- (1) All combatants must wear such protective gear or equipment as deemed necessary by the Commission.
- (2) Each combatant shall wear appropriate shorts and wrestling or boxing shoes. Shoes shall be of soft material, and shall not be fitted with spikes, cleats, hard soles, or hard heels.
- (3) Each combatant shall wear a custom-made, individually fabricated mouthpiece. A round cannot begin without each combatant wearing a mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during the round, the referee will call “time” when there is a lull in the bout and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment without interfering with the immediate action. The referee may deduct points if he or she feels the mouthpiece is being purposefully spit out.
- (4) Throughout the bout, male combatants must be equipped with and use equipment which will preclude any claim of incapacity due to low blows.
- (5) Female combatants shall wear attire to prevent the showing of cleavage as much as possible and are approved to wear an above the elbow or sleeveless form-fitting rash guard and/or sports bra(s). No loose-fitting tops and/or breast protectors shall be allowed.
- (6) When deemed necessary by the referee, a combatant shall have his or her hair secured in a manner that does not interfere with the vision and safety of either combatant. No object can be worn to secure the combatant’s hair which may cause injury to either combatant. Inspectors shall ensure that the fingernails are clipped at a length so as not to cause injury to the combatant’s opponent.
- (7) The wearing of jewelry is strictly prohibited during all contests.
- (8) A combatant may wear soft neoprene-type sleeves to cover only the knee(s) or elbow(s). Approved sleeves may not have padding, Velcro, plastic, metal, ties, or any other material considered unsafe or that may create an unfair advantage. There will be no other taping, covering, or protective gear of any kind on the upper body of a combatant, notwithstanding the wrapping and taping for a combatant’s hands allowed by this chapter.
- (9) Each referee and all seconds (including a manager acting as a second) shall be equipped with surgical gloves which shall be worn throughout the bout.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-115-102, 68-115-201, and 68-115-203. Administrative History: New rules filed December 5, 2024; effective March 5, 2025.