PURPOSE: This rule defines the duties and responsibilities of seconds for a mixed martial arts contestant.

1. (1) The office shall not issue a license to any person to act as a second unless the applicant has reached the age of sixteen (16).
2. (2) Unless special permission is given by the office, there should be no more than three (3) seconds, one (1) of whom shall announce to the referee at the start of the bout that he/she is the chief second. Only one (1) second may be inside the fighting area between rounds, the other two (2) may be on the ring platform outside the fighting area. Licensed managers may be permitted to act as seconds without being licensed as a second. While acting as a second, a licensed manager shall observe all rules pertaining to the conduct of seconds.
3. (3) Seconds shall not enter the ring or fighting area until the timekeeper indicates the end of the round. Seconds shall leave at the sound of the timekeeper’s whistle or buzzer before the beginning of each round. If the chief second or anyone for whom the second is responsible enters the ring or fighting area before the bell ending the round has sounded, his/her license may be subject to discipline and the contestant whom he/she is handling may be disqualified. While the round is in progress, the chief second may mount the apron of the ring or fighting area and attract the referee’s attention indicating the retirement of the contestant. A second may not enter the ring or fighting area unless the referee stops the bout and shall not interfere with a count that is in progress.
4. (4) Seconds may not stand or lean on the ring or fighting area apron during the round.

5. (5) The second shall be equipped with:

   1. (A) A clear plastic bottle;
   2. (B) A bucket containing ice;
   3. (C) Adhesive tape;
   4. (D) Gauze;
   5. (E) Scissors;
   6. (F) Extra mouthpiece;
   7. (G) Cotton swabs;
   8. (H) Vaseline; and
   9. (I) Pressure plates.

6. (6) Only the following substances may be used to stop hemorrhaging:

   1. (A) A solution of adrenaline 1/1000;
   2. (B) Avintene; and
   3. (C) Thrombin.
7. (7) Before leaving the ring or fighting area at the start of each round, the seconds shall remove all obstructions, buckets, stools, bottles, towels and robes from the fighting area.
8. (8) Seconds violating any provisions of this rule may be immediately ejected from the ring or fighting area corner.
9. (9) The use of rubber or plastic gloves is not mandatory, but may be left to the discretion of the seconds for their use during the bout.

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.