PURPOSE: This rule defines prohibited conduct for mixed martial arts bouts/contests and establishes related penalties and/or sanctions.

1. (1) Fouls. The following actions in a mixed martial arts bout or contest are defined as fouls:

   1. (A) Head butting;
   2. (B) Eye gouging or openhand attacks to the eyes;
   3. (C) Biting;
   4. (D) Groin attacks of any kind;
   5. (E) Pulling hair, ear or the nose;
   6. (F) Palm heel strikes (using the heel of the palm of the hand to deliver a blow to the face);
   7. (G) Fish hooking which is defined as grasping or pulling the inside of an opponent’s cheek or nose;
   8. (H) Inserting any body part into any orifice or into any cut or laceration of an opponent;
   9. (I) Obstruction of breathing through the mouth or nose;
   10. (J) Small joint manipulation (e.g., twisting of fingers or toes);
   11. (K) Striking the spine, the medulla and/or the back of the head;
   12. (L) Elbow attacks to the head or the face of the opponent;
   13. (M) Driving or spiking an opponent straight to the ring or fighting area floor on his head or neck from an upright and vertical position;
   14. (N) Attacking fingers;
   15. (O) Striking downward using the point of the elbow. Arcing elbow strikes are permitted;
   16. (P) Throat attacks or strikes of any kind, including, without limitation grabbing, striking or obstructing the trachea;
   17. (Q) Clawing, twisting or pinching the flesh;
   18. (R) Grabbing the clavicle;
   19. (S) Kicking, kneeing or stomping the head of an opponent who is down or not standing. For purposes of this section, a contestant is down when any part of his/her body, other than his/her feet, touch the floor or if he/she is hanging helplessly on or over the fighting area enclosure;
   20. (T) Kicking to the kidney with the heel;
   21. (U) Spiking an opponent to the canvas on their head or neck;
   22. (V) Intentionally pushing, shoving, wrestling or throwing an opponent out of the ring or fighting area;
   23. (W) Holding the shorts or glove of an opponent and/or intentionally grabbing anything the opponent is wearing;
   24. (X) Spitting on an opponent, referee or any other person;
   25. (Y) Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent or poses a safety risk;
   26. (Z) Grabbing or holding the ropes, cage or fighting area enclosure and/or hanging the limbs of the body over the rope during a bout or contest;
   27. (AA) Using abusive language or illicit gestures in or near the fighting area;
   28. (BB) Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee or during the break;
   29. (CC) Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round or bout;
   30. (DD) Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee;
   31. (EE) Escaping or leaving the fighting area during the course of the bout or contest;
   32. (FF) Intentional evasion of contact with an opponent, intentionally not using best efforts, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury;
   33. (GG) Interference from anyone working the corner or anyone leaving the corner area, including, throwing any object on or into the fighting area by a contestant’s corner staff; and
   34. (HH) Throwing in the towel during competition.

2. (2) Injuries Sustained by Fouls.

   1. (A) Intentional Fouls.

      1. 1. If an intentional foul causes an injury,

and the injury is severe enough to terminate a bout immediately, the contestant causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.

1. 2. If an intentional foul causes an injury

and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee may notify the authorities and deduct two (2) points from the contestant who caused the foul. Point deductions for intentional fouls are mandatory.

1. 3. If an intentional foul causes an injury

and the injury results in the bout being stopped in a later round, the injured contestant shall win by technical decision if he/she is ahead on the scorecards or the bout shall result in a technical draw if the injured contestant is behind or even on the scorecards.

1. 4. If a contestant injures himself/herself

while attempting to intentionally foul his/her opponent, the referee shall not take any action in his/her favor, and this injury shall be the same as one produced by a fair blow.

1. 5. If the referee feels that a contestant

has conducted himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner he/she may stop the bout and disqualify the contestant; and

1. (B) Accidental Fouls.

   1. 1. If an accidental foul causes an injury

severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout shall result in a no contest if stopped before half of the scheduled rounds have been completed.

1. 2. If an accidental foul causes an injury

severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately after half of the scheduled rounds have been completed, the bout may result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the scorecards at the time the bout is stopped. A partial or incomplete round shall be scored. If no action has occurred, the round shall be scored as an even round. This is at the discretion of the judges.

1. 3. A contestant who is hit with an acci-

dental low blow must continue after a reasonable amount of time, but no more than five (5) minutes, or he/she may lose the bout by technical knockout.

1. (3) Except as provided herein, any contestant guilty of foul tactics in a round shall be given an immediate warning or points may be deducted from the contestant’s total score, or both, as determined by the referee. The use of foul tactics may also result in the disqualification of the contestant.
2. (4) A contestant who intentionally refuses to engage an opponent for a prolonged period of time shall receive an immediate warning from the referee. If the contestant continues these tactics after a warning, a point(s) may be deducted by the referee.

AUTHORITY: sections 317.001 and 317.006, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed April 3, 2007, effective Oct. 30, 2007.

*Original authority: 317.001, RSMo 1983, amended 1996 and 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996.