PURPOSE: This rule defines the duties and responsibilities of mixed martial arts referees. (1) The referee is charged with the enforcement of all office rules that apply to the conduct of a mixed martial arts contest and the conduct of the contestants and contestant’s second(s) while he/she is in the fighting area, including the ring. Before the office issues a referee’s license—

1. (A) The applicant shall certify that he/she has read and understands Missouri laws and rules relating to the contest. Upon such certification the applicant is deemed to have full knowledge and understanding of said laws and rules; and

2. (B) The office may require:

   1. 1. The applicant take and pass a written

test covering professional full-contact karate or, at the discretion of the office, other mixed martial arts; and

1. 2. The applicant undergo a physical

examination by a licensed physician to determine fitness to perform.

1. (2) The office shall have the right to deny a referee’s license if, in its judgment, the applicant does not have sufficient knowledge or expertise in mixed martial arts or is otherwise deemed not responsible to act as referee.
2. (3) Referees shall not wear spectacles while refereeing.
3. (4) The referee selected for each bout is at the sole discretion of the office and such determination shall be final. The promoter is responsible for all compensation for the referee. The office will set the amount of compensation to be provided to the referee.

4. (5) Before starting each bout, the referee shall:

   1. (A) Check with each judge and timekeeper to determine if each is ready;
   2. (B) Ascertain the name of the chief second in each corner;
   3. (C) Hold the chief second responsible for all conduct in his/her corner; and
   4. (D) Verify that the physician is present at ringside.
5. (6) The referee shall inspect the gloves of the contestants in all bouts and make sure that no foreign substances detrimental to an opponent have been applied to the glove or bodies of the contestants. In the event the referee detects a problem with the gloves or other equipment, the problem shall be fixed to the satisfaction of the referee and inspector before the bout continues.
6. (7) The use of rubber or plastic gloves by the referee is not mandatory but will be left to the discretion of the referee.

7. (8) The referee may stop or terminate the bout for any of the following reasons:

   1. (A) The referee determines that one (1) of the contestants is clearly less experienced and/or skilled than his/her opponent to the extent that allowing the bout to continue would pose a substantial risk of serious harm or injury to the less-experienced/skilled contestant;
   2. (B) The referee decides that a contestant is not making his/her best effort;
   3. (C) The referee determines that one (1) of the contestants is at substantial risk of serious harm or injury and despite such harm or injury cannot or will not submit;
   4. (D) The referee determines that one (1) contestant has been knocked down. A contestant may be deemed to be knocked down if hanging helplessly on or over the fighting area enclosure or the contestant is physically unable to continue a match or to defend himself/herself; and
   5. (E) For any other reason the referee deems necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of any contestant or any member of the public.
8. (9) If the contestants are in a hold while close to the edge of the fighting area, the referee may stop the bout and require the contestants to resume the action in the center of the fighting area in the same hold the contestants were engaged in at the time the bout was stopped.
9. (10) In the event of serious cuts or injuries, the referee shall summon the physician who evaluates the injury and may recommend the bout be stopped.
10. (11) The referee shall warn the second(s) of violations of any rules relating to seconds. If after such a warning the second(s) does not conduct himself/herself in accordance with the rules, the referee shall warn the second(s) that further violations may result in disqualification of his/her contestant and/or removal from the corner.
11. (12) The referee shall instruct judges to mark their scorecards accordingly when he/she has assessed a foul upon one (1) of the contestants. The referee shall deliver the official scorecards to the inspector. When picking up the scorecards from the judges, the referee shall see to it that the cards are completed and the contestants’ and judges’ names are recorded. If not, the judges may be instructed to complete scorecards correctly.
12. (13) The referee shall ensure that a bout moves to its proper completion. Delaying or avoiding tactics, or both, should be avoided 20 CSR 2040-8

and the contestant who employs these tactics may be penalized in scoring or disqualified.

1. (14) In assessing fouls, the referee shall weigh the cause as well as the effect. If the referee has seen an unauthorized blow, strike, or attack delivered that has a damaging effect, the referee may permit a rest period to the victim not to exceed five (5) minutes. During the rest period, seconds may not assist or coach the injured contestant. The offending contestant shall go to a neutral corner and shall not be coached during the period.

   1. (A) At the discretion of the referee, the referee must give an official warning or penalty to the offending contestant for the unauthorized blow, strike or attack, and then may give the command to continue after the end of the rest period if the contestant who received the unauthorized blow, strike or attack indicates ability to continue the bout. If the injured contestant refuses to continue after a five- (5-) minute rest period, the opponent may be named the winner.
   2. (B) Additional unauthorized blows, strikes or attacks shall be penalized with deduction of points from the offending contestant or disqualification of the offending contestant.
   3. (C) A mixed martial arts contestant cannot be named the winner of a bout as the result of receiving an unauthorized blow, strike, or attack low blow unless, in the opinion of the referee, the unauthorized blow, strike, or attack was delivered deliberately and of enough force to seriously incapacitate the injured boxer so that he/she could not continue the bout. Under this condition, the offender shall be disqualified immediately.
2. (15) The referee shall warn or penalize a contestant with a deduction of points who uses the ropes, cage, or any other unfair means to gain advantage.
3. (16) Whenever a contestant has been injured, knocked out, or technically knocked out, the referee shall immediately summon the attending physician to aid the stricken contestant. Except at the request of the physician, no manager(s) or second(s) may aid the stricken contestant.

AUTHORITY: sections 317.001 and 317.006, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed April 3, 2007, effective Oct. 30, 2007. Amended: Filed March 20, 2018, effective Sept. 30, 2018. *Original authority: 317.001, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007 and 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION