Australia's Premier Team Grappling League
About Apex Submission League
Australia's team grappling league, built by people who know the sport.
Why ASL Exists
The Gap We Closed
World-class athletes were competing in low-production events with inconsistent refereeing, unclear standards, and no pathway for teams to build an identity. The sport had the talent. It didn't have the league.
ASL was built to bridge that gap - a professional submission grappling league structured around seasons, standings, rivalries, and a Main Stage that treats every athlete like they belong on it.
Not just another tournament. A league with a season, standings, rivalries, and a main stage worth competing on.
Apex Submission League (ASL) is Australia's first professional team-based submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu organisation. Founded in 2025, ASL operates a structured seasonal league format in which registered teams of up to four athletes (three on the mat, one on the bench) face off in submission-only no-gi bouts across three 3-minute rounds. The Founding Season comprises three events: ASL 1 (11 April 2026 - complete), ASL 2 (11 July 2026 - complete), and ASL 3 (date TBA). ASL is headquartered in Australia and operates divisions including the Pro League, Amateur Series, Youth League, and Women's Division.
Our Mission
ASL exists to raise the standard of grappling in Australia - through professional presentation, fair competition, and a platform for teams to build legacy.
What We Stand For
Our Values
Discipline
Every rule, every standard, every call is made with purpose. We hold the bar high because the athletes deserve it.
Integrity
Consistent refereeing, transparent results, and decisions made in the interest of the sport - not convenience.
Respect
For competitors, coaches, officials, and fans. The culture of ASL starts with how people are treated on and off the mat.
Safety First
Medical staff, clear submission rules, and trained officials at every event. Competitor welfare is never a negotiable.
Community
Gyms, teams, and individual competitors all have a home here. This league was built for the broader grappling community.
Legacy
Founding Season is the beginning. Every submission, every result, every event becomes part of a permanent record.
Affiliations & Recognition
ASL operates with the support of the Martial Arts Sports Association (MASA).
The Team
Built By
Khan Morris
Founder & Director
Grappling coach and certified fight official. Built the structure, rule system, and standards that underpin ASL.
Jordan Nikora
Co-Founder
Brings operational depth and a competitor's perspective to every decision made inside the league.
Matthew Arraiza
Co-Founder
Leads growth, digital presence, and the systems that connect the league with its community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apex Submission League (ASL) is Australia's first professional team-based submission grappling organisation. Teams of up to four - three on the mat, one on the bench - compete in a 3v3 (+1 bench) format across structured seasonal events with professional production, trained officials, and safety-first standards.
ASL 1: Founding Season took place on 11 April 2026 at Legacy Combat Sports Stadium, 12 Bilinga Rd, Kincumber NSW 2251. ASL 2 - Earn Your Stripes - was held at the same venue on 11 July 2026 (complete). ASL 3 date TBA.
ASL was founded by Khan Morris (Founder & Director), Jordan Nikora (Co-Founder), and Matthew Arraiza (Co-Founder). The leadership team brings together grappling coaching, fight officiating, competition experience, and digital operations.
ASL was founded in 2025. The Founding Season opened on 11 April 2026 (ASL 1), continued with ASL 2 on 11 July 2026 (complete), and runs on with ASL 3 (date TBA).
ASL operates as a league, not a one-off tournament. Teams compete across a structured season with standings, rivalries, and a championship. The format is submission-only with no points system, professional broadcast-style production, and trained officials at every event.
Ready to Be Part of the League?
Whether you're competing, watching, or partnering - Founding Season is where it begins.