PURPOSE: This rule provides requirements to obtain approval to sanction amateur mixed martial arts events.

1. (1) An amateur sanctioning body seeking the approval of the office shall file a written application for approval. The office will provide an application form on request; however, use of the form is optional. An applicant FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

shall provide supplemental information or affidavits establishing facts upon request within any reasonable time limit set by the office. Failure to timely respond to a request for supplemental information or affidavits shall be deemed to be a withdrawal of the application.

1. (2) An application for approval shall include evidence of the amateur sanctioning body’s national reputation.

2. (3) The office has observed that the nationally recognized sanctioning bodies with which it is familiar meet the following standards, and shall only approve those proposed nationally recognized amateur sanctioning bodies that meet the following requirements:

   1. (A) The proposed nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body has a legal existence; it is incorporated or otherwise legally recognized under the laws of its domicile and is authorized to conduct business in Missouri. In the alternative, a proposed nationally recognized sanctioning body may irrevocably appoint the director of the Division of Professional Registration as its agent for service of process for all purposes in Missouri;
   2. (B) The proposed nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body has rules that provide for the exclusion of professionals from its competitions;

   3. (C) The proposed nationally recognized sanctioning body has rules that provide for the medical safety and care of its participants. At a minimum, the proposed nationally recognized sanctioning body has polices and procedures that:

      1. 1. Insure that bouts do not unreasonably

endanger the health of competitors by requiring pre-bout physicals, excluding the medically unfit from competition, requiring the attendance of physicians at ringside, restricting the types of blows that can be delivered, limiting the time and frequency of bouts, and such other conditions recommended by medical advisors; and

1. 2. Assure that payment for necessary

emergency care for injuries sustained in competition in sanctioned events is available by, for example, purchasing insurance for events or requiring proof that competitors are medically insured;

1. (D) The proposed nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body has rules that provide for cooperation with the Office of Athletics that include:

   1. 1. The prompt investigation and resolu-

tion of complaints from participants, interested persons, and the office;

1. 2. A policy of cooperation with the

office, which at the least includes:

1. A. Advanced notification to the office

of sanctioned events occurring in Missouri;

1. B. Admission of office officials with-

out charge to any sanctioned event, and any portion of the venue;

1. C. Self-report to the office of any vio-

lation of the body’s rules arising out of an event in Missouri;

1. D. A policy requiring all participants,

officials, and the body itself to appear at reasonable times before the office and truthfully answer any lawful inquiry of the office; and

1. E. Sharing the dispositions of com-

plaints with the office, upon request; and

1. 3. A system of review that assures that

the body fairly applies its rules; and

1. (E) The proposed nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body has rules that require the identification of the sanctioning body on all advertisements for events held in Missouri, at the site of any Missouri event, and upon all programs or handbills distributed at any Missouri event.

1. (4) The approval of a nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body expires on the thirtieth day of June in even numbered years. Renewal shall be allowed upon application meeting the requirements of this rule.
2. (5) The office may decline to approve a nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body, or censure, probate, suspend or revoke the approval of a nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body as provided in section 317.015.1, RSMo.

AUTHORITY: section 317.006.1, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed March 27, 2007, effective Sept. 30, 2007. *Original authority: 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996.