The inaugural stage of the Brazilian amateur MMA circuit will be held Nov. 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Sherdog.com has learned.

"All combat sports have an amateur division with the younger guys fighting," said Marcelo Tetel, who directs the agency running the event, B-Tough. "If MMA is a sport, as we believe it to be, it cannot be different since everything is conducted with great responsibility. And that's what we will do."

The amateur circuit will allow the participation of fighters as young as 14 years old, using headgear, special gloves and other protective equipment as well as special rules.

The idea is to create conditions for Brazilian athletes to develop stronger bases and experience gradual growth in the sport.

"After this inaugural event, we will build a circuit with editions throughout the country in 2008," said Jose Mauricio Costa, executive director of B-Tough.

According to Tetel and Costa, the amateur rules have been developed to protect the athletes and encourage their technical development.

On the feet, fighters will be able to trade punches, kicks and knees, though not to the back of the head or groin. On the ground, punches, kicks and knees to the body and legs will be allowed. No elbows of any kind will be allowed standing or on the ground.

The participating athletes have to be graduates in some form of martial arts or fighting or must be represented by a technician or teacher recognized by the event organizer. Anyone under 18 will need full documentation and the express authorization of a legal guardian.

In addition to age groups and weight divisions, the athletes will be ranked according to their experience:

Category A: athletes with more than four amateur fights or professional athletes at the graduate/black belt level in any style
Category B: athletes with up to four amateur fights or professionals
Category C: debuting athletes who are not black belts

The amateur circuit has the support of the Brazilian Muay Thai Confederation and will be held at the Academy Delfim in Rio de Janeiro.