Overview
The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) is a U.S.-based submission-only league founded by Brandon McCaghren, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt and prominent figure in modern grappling. Often described as “the NFL of Jiu-Jitsu,” PGF was created to transform competitive grappling into a true professional sport by introducing teams, live drafts, seasonal play, and a scoring system that rewards aggression over stalling.
Unlike traditional tournament formats where athletes are eliminated after a single loss, PGF operates as a structured league. Each season begins with a live auction-style draft, where team captains—frequently legendary figures such as Roger Gracie or Dean Lister—use a virtual salary budget to bid on athletes. Competitors then face a demanding regular season schedule, often totaling 12–15 matches per athlete, before the top individual point-scorers advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket to crown the season’s champion.
The league’s scoring system is built around the concept of real-world fight outcomes. A “Kill” (6 points) is awarded for strangle-based submissions such as the rear naked or the guillotine, representing a fight-ending scenario. A “Break” (3 points) is given for joint locks such as the armbar or the straight ankle lock, reflecting structural damage. Any submission achieved in under one minute earns an additional bonus point, while matches that end without a finish are scored as draws with zero points for both athletes.
PGF matches are designed for constant action. Regular season bouts are six minutes with no points for positional control, ensuring that only submission attempts matter. Playoff matches extend to ten minutes and, if necessary, proceed to an EBI-style overtime format where athletes begin from back control and victory is determined by the fastest submission or escape.
With significant prize money—including a six-figure team purse and a dedicated individual championship payout—PGF has become one of the most financially meaningful platforms in submission grappling. Under McCaghren’s vision, the league has successfully blended fantasy sports mechanics, professional storytelling, and elite competition, positioning PGF as one of the most innovative and spectator-friendly formats in the modern grappling world.