Wyo. Code R. 046-0001-2
Mixed Martial Arts, Board of
Chapter 2: Requirement of Contestants in all Bouts
Effective Date: 09/16/2020 to 04/13/2021
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 046.0001.2.09162020
Section 1. License to Fight Applications. All contestants shall submit an application for a license to fight in a manner prescribed by the Commission. As part of the application, the applicant must report if they have been disciplined by another regulatory commission or body that regulates or governs mixed martial arts. Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted. A license must be renewed annually. Each license is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance.
Section 2. Fees. Each applicant for a license shall pay the required annual fee. The annual fee for a contestant license is $50.00.
(a) Any person who wishes to apply for a contestant license must be a minimum age of eighteen, unless a signed verification of approval and waiver is signed by the parent or legal guardian and the Commission approves. No contestant under the age of eighteen years shall be allowed to participate in a professional debut bout. The Commission may deny a license to an applicant if they have been disciplined by another regulatory commission or body that regulates mixed martial arts.
(b) Pursuant to the 'Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996' all professional boxing participants must be registered with the recognized boxing federal registry and obtain a federal identification card in order to participate in boxing bouts anywhere in the United States. Therefore, all professional boxing participants shall show proof of registration.
(a) Each contestant must be weighed in the presence of a designated Commission representative, on scales approved by the Commission at a place designated by the Commission Representative. The contestants may have all items of weight stripped from their body before they are weighed-in. The owner or operator of the premises in which the weighing-in is held shall provide adequate security for the contestants and other persons who are present. All contestants shall appear at the weigh-in and event on time as required by the Commission Representative. All contestants must report to the Commission Representative as soon as they arrive to the weigh-in and event at a place designated by the Commission or Commission Representative. Failure to report to the Commission Representative on time may disqualify the contestant from competing and may subject the contestant to disciplinary action. Unless a championship bout, contestants' weights will be rounded down to the nearest pound. The weigh-in shall be no less than six hours prior and no earlier than thirty hours prior to the scheduled event. The Commission or Commission Representative may require contestants to be weighed more than once at its discretion.
(b) Contestants are not allowed to leave the designated weigh-in area until such time as they are notified by the Commission Representative.
Section 5. Failure To Make Weight. A contestant who fails to make weight at the scheduled time of weigh-in may be disqualified from competing and may be subject to disciplinary action.
(a) All contestants shall be clean and present a clean and organized appearance. The Commission Representative has the discretion to determine whether facial adornments (mustaches, goatees, excessive sideburns) and hair length presents any potential hazard to the safety of the contestants, or interfere with the supervision and conduct of the bout.
(b) Earrings, jewelry of any kind, and body piercing adornments are prohibited during the bout.
(c) Excessive use of petroleum jelly or other substances are prohibited. The referee or inspector at ring or cage side shall remove excessive substances.
(d) The contestant's hair shall be cut or arranged in such a manner so it does not interfere with the contestant's vision. Hair may be secured using rubber bands or other banding devices but not using hairpins or hairnets. The hair must be free of all hair styling agents (i.e. mousse, gel, or spray).
Section 7. Illness of Contestant. If a contestant is unable due to illness to take part in a bout in which the contestant has agreed to fight, the contestant shall immediately report the fact to the Commission or Commission Representative and, if requested, shall submit to an examination by a physician. The fee for the physician's examination shall be paid by the promoter if an examination is requested. Otherwise, the fee shall be paid by the contestant.
Section 8. Approved Bout Attire. Each contestant in a bout shall prepare themselves with appropriate ring attire for the sport as approved by the Commission, or Commission Representative, which may include an abdominal guard, a protective cup, proper shorts, and a properly-fitted mouthpiece.
Section 9. Mouthpiece Requirements. All contestants are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The round shall not begin without the proper placement of the mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, the referee will call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first available opportunity, without interfering with the immediate action. Points may be deducted if the mouthpiece is purposely dislodged.
Section 10. Glove Requirements. The contestant or the second is responsible for ensuring that gloves are not twisted or manipulated in any way. If a glove breaks or a string
becomes untied during the bout, the referee will instruct the timekeeper to take a time out while the glove is corrected. All gloves will be checked by a Commission Representative prior to the start of a bout and any snagged, torn, or unfit gloves will not be approved for competition.
Section 11. Hand Wrap Requirements. All contestants will be required to wrap their hands in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the rules of the respective combat sport they are competing in.
Section 12. Prohibited Substances. All contestants are prohibited from using any drugs, alcohol, or stimulants during or within one hour of the bout. Any substance other than plain water or a sports drink approved by the Commission is prohibited during the bout.
Section 13. Delay of Bouts. Contestants shall be ready to enter the ring or cage immediately after the conclusion of the preceding bout. Any contestant causing a delay of more than five minutes when called may be subject to disciplinary action.
(a) All contestants may be subject to a medical suspension directly proceeding any and all bouts. The amount of time of the suspension shall be determined by the Commission or Commission Representative.
(b) All suspensions of contestants by another state or tribal athletic or regulatory commission may be recognized by the Board. Acceptable verification of license status includes but is not limited to: a confirmation from another commission showing that the contestant is not on suspension or verification that the contestant is not listed on the record keeper's database.
(a) Any contestant who engages in a bout that is not sanctioned by a state or tribal athletic commission will not be approved to compete in a sanctioned bout for a minimum of thirty days from the date of the contestant's last non-sanctioned bout and a written clearance from a physician may be required at the Commission's discretion and must submit bloodwork drawn after the date of the unsanctioned bout.
(b) Any contestant who wishes to engage in a sanctioned bout within thirty days from the date of the contestant's last non-sanctioned bout must submit, within ten days of the non-sanctioned bout, written information that demonstrates that the non-sanctioned bout met all the requirements set forth in these rules for a similar type of bout.
(c) A contestant who engages in a non-sanctioned bout while on suspension from a state or tribal athletic commission may be required to provide additional medical results before approval to compete is granted.
(d) Contestants may only participate in competition between their own gender.
(a) Pregnancy Test. Contestants shall submit a doctor's written verification of a negative pregnancy test dated within seven days of a scheduled event. The cost of the test is the responsibility of the contestant. The examining physician may fully evaluate a contestant's medical history as they deem appropriate. Female contestants must also submit to a field pregnancy test on the day of the event. Field tests will be provided by the Commission.
(b) Protective Equipment. Contestants must wear protective equipment as applicable in addition to a breast protector or a sports bra. The breast protector or sports bra must be well fitted and not interfere with the contestant's ability to compete.