Sprawl in the Burgh is approaching, ladies and gentlemen.

That’s right: 247 Fighting Championships entered the grappling realm, and we’re coming out guns-blazing with our first show, Sprawl in the Burgh, taking place Friday, July 14, at 6:30 PM inside the Monroeville Convention Center.

<<< GET SPRAWL IN THE BURGH TICKETS HERE >>> 

Atop this card is a high-profile showdown between top black belts PJ Barch (10th Planet) and Dante Leon (GF Team) (read more about that matchup here).

In addition, this event features some of the area’s top black belts and brown belts, as well as youth – purple belt matchups on the undercard.

It’s primed to take grappling in Pittsburgh to a new level.

But what exactly is the format? What can you expect to see when you show up or watch the live stream?

We’re here today to break down the ruleset and structure of Sprawl in the Burgh.

1. All matches are no-gi, submission only

This format promotes action and fast-paced activity, rewarding fighters for pursuing submissions rather than competing solely for points (NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT!).

Taking place inside the 247 FC cage, we want these grappling matchups to bring the same excitement of a full-blown MMA fight, and this no-gi, submission-only format accomplishes that. In fact, we are rewarding all finishes with a $100 bonus.

If at the end of a match neither competitor secured a submission, however, the referee will declare a winner. If the match is too close for the referee to call outright, he/she will consult with a third-party cageside judge to determine the victor.

2. All matches are six minutes long

…Except for the main event. Barch and Leon will grapple for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Everyone else will be tabbed for a six-minute match.

3. Yes, there are weight classes. 

And yes, competitors will weigh in the day before.

Just like the no-gi, submission-only format, we believe giving competitors time to rehydrate and refocus produces the best-possible matches. They’ll weigh in Thursday, July 13, and they’ll be ready to roll (literally) on Friday.

4. Sprawl in the Burgh rules? Pretty standard. 

We want to encourage high-level, submission-hunting jiu-jitsu inside the cage –– but that doesn’t mean anything goes.

Some restrictions:

• No strikes of any kind (we save that for our MMA shows –– P.S. Brawl in the Burgh 17 takes place the next day, Saturday, July 15)

• No small-joint manipulation

• No spiking or slamming an opponent on their head/neck

• No slamming at all for youth divisions

• No jamming fingers into an orifice or wound

• No leg/foot attacks or neck cranks in youth divisions

• No direct attacks to the trachea or windpipe (commonly referred to as the rape choke)

• Hygiene matters! Yes, competitors need to be hygienic (that means showered/clipped nails/etc.), and they need to be wearing legitimate no-gi apparel (no zippers, pockets, exposed strings, etc.)

Ready to come see some elite grappling in person?

Snag your Sprawl in the Burgh tickets today. 

Can’t make it to Monroeville on July 14?

How to Watch Sprawl in the Burgh live stream

We are running an early-bird special on the Sprawl in the Burgh live stream! Click right here to access the pay-per-view on 247 Live.

No, seriously, do it now and save some cash.

From now until fight week (starting July 9) you can purchase the Sprawl in the Burgh pay-per-view for just $19.99. That’s a $10 discount, as the stream will cost $29.99 on fight week.

You can also access the Sprawl in the Burgh live stream –– and all of our live streams and all of our past fights and all of our special features… –– with an all-access annual subscription for $89.99.

Remember, after you purchase the PPV on stream247live.com, download the 247 Live App on iOS/Apple TV and Roku.

You’d rather watch the fights on the big screen anyway, right?

Oh, and if you have a particular fighter you’re supporting, you’re in luck. 

Write their name at checkout when you purchase the pay-per-view or an all-access subscription!

Our competitors make a commission on both ticket sales and pay-per-view sales, so your support directly supports them and helps build the grappling community right here in Pittsburgh –– and beyond.

See you at Sprawl in the Burgh –- online or in-person!