Requirements for Mixed Martial Arts Ring or Fenced Area
Effective Jan 27, 2017Mass. Register #1331MGL c. 147, § 46Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC)
- (1) Mixed martial arts contests and exhibitions may be held in a ring or in a fenced area.
(2) A ring used for a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements:
- (a) The ring must be no smaller than 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the ropes.
- (b) The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges must not be used.
- (c) The ring platform must not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the unarmed combatants.
- (d) Ring posts must be made of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes.
- (e) There must be five ring ropes, not less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material. The lowest ring rope must be 12 inches above the ring floor.
- (f) There must not be any obstruction or object, including, without limitation, a triangular border, on any part of the ring floor.
(3) There may be one or two triangular borders on the ring apron under the following conditions:
- (a) There must be a minimum of 24 inches from the edge of the bottom rope to the apron edge.
- (b) If two triangular borders are being used, both triangular borders must be placed on the same side of the ring.
- (c) The dimensions of a triangular border may not be more than five inches in height or more than 48 inches in length.
- (d) The seats immediately behind a triangular border must be raised from the arena floor by an amount equal to the height of the triangular border.
- (e) A triangular border must be placed at the outermost edge of the apron and secured to the apron floor by Velcro or a similar fastener.
- (f) A triangular border must be removed immediately upon the request of a representative of the Commission.
- (g) The promoter must provide the Commission with a letter from the site of the program of unarmed combat stating that the site has no objection to the use of triangular borders.