Method of Judging

(1) In accordance with M.G.L. c. 147, § 36, each bout shall be judged by three judges. Each judge of a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts shall score the contest or exhibition and determine the winner through the use of the 10 Points Must System as follows: (a) The better unarmed combatant of a round receives ten points and their opponent proportionately less. (b) No fraction of points may be given. (c) Points for each round must be awarded immediately after the end of the period of unarmed combat in the round. (2) In determining a score, the judges shall consider and give weight to mixed martial arts techniques, in the following order: effective striking/grappling, effective aggressiveness, and fighting area control. The default scoring criteria shall be that which is promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions, except for any specific criteria the Commission may amend, remove, or add for use in Massachusetts. (3) The majority opinion is conclusive and, if there is no majority, the decision is a draw. Use of an overtime round must be approved by the Commission prior to the event and should be requested contemporaneously upon the filing of the fight card. In order for use of an overtime round to be approved, a provision agreeing to such must be contained in the bout agreement of the combatants. (4) When the Commission’s representative has checked the scores, they shall inform the announcer of the decision. The announcer shall inform the audience of the decision over the speaker system. (5) If a fight is stopped due to an injury caused by an accidental foul, or for any other unforeseen circumstance, the round of the stoppage shall be scored and counted using the 10 Point Must System if the round is at least half way complete. If the referee penalizes either unarmed combatant in an incomplete round, the appropriate points shall be deducted. 1/27/17 (Mass. Register #1331)