A contest of mixed martial arts may end under the following results:

1. (1) Submission by:

   1. (a) Physical tap out: When a contestant physically uses their body to indicate that he or she no longer wishes to continue;
   2. (b) Verbal tap out: When a contestant verbally announces or voluntarily/involuntarily screams in pain or distress to the referee that they do not wish to continue; or
   3. (c) Technical Submission: When a legal submission act results in unconsciousness or broken/dislocated bone(s)/joint(s).

2. (2) Technical knockout (TKO):

   1. (a) Referee Stoppage:

      1. 1. Strikes;
      2. 2. Laceration;
      3. 3. Corner Stoppage; or
      4. 4. Did Not Answer the Bell.

   2. (b) TKO due to Medical Stoppage:

      1. 1. Laceration;
      2. 2. Doctor Stoppage; or
      3. 3. Loss of Control of Bodily Function.

3. (3) Knockout (KO) by:

   1. (a) Referee Stoppage: the referee stops the contest because the combatant cannot intelligently defend himself or herself:

      1. 1. Due to strikes.

4. (4) Decision via the scorecards, including:

   1. (a) Unanimous decision: When all three (3) judges score the bout for the same contestant;
   2. (b) Split decision: When two (2) judges score the bout for one (1) contestant and one (1) judge scores for the opponent;
   3. (c) Majority decision: When two (2) judges score the bout for the same contestant and one

5. (1) judge scores a draw or

   1. (d) Draw, including:

      1. 1. Unanimous draw: When all three (3) judges score the bout a draw;
      2. 2. Majority draw: When two (2) judges score the bout a draw; or
      3. 3. Split draw: When all three (3) judges score differently and the score total results in a draw.
6. (5) Technical decision: When a bout is prematurely stopped due to injury from an accidental foul and a contestant is leading on the score cards.
7. (6) Technical draw: When an injury is sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul and the bout is allowed to continue, then later the injury requires stoppage from either a legal or illegal strike to the affected area, if the injured contestant is even or behind on the score cards at the time of stoppage, the decision is a technical draw.
8. (7) Disqualification: When an injury sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul is severe enough to terminate the contest, multiple fouls have been assessed, and/or there is flagrant disregard for the rules and/or referee’s commands.
9. (8) Forfeit.
10. (9) No contest: When a contestant is prematurely stopped due to accidental injury and no decision can be made via the score cards.

Authority: Chapter 1149 of the Public Acts of 2008, § 2; Tennessee Athletic Commission Act of 2016; and T.C.A. §§ 68-115-201 and 68-115-203. Administrative History: Emergency rules 0145-01 through 0145-05 filed November 7, 2008; effective though April 21, 2009. Emergency rule filed April 20, 2009; effective through October 2, 2009. New rule filed March 17, 2009; effective May 31, 2009. Amendments filed July 13, 2023; effective October 11, 2023.