1. A. A mixed martial arts contest shall be held in a ring or in a fenced area.

2. B. A ring used for a contest of mixed martial arts shall meet the following requirements:

   1. (1) The ring may not be smaller than 20 feet square and may not be larger than 32 feet square within the ropes;

   2. (2) The ring floor shall:

      1. (a) Extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes;
      2. (b) Be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding, which shall extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform;

      3. (c) Have a top covering of canvas, duck, or similar material that:

         1. (i) Does not tend to gather in lumps or ridges; and
         2. (ii) Is tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform; and
      4. (d) Be free of any obstruction or object, including a triangular border;

   3. (3) The ring platform:

      1. (a) May not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building; and
      2. (b) Shall have suitable steps for the use of the mixed martial arts contestants;

   4. (4) The ring posts:

      1. (a) Shall be made of metal;
      2. (b) May not be more than 3 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor;
      3. (c) Shall be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes; and
      4. (d) Shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission; and

   5. (5) The ring ropes:

      1. (a) Shall be five in number;
      2. (b) May not be less than 1 inch in diameter;
      3. (c) Shall be wrapped in soft material; and
      4. (d) Shall be at least 12 inches above the ring floor.

3. C. A fenced area used for a contest of mixed martial arts shall meet the following requirements:

   1. (1) The fenced area shall be circular or have at least four equal sides;
   2. (2) The fenced area may not be smaller than 20 feet wide and may not be larger than 32 feet wide in diameter;

   3. (3) The floor of the fenced area shall:

      1. (a) Be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding; and

      2. (b) Have a top covering of canvas, duck, or similar material that:

         1. (i) Does not tend to gather in lumps or ridges; and
         2. (ii) Is tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the fenced area;

   4. (4) The platform of the fenced area:

      1. (a) May not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building; and
      2. (b) Shall have suitable steps for the use of the mixed martial arts contestants;

   5. (5) The fence posts of the fenced area shall be:

      1. (a) Made of metal, not more than 6 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to between 5 and 7 feet above the floor of the fenced area; and
      2. (b) Properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission;
   6. (6) The fencing used to enclose the fenced area shall be made of a material that will prevent a mixed martial arts contestant from falling out of, or breaking through, the fenced area onto the floor of the building or onto the spectators;
   7. (7) Any metal portion of the fenced area shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and may not be abrasive to the mixed martial arts contestants;
   8. (8) The fenced area shall have two entrances; and
   9. (9) There may not be any obstruction on any part of the fence surrounding the area where the mixed martial arts contestants are to be competing.

Authority: Business Regulation Article, §§4-205 and 4-301, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)