Wyo. Code R. 046-0001-6 – Specific Requirements for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Contestants

Wyoming Combat Sports Commission

Mixed Martial Arts, Board of

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

Effective Date: 03/28/2013 to 06/15/2018

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 046.0001.6.03282013

Chapter 6 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) CONTESTANTS

Section 1. Bout Requirements.

(a) Each non-championship MMA contest shall be three or five rounds that are three or five minute durations, and one minute rest periods between each round unless modified by the Board. (b) Each championship MMA contest shall be five rounds, of five minute durations, and one minute rest periods between each round unless modified by the Board. (c) A bout may go an extra round if the bout is deemed a draw after the scheduled rounds. (d) The referee is the sole arbiter of a bout and is the only individual authorized to enter the ring or cage at any time during a bout and to stop a bout. (e) All bouts are evaluated and scored by three judges. (f) The 10-Point Must System will be the standard system of scoring a bout.

Section 2. Warnings. A single warning will be issued for the following infractions:

(a) Holding or grabbing the cage or ropes; (b) Holding opponent's shorts or gloves; or (c) The presence of more than one second on the apron.

Section 3. Tactics Deemed Fouls.

(a) Butting with the head.

(b) Eye gouging of any kind.
(c) Biting or spitting.
(d) Hair pulling.
(e) Fish hooking.
(f) Groin attacks of any kind.
(g) Intentionally putting a finger in any opponent's orifice (includes laceration).
(h) Downward point of elbow strikes.
(i) Small joint manipulation.
(j) Strikes to spine or back of the head.
(k) Heel kicks to the kidney.
(l) Throat strikes of any kind (includes grabbing trachea).
(m) Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh or grabbing the clavicle.
(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 fenced area or ring.
(t) Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to a fighter.
(u) Attacking an opponent 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.

Section 4. Penalty for Fouls.

(a) Referees may penalize or disqualify a contestant after any foul or a flagrant foul.

(b) Fouls result in a point being deducted by the official scorekeeper from the offending contestant's score. (The judges should only make notations of points deducted by the referee, for each round.)

(i) The referee shall call time;

(ii) The referee shall check the fouled contestant's condition and safety and provide adequate time for the contestant to recuperate and resume fighting. Such time shall not exceed five minutes;

(iii) The referee shall then assess the foul to the offending contestant, deduct points, and notify the seconds, judges, and official scorekeeper.

(d) The fight will continue if a contestant in a bottom position commits a foul, unless the contestant in the top position is injured.

(i) The referee will verbally notify the bottom contestant of the foul. (ii) When the round is over, the referee will assess the foul and notify both seconds, the judges, and the official scorekeeper. (iii) The referee may terminate a bout based on the severity of a foul. For such a flagrant foul, a contestant shall lose by disqualification.

Section 5. Injuries Sustained by Fair Blows or Fouls.

(a) Fair Blows:

(i) If injury is severe enough to terminate a bout, the injured contestant loses by TKO. (b) Intentional Fouls: (i) If injury is severe enough to terminate a bout, the contestant causing the injury immediately loses by disqualification. (ii) If an injury occurs and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee will notify the Board designee or the inspector and automatically deduct two points from the contestant who committed the foul. Point deductions for intentional fouls shall be mandatory. (iii) If injury results in the bout being stopped in a later round, the injured contestant will win by Technical Decision, if the injured contestant is ahead on the score cards. (iv) If injury results in the bout being stopped in a later round, the bout will result in a Technical Draw, if the injured contestant is behind or even on the score cards. (v) If a contestant injures himself while attempting to foul his opponent, the referee will not take any action in his favor, and the injury will be the same as one that occurs by a fair blow.

(i) Any injury severe enough for the referee to immediately stop the bout will result in a "No Contest" if stopped before two rounds have been completed in a three round bout or if stopped before three rounds have been completed in a five round bout.

(ii) Any injury severe enough for the referee to immediately stop the bout after two rounds of a three round bout, or three rounds of a five round bout have occurred, the bout will result in a "Technical Decision", awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the score cards at the time the bout is stopped.

(iii) If an injury stoppage occurs, an incomplete round will be scored.

(iv) If an injury stoppage occurs, and the referee penalizes either contestant, the point(s) shall be deducted from the final score.

Section 6. Weight Allowances.

(a) Before a contestant is permitted to fight an opponent who exceeds the weight allowance as shown, the contestant must first receive approval by the Board:

POUNDS	CLASSIFICATION	ALLOWANCE
Above 265	Super Heavyweight	No limit
265	Heavyweight	65 lbs.
205	Light Heavyweight	20 lbs.
185	Middleweight	15 lbs.
170	Welterweight	15 lbs.
155	Lightweight	10 lbs.
145	Featherweight	10 lbs.
135	Bantamweight	10 lbs.
125	Flyweight	10 lbs.
Below 124	Minimum Weight	10 lbs.

(b) The Board may allow contestants over 205 lbs to compete against an opponent up to 265 lbs. In non-championship fights, there may be a 1 pound weight allowance. In championship fights, the contestants must weigh no more than that permitted for the relevant weight division. "Catch weight" bouts, in which contestants agree on a specific weight, may occur subject to the Board's approval on a case by case basis.

Section 7. Contestants Apparel Restrictions.

(a) A contestant may not wear shirts or gis during competition. (b) A contestant may not wear shoes during competition.

Section 8. Recording of Bout Results.

(a) Submissions occur by either a Tap Out or a verbal Tap Out (b) TKO's occur by a referee stopping the bout. (c) KO's occur by failing to rise from the canvas. (d) Decision via score cards occur by:

(i) Unanimous: All three judges score the bout for the same contestant.

(ii) Split Decision: Two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent.

(iii) Majority: Two judges score the bout for the same contestant and one judge scores a draw.

(iv) Draws:

(A) Unanimous: All three judges score the bout a draw.

(B) Majority: Two judges score the bout a draw.

(v) Disqualification occurs by a referee disqualifying a contestant.

Section 9. Amateur Rule Differences.

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

(b) Additional Fouls for Amateur Mixed Martial Arts

(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 10. 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 and file a copy of the rules with the Board before the Board will approve the event. The Board 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.