Quintet (grappling)

Quintet is a team-based grappling competition format developed by Kazushi Sakuraba. It differentiates itself from other grappling tournaments through its unique ruleset, emphasis on team strategy, and elimination-style bouts. Teams, typically consisting of five members, face off against each other in a series of matches.

The core concept of Quintet revolves around a "total weight" limit for each team, ensuring a mix of athlete sizes and forcing strategic choices in team composition. Individual matches are typically shorter than standard grappling matches, often lasting between five to ten minutes, and utilize a submission-only rule set. Draws are common due to the time limit and are strategically utilized.

Unlike individual grappling tournaments, Quintet places a high value on team dynamics. Losing a match results in the elimination of that team member. If a match ends in a draw, the competitors' weights are compared. The heavier competitor is eliminated. The winner of each match remains on the mat to face the opposing team's next competitor. This continues until one team has eliminated all five members of the opposing team, resulting in a team victory. The strategic consideration of opponent pairings and conservation of a team's stronger grapplers becomes paramount to success.

Quintet has gained popularity for its fast-paced action, innovative format, and focus on team strategy, providing a distinct experience compared to traditional one-on-one grappling competitions.