Major Updates to Buhurt International Rules and Documents

The recent Buhurt International (BI) Summit 2025 included important votes on rules, regulations, and league structure. As the league representing the United States, MC USA was present and voted on these items. While we voted against certain points, the collective decision from the other member countries resulted in all proposed changes passing.

We wanted to alert MC USA members are aware of these new standards, which are effective immediately. Below is a summary of the key changes.

Combat Rules Updates (Duels, Buhurt, and Outrance)

These are the most critical changes affecting how you fight and are scored in BI-ranked events.

Duels Rules: Weapon-Grabbing

• Prohibited Action: Competitor(s) are NOT allowed to trap an opponent's weapons by shield, buckler, and/or limbs.

Note: This means the rule is moving to the "Prohibited" category, reversing the previous allowance to trap with a shield, buckler, and/or arm (but not by hands).

Buhurt Rules: Permitted Strikes

• A competitor can strike with a free hand, provided they have a weapon in the other hand and that weapon is ready for use (out of the holster/sheath/belt).

Note: No more hand on the hilt of a sheathed weapon - the weapon must be completely removed from the belt or sheath in order to qualify as "active".

Outrance Rules: Grounded Position

• A grounded position is when a competitor has more than just the soles of their feet touching the ground, including hands, knees, back, or their buttocks. The action is permitted to continue for 30 seconds providing that the action is consistent.

Outrance Rules: Weigh-in Procedure

• Weigh-ins may be done up to 24 hours before the event starts up until the day of competition.

  
  

• If a competitor misses the weigh-in, they may have to forfeit their fight or the tournament, but they may attempt a second weigh-in before the competition begins.

  
  

Outrance Rules: Ranking and Retirement System

All competitors will be tracked via win/loss record.  

Competitors will be compared via their win/loss within their active weight category.

If a competitor does not compete for 1 year their ranking will be shifted to “retired” status. If they do not compete for 2 years their ranking and record will be deleted from the standings.

League Structure and Participation

These updates affect membership, seasonal deadlines, and tournament point calculations.

Participant Requirements

• Mandatory National Organization (NO) Membership: All participants must be a member of their home country's National Organization.

• Home Country Definition: The home country is defined as where the participant lives the majority of the year (6 months at the minimum).

Seasons Time Frame (Change) 

• The official season now Ends on December 1st each year (changed from December 15th).

Ranking Points and Multipliers (Change) 

• The point multipliers for each tier have been decreased:

  • Classic: remains at X1

  • Regional: Changed from X1.5 to X1.25.

  • Conference: Changed from X2 to X1.5.

Transfer Tokens (Change) 

• Teams will now receive 6 transfer tokens per season, down from the previous 10 tokens.

International Ranking for Invitationals (Addition) 

• The top 2 duelists (per category) and top 2 group fight teams (male and female) will be invited every other year to the Invitationals.

  
  

• Ranking is based on a team or duelist's top 5 tournaments across the past 2 seasons.

  
  

New Authenticity Documents

The Summit also introduced new Authenticity Documents that were voted on. These included new specifications for:

1. Helmet - Barbutes V2025.

   
   

2. Helmet - Bascinets with perforated visor V2025.

   
   

3. Helmet - Sallets V2025.

   
   

4. Weapons - Falchions.

These documents will be released once they are published to BI's website.

Our Commitment to You

As your league, MC USA is committed to ensuring a seamless transition to these new Buhurt International standards. We will continue to sponsor domestic tournaments and uphold the highest standard of competitive safety and fair play. We value the input of all our members and remain dedicated to supporting your fighting career both domestically and within the larger Buhurt International organization.