While North America's most prominent catch wrestler Josh Barnett fights Olympian Daniel Cormier to finally close the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, budding catch wrestlers get to test their mettle on the mats this weekend in Hemet, California at a King Of Catch Wrestling Tournament.

Spaces are still available, and all styles of grapplers are welcome to register (BJJ, Collegiate Folkstyle, Freestyle, Judo, Sambo etc).

Pre-event registration is $40, and this contributes to cash prizes.

Register here at KingOfCatchWrestling.com

Every competitor gets at least 2 matches since it is best 2 of 3 falls.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION Saturday May 19th, 2012
Hemet, California
Hosted by: Stable Jiu Jitsu
175 N. Cawston Ave. Suite 130A
Hemet, CA 92545
(West Hemet Behind Chase Bank)

Weigh-ins - 7:30am to 8:30am
9am - 5pm - Competition

From the website:

All King of Catch Wrestling qualifier tournaments have adopted the
Official Scientific Wrestling CACC Rule Set
below:

- Submission or pin wins. All submissions are permitted and the pin count is 3 (both shoulders must be touching for a full 3 count). Slamming and strangles allowed.

- All matches are best 2 of 3 falls.
- Win, lose, or draw format, with no point system used to determine the final outcome. In the event of a draw during tournament play, a replay is played. In the event of a second draw, both wrestlers will be eliminated.
-12 minute time limit per fall with 1 minute rest between falls.
-All matches occur in a ring or mat. Any body part on the ropes or out of bounds breaks the action and referee re-sets opponents standing in center (at referee's discretion).
-No striking, biting, eye gouging, hair pulling. Instant disqualification.
-Divisions include Super Heavy Weight (over 225), Heavyweight (over 200 lbs), Light Heavy (180 lbs) , Middle (160 lbs), and Light (140 lbs).
-All competitors must be 18 years of age or older.

The true spirit of our rules* are "Put Up or Shut Up" and harken back to American post-Civil War and late 19th Century Lancashire professional style Catch Wrestling bouts (during those days, each wrestler would bring a matching purse and the winner would take all. This provided unparalleled incentive for hard work from both players. This also prevents collusion between participants, i.e., "works", "fixes" & "dives").
Eventually special recognition for each weight class will be determined by statistical means weighted by the following criteria:
1. The competitor with the winningest record (in win, lose, draw format).
2. The most active competitor (number of matches).
3. The average length of time it takes to win each match (the shorter the better)

*Special thanks to Karl Gotch for guidance and direct input on our rules.