AZBJJL will be offering two Pro Black Belt Open Weight Division for the Southwest Classic, Male Light & Heavy! Up to $6000 in money prize for two men’s Black Belt Open Champions (Under 168lbs & Over 168lbs) and a 1st place AZBJJL Open Championship Belt for each champion.  Unfortunately, no female black belt adult competitors signed up for either of the two previous Pro divisions so there will be no female Pro open weight.  For the Adult male competitors, the Open weights will replace the weight class divisions.  There will be no adult division weight classes, on the two open weight divisions.

Marcio Andre (Marcia Andre Academy) defeated Lucas Norat (Gracie Barra) at the AZ State Championship Open Class in June. Austin Baker (Sol Jiu-Jitsu) defeated Lucas Norat (Gracie Barra) in the No-Gi AZ State Championship finals. Both tournaments were seven-person brackets.

 The prize money amount is based on how many athletes register for the open weight bracket as follows:

Possible financial compensation:

$1000 * 2 to 4 Competitors/1st place $750 & 2nd place $250

$2000 * 5 to 8 Competitors/1st place $1500 & 2nd place $500

$3000 * 9 & up Competitors/1st place $2250 & 2nd place $750

In the past, high-level competitors such as Leandro Lo, Augusto Tanquinho, Robson Moura, Kron Gracie, Caio Terra, JT Torres, Bruno Bastos, Roberto Tussa, Mackenzie Dern and many more have competed in Professional divisions at AZBJJL events.

Please read the following Pro Division stipulations BEFORE registering.

Regular tournament registration fees apply. There will be only two divisions available in the adult black belt.

Brackets will be generated utilizing seeding ranking points from the 2023 season. No cash prizes will be allocated to any athlete who closes out in their final Open Class bracket match.

Please remember that the ABJJL follows the same IBJJF disciplinary penalty regarding immediate double DQ. Here is article 6.1.5 in Disciplinary Penalties: When one or both of the athlete’s disregard the seriousness of the competition or perform actions simulating a fake combat.

An athlete will need to have at least one match in order to win prize money.

In a two-person bracket, competitor A will not be financially compensated if competitor B doesn’t show up. You must have a match. If a competitor doesn’t show up in a five-person bracket, the paying scale is reduced back to the previous one. On this specific example: From $2000 (5-8) to $1000 (2-4)

In a nine-person bracket and up, if a competitor doesn’t show up, the paying scale is reduced back to the previous one. On this specific example: From $3000 (9 & up) to $2000 (5-8)

It may sound redundant; however, we want to clarify as clearly as possible to prevent misunderstandings during the event.

* Organizer has the right to make all appropriate deductions and withhold applicable taxes from the athlete’s compensation as required by law; regardless, the athlete shall be responsible for paying all athlete’s state and federal taxes.

If you are a competitor and agree with the format, sign up today!