OUR HISTORY

Past events & announcements

This archive preserves earlier event information. For upcoming competition, see the 2027 event dates.

2026 events

Past tournaments

Proving Grounds XXXI Submission Only BJJ & No-Gi Grappling Tournament

  • September 12, 2026
  • Lakewood college gymnasium

Proving Grounds XXX Submission Only BJJ & No-Gi Grappling Tournament

  • Saturday June 20, 2026
  • Bellevue College Gymnasium
  • 2906 Snoqualmie River Rd. Bellevue, WA 98005

Proving Grounds XXIX Submission Only BJJ & No-Gi Grappling Tournament

  • Saturday March 07, 2026
  • Bellevue College Gymnasium
  • 2906 Snoqualmie River Rd. Bellevue, WA 98005

Ground Control 9 Gi and Nogi Superfights and CJJ

  • Saturday March 21, 2026
  • Rebellion BJJ
  • Southwest 152nd Street Seattle, WA 98166

2025 announcements

Breaking News:

* In 2025, Ground Control will feature Gi matches in our CJI-inspired Pit. If you’re a skilled submission grappler, reach out to join the action! For more information, contact us at 206-705-3968.

You asked for a division with heel hooks, and we heard you.

Proving Grounds is now featuring an Elite No-gi Division using the Global Submission Grappling Rule Set.

Everyone signed up in intermediate and advanced No-Gi divisions can join the Elite Division at no extra cost.

Wondering who the best of the best is, then enter the single-elimination bracket style tournament talking place in addition to your other divisions.

So if your about that life, Prove it! in our Elite No-Gi Division at Proving Grounds.

Fact:

In terms of the number of matches a competitor gets to take advantage, a (4) person Round Robin is equal to or better (depending on the day you’re having) than an (8) person single elimination tournament. more matches, more learning. (round robin all-day)

In an effort to stay true to our mission of offering the best possible tournament format, we will be making a few significant changes for future events. The following changes should make for a more exciting, competitive, and inclusive event.

1. Most “Dominate Academy” award. This title will be given to the academy (defined by a single address/location. Not to be mistaken with affiliation/multi locations) with the greatest number of submission finishes.

2. Due to many requests, we are now adding a “Master 4” division for competitors 50+ years of age. It is our hopes that this will bring many more of our “not as young as we used to be” competitors out for a day of fun on the mats.

Historical March 8, 2025 timetable

PROVING GROUNDS XXVI EVENT TIMES FOR SATURDAY March 8, 2025:

  • 7:30am – Doors open
  • 8:30 AM – All Youth and All Junior White belt to Weigh-In area
  • TBA – All Youth and All Junior Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue to Weigh-In area
  • TBA – ALL Youth and All Junior NoGi to Weigh-In area
  • TBA – Adult Women and Men Blue, Purple, Brown and Black belts report to Weigh-In area
  • TBA – Adult Women and Men White belts report to Weigh-In area
  • TBA – All Adult Women and Men NoGi report to Weigh-In area

Past event results

Flyer archive

Historical Proving Grounds tournament flyer 1Historical Proving Grounds tournament flyer 2Historical Proving Grounds tournament flyer 3Historical Proving Grounds tournament flyer 4Historical Proving Grounds tournament flyer 5