About Five Rings Combat Sports | Houston Grappling Promotion

Why We Built It

Too many grappling matches are decided by the clock, by advantages or by two athletes waiting on their backs. FRCS was built to change that.

Under the Five Rings rule set, a 20-second pin ends the match, big throws score up to 5 points and pulling guard without a sweep gives the points away. Matches move faster, finishes are clear and spectators can follow every exchange.

The rules don't favor one martial art. Wrestlers, judoka, jiu-jitsu players and MMA fighters compete on the same terms, with the same three ways to win.

The Founders

Five Rings Combat Sports was started by Brandon Adamson and Joe Phebus, who wrote the FRCS rule set together.

Brandon Adamson

Co-Founder

Brandon has trained jiu-jitsu for 20 years. He built FRCS after years of watching high-level grappling that rewarded stalling over scrambles, and wanted a format with the pace and drama of an NCAA wrestling final.

Joe Phebus

Co-Founder

Joe co-wrote the FRCS rules with Brandon, with a focus on positional dominance, control and keeping every match decisive for the athletes and the crowd.

Samurai in armor beneath the Five Rings emblem

Why Five Rings

The name comes from Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings, a guide to strategy split into five books. Our emblem carries the same five: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void, with a cage in the center ring.

Five Rings Combat Sports was started by Brandon Adamson and Joe Phebus to bring wrestlers, judoka and jiu-jitsu players onto one mat under rules that reward control. Brandon has trained jiu-jitsu for 20 years.

EarthBase and habits
WaterAdapt and flow
FirePressure and pace
WindStudy the opponent
VoidInstinct under pressure

Brandon AdamsonCo-Founder

Joe PhebusCo-Founder

For Those Who Serve

Police officers, soldiers, firefighters and first responders know that ending up on your back can cost you. The FRCS rules reward getting up, holding position and finishing from the top.

At FRCS 1, the Fight for Frontline Foundation, founded by Rob Lee, will have a booth for veterans and law enforcement officers. The foundation pays for jiu-jitsu memberships and provides a gi and rash guard to get them started.

Our Partners

Join the First Card

FRCS 1 is Saturday, November 14, 2026 in Humble, Texas.

About FRCS