the ropes. Hanging on the ropes will result in an immediate warning. If fighters commit the following actions, they shall be given a yellow card by officials: Stalling or failure to initiate any offensive attack, making no attempt to finalize the match or damage the opponent, and holding the opponent's body with the arms and legs to produce a stalemate. A yellow card results in a 10% deduction/fine of the fighter's fight purse. A major difference in the penalty card system between PRIDE FC and BUSHIDO is that in PRIDE FC a total of three yellow cards results in a red card (disqualification), while in BUSHIDO yellow cards can be given out in an unlimited number without disqualification Uses tournament format to award Grand Prix champions. "BUSHIDO" event series usually consist of Lightweight (‹73 kg) and Welterweight (‹83 kg) fights, although fighters from all weight classes compete in Bushido events.

Rounds are all five minutes long with one minute in between. Non championship fights are all three rounds, and all championship fights are five rounds.

Ways To Win:

1. Submission by:
   •Physical tap out.
   •Verbal tap out.
2. Technical knockout by the referee stopping the contest.
3. Decision via the scorecards, including:
   •Unanimous decision.
   •Split decision.
   •Majority decision.
   Draw, including:
   •Unanimous draw.
   •Majority draw.
   •Split draw.
4. Technical decision.
5. Technical draw.
6. Disqualification.
7. Forfeit.
8. No contest.

Prohibits:

1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks of any kind.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
16. Stomping a grounded opponent.
17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
30. Interference by the corner.
31. Throwing in the towel during competition.

Uses two 5-minute rounds, with an extra round option should the judges be unable to determine a clear winner of the fight. Prohibits elbow strikes to the head, kicking by a fighter in the standing position to the face and head of a fighter in the ground position (When both fighters are in the ground position, kicking to the face and head of the opponent fighter is allowed). Knee kicking to the face and head of a fighter in the state of any ground position including 4-point position etc. is also illegal.

Weight classes are currently being established. Lightweight is under 75 kg, others to be announced shortly. Has moved to a tournament format similar to that seen in K-1, with an eight man tournament. However, the final matches are not decided on the same evening, but at later events. It is unsure if this format will become the standard at this time.

Rounds are all five minutes long with one minute in between. Non championship fights are all two or three rounds, and all title and superfights are five rounds.

Matches are won by: Knock out, Tap out, Referee stoppage, Corner throwing in the towel, Event doctor stoppage, Decision- based equally on striking, grappling, and aggression.

1. No head butting, eye gouging, hair pulling or fish hooking.
2. No strikes (kicks, elbows, punching) to the back of the head or spinal area.
3. No small joint manipulation (control of four or more fingers/toes is necessary).
4. No intentionally throwing your opponent out of the cage.
5. No chopping down your opponent with elbow strikes.
6. No kicking to the head when an opponent is down. A downed opponent is considered to have three points down (for example, two legs and one arm).
7. Speedos or Vale Tudo shorts only. In some markets, rash guards and wrestling singlets are allowed.
8. Wrestling shoes or bare feet only. Wrestling shoes must be approved.
9. Neoprene joint supports only, no metal joint supports.
10. Finger and toe nails must be trimmed.
11. Absolutely no body grease, gels or lotions can be used.
12. Groin protection and a mouth piece must be used.
13. Fighters must wear padded grappling gloves that have been approved by the referee.

Uses two 5-minute rounds. Does not use judges. The fight is declared a draw if there is no KO, TKO, Submission. Allows elbow and knee strikes only if they are covered by padding. Does not allow attacking head with strikes when one fighter is in downed position.

Uses A, B, and C levels. The C level is considered for amateurs only. Every level has its own rules and restrictions. The C level rules require headgear to be worn and prohibit striking on the ground. In case of a knockdown (when any part of a competitor's body touches the mat solely as the result of a strike) the referee will perform a 10-count. The competitor has until the count of 10 to return to a standing position. Three knock downs in a single round will end the bout. There is also a mandatory standing 8-count.

Uses three 4-minute rounds. Fighters use different gloves ( Compared to other organizations) that have more padding. Fighters are divided into teams. Each team consists of five fighters, one representing each weight division of the International Fight League (lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight), and one head coach. Prohibits elbow strikes to the head, as well as stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent.

Some information included in this article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mixed Martial Arts". Other information was derived from the respective leagues website.