Wyoming Combat Sports Commission

Mixed Martial Arts, Board of

Chapter 6: Specific Requirements for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Contestants

Effective Date: 04/20/2026 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 046.0001.6.04202026

Chapter 6

Specific Requirements for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Contestants

Section 1. Authority. These rules are promulgated under the Commission's authority under Wyoming Statute §§ 33-48-101(g) and 33-48-111.

Section 2. Bout Requirements.

1. (a) Each non-championship MMA contest shall be three (3) or five (5) rounds that are three (3) or five (5) minute durations, and one (1) minute rest periods between each round unless modified by the Commission or Commission Representative.
2. (b) Each professional championship MMA contest shall be five (5) rounds, of five (5) minute durations, and one (1) minute rest periods between each round unless modified by the Commission or Commission Representative.
3. (c) A bout may go an extra round if the bout is deemed a draw after the scheduled rounds if pre-approved by the Commission or Commission Representative prior to the event.

Section 3. Tactics Deemed Fouls. The following tactics are deemed to be a foul:

1. (a) Butting with the head.
2. (b) Eye gouging of any kind.
3. (c) Biting or spitting at an opponent.
4. (d) Hair pulling.
5. (e) Fish hooking.
6. (f) Groin attacks of any kind.
7. (g) Intentionally putting a finger in any opponent's orifice (includes laceration).
8. (h) Downward point of elbow strikes.
9. (i) Small joint manipulation.
10. (j) Strikes to spine or back of the head.
11. (k) Heel kicks to the kidney.
12. (l) Throat strikes of any kind (includes grabbing trachea).

(m) Clawing, pinching, or twisting the flesh. (n) Kicking the head of a grounded fighter. (o) Kneeing the head of a grounded fighter. (p) Stomping of grounded fighter. (q) Holding the cage. (r) Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent. (s) The use of abusive language in the fighting area. (t) Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to a fighter. (u) Attacking an opponent on or during a break which includes attacking after the bell has sounded at the end of a round. (v) Attacking an opponent under the referee's care. (w) Timidity (avoiding contact, intentional and/or consistent dropping of mouthpiece or faking an injury). (x) Corner interference. (y) Throwing opponent out of fenced area/ring. (z) Flagrant disregard of the referee's instructions. (aa) Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (bb) Applying any foreign substance to the hair or body to gain an advantage. (cc) Fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face or eyes.

Section 4. MMA Specific Equipment.

(a) A contestant may not wear shirts or gis during competition. Females may wear Commission Representative approved upper body garments. (b) A contestant may not wear shoes during competition. (c) Gloves as permitted in Chapter 9: Personnel, Facility, and Equipment Requirements.

(d) Hand wraps are required. Hand wraps shall consist of surgical gauze and athletic tape. Surgical gauze shall be limited to ten (10) yards per hand athletic tape on ten (10) feet per hand. Tape will not be permitted across the knuckles. The Commission Representative may modify the requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Section 5. Amateur Rule Differences.

(a) Amateur MMA events will follow all existing rules as stated in Chapter 6.

(b) Additional Fouls for Amateur MMA contests:

(i) Elbow strikes of any kind to any area;

(ii) Forearm strikes of any kind to any area;

(iii) Knee strikes to the head at any time;

(iv) Twisting leg submissions; or

(v) Spine locks.

Section 6. Various Martial Arts. An event of martial arts must be conducted pursuant to the official rules for the particular art. The sponsoring organization or promoter must declare the martial art that is the subject of the competition. The Commission or Commission Representative shall have the ability to regulate the event in a reasonable manner and approve or disapprove the event rules and practices on a case-by-case basis.