World Action Rivalry (WAR) is the biggest team-based mixed martial arts tournament in the world, bringing together elite fighters from across the globe to represent their nations in the most intense and prestigious competition in combat sports.
WAR isn’t just about individual glory—it’s about national pride, legacy, and dominance on the WAR canvas. This high-stakes tournament is where fighters become legends, rivalries are forged, and history is written.
32 cities compete, each with a roster of 7 fighters across distinct weight classes.
WAR introduces a best-of-7 system, where teams must secure 4 victories to win a match. Every fight matters.
With a mix of striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu specialists, teams must strategize to secure victories across multiple weight divisions.
The tournament unfolds through qualifications, eliminations, group stages, knockouts, and a grand final, determining which nation will claim ultimate supremacy.
At the heart of WAR is its groundbreaking team-based format. Each international team features seven elite fighters, each representing a unique weight class. Together, they embody the perfect balance of strategy, skill, and national pride. The updated weight divisions are as follows:
206 to to 265 lb (93kg to 120kg)
195 lb (88.5 kg)
175 lb (79.4 kg)
165 lb (74.8 kg)
150 lb (68 kg)
140 lb (61.2 kg)
130 lb (58.9 kg)
Each fight consists of 2 rounds, 5 minutes each.
If both fighters win one round each, the fight goes to a sudden death round.
Fights can also end by Knockout/Technical Knockout or Submission/Technical Submission.
Each fighter competes in their respective weight class against an opponent from the opposing team.
The team scoring system is straightforward:
Each individual fight victory contributes one point to the team's total score. To secure victory in the overall matchup, a team must accumulate at least four points.
The captains in WAR (World Action Rivalry) are the best fighters on their respective teams, leading their squad both in and out of the arena. However, the captain can only be released to fight once their team accumulates three points in the matchup. This adds a layer of strategy and anticipation, as teams must rely on their other fighters to secure early victories before their captain is allowed to step in.
WAR matches unfold in a series of seven individual fights, one for each weight class represented by the teams. Fighters showcase their skills and strategy as they battle it out on the famous WAR canvas in the high-tech arena, aiming to secure crucial victories for their team.
Striking: Punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, etc.
Wrestling: Takedowns and takedown defense, etc.
Jiu-Jitsu: Ground control and submissions, etc.
Rashguard Tops: Fighters must wear long-sleeve rashguard tops emblazoned with their country's flag and matching shorts.
Mouthguards: Custom-fitted and adorned with their country's emblem for protection.
Material: These uniforms, provided by WAR, are crafted from cutting-edge, nanofibre-enhanced materials designed to optimise durability, flexibility, and breathability. Engineered for peak performance, they allow maximum freedom of movement while actively regulating body temperature. The advanced fabric not only enhances comfort and mobility but also resists wear and tear, ensuring fighters can perform at their best while proudly representing their nation.
Groin Protection and Chest Protectors: Males wear jockstraps; females wear chest protectors.
Ankle Supports: Permitted for safety without providing an unfair advantage.
Gloves: All fighters must wear approved 4-ounce gloves during competition. Hand Wraps: Fighters are required to wear hand wraps for protection. They may wrap and tape their wrists, thumbs, and mid-hands, but no tape can be within 1 inch (25 mm) of the knuckles.
Fighters undergo thorough inspections by WAR officials to ensure compliance with attire regulations. Non-compliance may lead to disqualification.
The Association of WAR Commissions enforces strict regulations to maintain the integrity, safety, and professionalism of the sport. The following actions are considered fouls and will result in penalties or disqualification if committed:
Tampering with Opponent's Gear: No grabbing, holding, or tampering with an opponent's official fight attire or equipment.
Headbutting: The intentional use of the head to strike an opponent is strictly prohibited.
Biting or Spitting: Fighters may not bite or spit at their opponent under any circumstances.
Hair Pulling: Pulling or yanking an opponent's hair is forbidden.
Fish-Hooking:Intentionally inserting fingers into the opponent’s mouth or other facial openings to control or manipulate them is not allowed.
Canvas Integrity: Spitting or violating the WAR canvas is considered unsportsmanlike and will not be tolerated.
Targeting Vulnerable Areas: No intentional insertion of fingers into any orifice, cut, or laceration of an opponent.
Eye Gouging: Any attempt to attack or manipulate the opponent’s eyes is strictly banned.
Groin Attacks: Deliberate strikes to the groin area are not permitted.
Offensive Conduct: Fighters must maintain professionalism—use of offensive or profane language on the WAR canvas is prohibited.
Each fighter receives one verbal warning for
committing a foul. Upon a second offense, the fighter is
disqualified, resulting in a point awarded to the
opposing team.
WAR’s code of conduct ensures a fair, competitive, and respectful environment where the safety and professionalism of the sport are paramount.
Violations of these rules will be met with appropriate disciplinary measures to preserve the spirit of the competition.