Wyoming Combat Sports Commission

Mixed Martial Arts, Board of

Chapter 1: Definitions and General Rules

Effective Date: 06/25/2020 to 09/17/2020

Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 046.0001.1.06252020

Chapter 1

Definitions and General Rules

EMERGENCY RULES ARE NO LONGER IN EFFECT 120 DAYS AFTER

FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Section 1. Definitions.

1. (a) Act. The Mixed Martial Arts Regulation Act beginning at Wyoming Statute § 33-48-101.
2. (b) Amateur. A contestant who has never competed as a professional in any combat sport.
3. (c) Bare Knuckle Fighting. Bare Knuckle Fighting combines and incorporates the following recognized martial arts: boxing, Muay Thai, Greco-Roman wrestling, karate, judo, and folkstyle and freestyle wrestling. Bare Knuckle Fighting includes skill sets such as clinching, holding, hitting, striking with a closed fist, punching, and controlling the head, neck, arms, and upper body of opponents.
4. (d) Bout. Match, exhibition, or contest between two contestants.
5. (e) Commission. The Wyoming Combat Sports Commission as defined by W.S. § 33-48-101.
6. (f) Commission Representative. A designee(s) of the Commission assigned to carry out any and all duties as assigned by the Commission and these Rules.
7. (g) Contestant. Any individual who participates in a bout.
8. (h) Contestant deemed down. A contestant shall be deemed to be down when either of the following occurs:
9. (i) The contestant constitutes a grounded fighter per the definition set forth in this Chapter; or
10. (ii) The contestant is hanging over the ropes without the ability to protect themselves, and the contestant cannot fall to the floor.
11. (i) Event. A compilation of bouts that occur at one location during a single day.
12. (j) Fraud. Any licensee who cheats, obtains money or some other benefit by deliberate and willful deception, or intentionally misrepresents facts.

(k) Grabbing. Holding the opponent with the thumb in combination with any other digit of the hand.

(l) Grounded Fighter. A contestant is considered grounded if they have anything other than the soles of their feet touching the mat.

(m) Inspector. An inspector is a licensed official who is authorized by the Commission or Commission representative to supervise an event in conjunction with the Commission or Commission representative and carry out assigned duties at a specific event in conjunction with the rules.

(n) Kick. A strike using the foot or feet.

(o) Kickboxing. Engaging in techniques using the hands and feet.

(p) Knockdown. A knockdown occurs when a contestant touches the floor of the ring with any part of the body other than the feet following a hit, but is able to rise back up and continue fighting.

(q) Licensee. A person who has been granted a license or certificate pursuant to the Act or these rules. Licensee includes promoters, contestants, and officials (referees, judges, and inspectors).

(r) Mixed Martial Arts. Unarmed combat involving the use, subject to any limitations set forth by the Act or Commission rule, of a combination of techniques from different disciplines of the martial arts, including, without limitation, grappling, submission holds, kicking and striking.

(s) Non-Sanctioned organization. An organization that is not governed by a state or tribal athletic commission.

(t) Official. Any person who performs an official function during the supervision of a bout. This includes referees, judges, timekeepers, and inspectors.

(u) Professional. A contestant who has received any form of payment for competing in a combat sports event.

(v) Promoter. Any person, association, corporation, or organization licensed by the Commission to promote events.

(w) Purse. Is a bout earning, a financial guarantee, or any other remuneration for which contestants are participating in a bout and includes the contestant's share of any payment received for radio broadcasting, television, or motion picture rights.

(x) Renewal. The process of applying to renew a license or certificate as a promoter, contestant, or official. Each license or certificate is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance.

(y) Sanctioning Organization. An organization that sanctions professional bouts of kickboxing or mixed martial arts by a state or tribal athletic commission.

(z) Second. A person registered with the Commission to assist a contestant during a bout. To be registered, a second must pay to the Commission fee per event of $10.00.

(aa) Tap Out. Forfeiting a bout by submitting to the opponent. Contestant signals this forfeiture by signaling with any part of their body by tapping it on their opponent or the ground.

Section 2. Violations of Rules. Violations of any provision of these rules may result in disciplinary action authorized by the Act and these rules including, but not limited to, conditional licensure, licensure denial, suspension, or revocation and/or immediate ejection from the bout and event and a ban from future bouts and events.