Draft:North American Grappling Association
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North American Grappling Association (NAGA) is a combat sports organization that hosts submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) tournaments throughout North America and internationally. Founded in 1995, it is among the largest grappling circuits in the world, holding dozens of tournaments each year in the United States, Europe, and other regions.[1][2]
NAGA events feature both Gi (kimono) and No-Gi divisions and are open to children, teens, and adults across multiple weight and skill levels. The organization is headquartered in Connecticut, United States.[3]
History
[edit]NAGA was established in 1995 to provide competitive opportunities for practitioners of submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at a time when both sports were still emerging in popularity outside of Brazil.[1] By the mid-2010s, NAGA had grown into a major tournament circuit, reportedly hosting more than 60 events annually and claiming over 200,000 participants worldwide.[1]
In addition to grappling competitions, NAGA has also promoted mixed martial arts (MMA) events under the Reality Fighting banner.[4]
Rules and divisions
[edit]NAGA events are organized by age, weight, and experience level, ranging from children’s divisions to adult and master categories.[3]
Skill levels typically include Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert, with Gi divisions roughly corresponding to traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt rankings.[3]
Competition format
[edit]- Matches can be won by submission, accumulation of points, referee decision, or disqualification.[3]
- NAGA uses its own No-Gi ruleset, while Gi divisions generally follow IBJJF-style point systems.[3]
- Competitors weigh in prior to matches and are grouped according to published weight charts.[3]
Gender pay equity policy
[edit]In February 2025, NAGA announced that it would implement equal pay for male and female competitors in its expert absolute divisions, following public criticism over previous pay disparities.[5][6]
The new policy standardized prize payouts so that men’s and women’s brackets of equal size receive identical rewards. The decision was covered by several grappling-focused media outlets, including Jits Magazine and BJJDoc.[7]
Transgender participation policy
[edit]In 2023, NAGA revised its transgender participation policy after controversy surrounding a viral match video and subsequent boycott threats by female competitors.[8][9]
According to reports, the updated guidelines require transgender athletes to compete in the men’s divisions, while women’s divisions are restricted to cisgender female competitors. NAGA stated that the change was intended to ensure “competitive fairness and athlete safety.”[10]
Events and reach
[edit]NAGA hosts tournaments across the United States—including in states such as Georgia, Texas, and New Jersey—and internationally in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany.[2]
Local media frequently report on individual competitors participating in NAGA tournaments. For example, the Lewis County Herald profiled Tennessee athlete Grant Pasold for earning a medal at the 2025 Nashville NAGA Championship.[11]
NAGA awards championship belts to division winners in expert categories and medals for other podium finishes.[3]
Public presence
[edit]The organization maintains active profiles on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where it shares event highlights, instructional content, and tournament announcements.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Report: NAGA Grappling Made $4 Million in 2015". BJJ Eastern Europe. 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "About NAGA". nagafighter.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "NAGA Rules and Divisions". nagafighter.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "North American Grappling Association". Wikipedia (German). Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "NAGA Announces Equal Pay For Male And Female Absolute Divisions". Jits Magazine. February 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "NAGA Changes Policy After Getting Put on Blast for Paying Women Less". BJJDoc. February 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "NAGA Announces Equal Pay For Male And Female Absolute Divisions". Jits Magazine. February 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "North American Grappling Association revises its policy after tournament boycott, transgender fighters banned from competing against women". Sportskeeda. October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "NAGA releases guidelines for trans participation in grappling competitions following viral video". BJJDoc. September 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "North American Grappling Association revises its policy after tournament boycott, transgender fighters banned from competing against women". Sportskeeda. October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ^ "Pasold Wins at North American Grappling Association". Lewis County Herald. April 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
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