- (1) Bare-knuckle fighting bouts shall not extend past a total of six (6) rounds and a total of eighteen (18) minutes of fighting with one (1) minute rest period between rounds. The one- minute rest period does not count as part of the eighteen (18) minutes of fighting.
(2) Promoters are authorized to mix bout cards and schedule bouts for two (2) or three (3) minute rounds. The Commission will consider the following information when approving bouts:
- (a) Combatants record, including the record in other combative sports;
- (b) Combative sports experience by the combatants;
- (c) Skill level of the combatants;
- (d) Physical condition of the combatants; and
- (e) Any other relevant information before the Commission.
- (3) Rounds may be approved for two (2) or three (3) minutes in length. Bouts with two (2) minute rounds shall not exceed six (6) rounds for a total of twelve (12) minutes of fighting.
- (4) Bare-knuckle fighting combatants who are making a professional debut in a bare-knuckle bout shall be restricted to competing in a bout with no more than four (4) rounds that are two
- (2) minutes per round, unless the combatant has previous professional experience in boxing, mixed martial arts, or other combat sports.
- (5) Bare-knuckle fighting combatants shall not make a professional debut in bare-knuckle fighting bouts without sufficient prior experience in combative sports reviewed by the Commission.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-115-201 and 68-115-203. Administrative History: New rules filed December 5, 2024; effective March 5, 2025.