How is a ju-jitsu fighting match won?
B · Beginner · Scoring · 6 of 6A fighter who scores at least one ippon in each of the three parts wins at once by full ippon, recorded as 50-0. Otherwise the higher score at time wins. If points are level, the fighter with ippons in more parts wins, then the one with more ippons. A total tie goes to an extra round.
How it works
- Full ippon: an ippon in part 1, in part 2 and in part 3. The match ends, and the score is set to 50-0.
- At time: the higher number of points wins.
- Level points: the fighter who scored ippons in more of the three parts wins.
- Still level: the fighter with the higher number of ippons wins.
- Total tie: after a one-minute break, an extra round of two-thirds of the match time, which is two minutes for adults.
- Carried over: scores, ippons and penalties all carry into the extra round.
- Still tied: another extra round.
- Hansoku-make: the disqualified fighter's score is set to 0 and the opponent's to 50.
- No-show or withdrawal: the same 50-0.
The glossary has the full ippon, the ippon, the part 1, the fusen-gachi and kiken-gachi, the hansoku-make and the waza-ari.
Tricky cases
A fighter leads 14-2 with ippons in parts 1 and 2 only. Is that a full ippon?
No. A full ippon needs an ippon in each of the three parts. The fighter wins on points if still ahead at time.
Both fighters finish on 9 points. One has ippons in two parts and the other in one. Who wins?
The fighter with ippons in two parts.
Does a submission in part 2 count as the part 3 ippon?
No. Each ippon belongs to the part in which it was scored. The referee can show the part with the fingers before giving the sign.
What score is recorded after an extra round?
The tied score from the regular time stays in the bracket or round-robin table.
Why the rule exists
The full ippon is the sport's ideal result: one clean technique in every part of the fight. Using ippons across parts as the first tie-break keeps that ideal in view even in a close match, and prefers the complete fighter to the one who piled up points in one part.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ippon in all three parts | Full ippon; 50-0 | JJIF Fighting 8.1 |
| Time up | Most points | JJIF Fighting 8.2 |
| Level | Ippons in more parts, then more ippons | JJIF Fighting 8.2 |
| Total tie | Extra round of two-thirds of the time | JJIF Fighting 8.3 |
| Opponent absent after three calls in three minutes | Win by walk-over; 50-0 | JJIF Fighting 9.1 |
From the rule book
Ju-Jitsu International Federation, Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook (version 4.0, approved October 2022), Sections 7.3, 8 and 9 and Appendix V. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook.