Good Fight

Good Fight is a tournament organization that hosts Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions primarily in the Northeast United States, covering New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states. Good Fight has carved out a distinctive niche by offering both points-based and submission-only divisions, giving competitors the choice between traditional scoring and a pure finishing format.

The organization is known for being beginner-friendly while still providing quality competition for experienced grapplers. Good Fight events feature both gi and no-gi divisions across youth and adult age groups. The submission-only format in particular has attracted a devoted following — competitors who want to test their finishing ability without worrying about points or advantages. For Northeast families and academies, Good Fight is a staple of the regional competition calendar.

Good Fight's points divisions follow a standard BJJ scoring system similar to IBJJF rules:

Advantages break ties when the point score is equal. They are awarded for near-successful techniques — almost completing a sweep, nearly passing guard, or threatening a submission that forces a defensive reaction.

Penalty System: - Stalling warnings escalate through verbal warning, advantage to opponent, points to opponent, and ultimately disqualification - Competitors must actively engage and work toward improving position or finishing

Match times vary by belt level and age, with shorter matches for beginners and youth competitors. The points format is familiar to anyone who has competed at IBJJF or similar organizations. See our BJJ scoring guide for more detail.

Good Fight's submission-only divisions are the organization's signature offering. In these divisions, the only way to win is by submission — there are no points, no advantages, and no referee decisions.

How Sub-Only Works: - The match continues for a set time period - The only way to win during regulation is to force your opponent to tap - If neither competitor submits the other, the match is a draw (in round-robin formats) or goes to overtime (in bracket formats)

Why Competitors Choose Sub-Only: - No gaming the points system — you must actually finish your opponent - Encourages aggressive, submission-hunting jiu-jitsu - Removes the possibility of losing to a stalling strategy - Great way to test your actual finishing ability

Who Is Sub-Only Best For? - Competitors who prefer to hunt for submissions rather than accumulate points - Grapplers who want to develop their finishing game - Athletes transitioning from points to a more aggressive style

Sub-only divisions are available in both gi and no-gi formats, giving competitors flexibility to test their submission game in either ruleset.

Good Fight organizes competitors by skill level, age, and weight:

Skill Levels (Gi): - Beginner: White belts - Intermediate: Blue belts - Advanced: Purple belts and above

Skill Levels (No-Gi): - Beginner: Less than 2 years training - Intermediate: 2-4 years training - Advanced: 4+ years training

Format Options: Each skill level typically has both points and submission-only brackets available, so competitors can choose their preferred format. Some competitors enter both for extra matches.

Weight Classes: Standard weight divisions are used, measured at weigh-ins on competition day. Good Fight typically offers enough weight classes to ensure reasonable bracket sizes without excessive waiting.

Absolute Divisions: Open-weight divisions are available at most events for competitors who want to test themselves across weight classes. Absolute divisions are typically optional add-ons.

Good Fight provides age-appropriate youth divisions for competitors from early childhood through teenage years:

Youth Age Groups: - Tiny (Ages 4-5) - Mighty Mite (Ages 6-7) - Pee Wee (Ages 8-9) - Junior (Ages 10-11) - Teen (Ages 12-13) - Juvenile (Ages 14-15) - Youth (Ages 16-17)

Youth Safety Measures: - Shortened match times appropriate for each age group - Restricted submission lists — younger divisions have strict limitations on leg locks, spine locks, and certain chokes - Experienced referees who prioritize safety - Supportive atmosphere that encourages young competitors

Youth Sub-Only: Good Fight offers submission-only divisions for youth competitors as well, which is relatively unique among tournament organizations. This gives young grapplers the chance to focus purely on finishing without the complexity of point scoring — many coaches find this format beneficial for youth development.

Youth divisions typically run first in the event schedule, making it convenient for families.

Good Fight hosts events throughout the year across the Northeast US:

Primary States: - New York (frequent — including NYC metro area and Long Island) - New Jersey - Pennsylvania - Connecticut (select events)

Event Format: - Typically one-day events (Saturday or Sunday) - Multiple mats running concurrently - Youth divisions in the morning - Adult gi and no-gi throughout the day - Sub-only divisions integrated into the schedule

Event Size: Good Fight events are moderate in size, typically drawing 200-500 competitors. This creates a competitive environment without the overwhelming scale of major national events. The Northeast has a dense concentration of high-quality BJJ academies, so the competition level is strong even at regional events.

Venue Quality: Events are held at convention centers, athletic facilities, and large gyms that provide adequate mat space, spectator seating, and parking. The organization selects venues accessible from major Northeast population centers.

Registering for a Good Fight event is straightforward:

1. Visit the Good Fight website and browse upcoming events
2. Select your event and registration link
3. Choose your division type: Points, Submission-Only, or both
4. Select Gi, No-Gi, or both
5. Enter your skill level, age category, and weight class
6. Complete payment online
7. Receive confirmation via email

Registration Tips: - Register early for the best pricing — late registration fees apply - Choose your format carefully — if you are unsure about sub-only, try points first - Competing in both points and sub-only at the same event gives you maximum matches - No federation membership required — just register and compete

What to Bring: - Competition-legal gi (white, blue, or black) for gi divisions - Rash guard and grappling shorts/spats for no-gi - Mouthguard (recommended, may be required for some divisions) - Water, snacks, and warm-up gear - Your academy or team affiliation information

Competing in a submission-only format requires a different mindset than points competition. Here are key considerations:

Training Focus: - Develop a deep submission game from multiple positions — you need to be able to finish from top, bottom, and transitions - Practice chain attacks — linking submissions together so that defending one opens another - Work on scramble situations where submissions present themselves - Build cardio for longer exchanges without point-based rest periods

Strategic Differences from Points: - No positional penalties — pulling guard carries no consequence (unlike ADCC) - Position is a means, not an end — mount and back control only matter if they lead to a finish - Draws are possible — accepting a draw is better than making a reckless mistake - Patience pays off — without a point deficit, you can take time to set up your best submissions

Common Mistakes in Sub-Only: - Being too passive because there is no points pressure - Attempting low-percentage submissions out of desperation near the end - Neglecting takedowns and positional control entirely - Not training overtime rules and procedures

Sub-only competition is an excellent complement to points training and develops a well-rounded grappler.

Here is how Good Fight compares to other Northeast tournament options:

Why Choose Good Fight? - Unique sub-only divisions not available at most other organizations - Dual format (points + sub-only) at the same event maximizes your matches - Convenient Northeast locations for the NYC/NJ/PA corridor - Beginner-friendly atmosphere with quality competition