Rules for Bouts/Contests

PURPOSE: This rule establishes general rules for conducting mixed martial arts bouts/contests. (1) The promoter shall have scales available for use by the office. The office may use the scales furnished by the promoter or use its own scales. All scales furnished by the promoter shall be thoroughly tested and approved by the inspector prior to being used in connection with any contest. (2) The referee has general supervision of the bout. The referee enforces the rules, promotes safety of the contestants, and ensures fair play. Only the inspector may overrule the referee if the referee is not enforcing the rules. Before starting a bout the referee shall ascertain from each contestant the name of his/her chief second who shall be held responsible for the conduct of the assistant seconds during the progress of the bout. The referee shall call contestants together before each bout for final instructions, at which time each contestant shall be accompanied by the chief second only. (3) The three (3) judges will be stationed at the sides immediately adjacent to the fighting area, each at a separate side. All bouts are scored on a ten- (10-) point must system. The judges shall turn scorecards over to the referee after each round. The referee shall then hand the scorecards to the inspector. A final decision will be made before the judges may leave the area. Any erasures or changes on the card shall be approved and initialed by the judge and inspector. (4) The promoter shall provide an adequate room for the attending physician to conduct physical examinations. Whenever a contestant, because of illness or injuries, is unable to take part in a contracted bout, the contestant or the manager shall immediately report the fact to the inspector. The contestant shall then submit to an examination by a physician designated by the office. (5) No mixed martial arts bout shall be advertised or promoted as a championship bout unless it has the specific approval of the office. (6) Rounds. (A) Non-Championship Bouts. Each nonchampionship bout shall be no less than three (3) rounds of five (5) minutes in length, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds. (B) Championship Bouts. Each championship contest shall be no more than five (5) rounds of five (5) minutes in length, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds. (C) In no event may the rest period between any round in any bout be less than one (1) minute. (7) Contestants who have been knocked out shall be kept lying down until they have recovered. When a contestant is knocked out, no one may touch him/her except the referee who may remove his/her mouthpiece, until the ringside physician enters the ring and personally attends to the contestant and issues necessary instructions to the contestant’s second(s). (8) Submissions. A contestant may submit to an opponent and end a bout by tapping the mat consecutively more than three (3) times. If the contestant is unable to tap the mat, the contestant may yell “quit” to the referee. Upon submission, the referee shall terminate the bout and declare the non-submitting contestant as the winner of the bout by submission. (9) Injuries. (A) The referee, at his/her discretion, may request that the attending physician examine a contestant during the bout. Should the examination occur during the course of a round, the clock will be stopped until the examination is completed. The physician may order the referee to stop the bout. The referee will then render the appropriate decision. (B) In the event of serious cuts or injuries, the referee shall summon the physician who will decide if the bout may be stopped. (10) If a contestant fails or refuses to resume fighting when the bell sounds starting the next round, the referee may award a technical knockout to his/her opponent as of the last completed round. (11) All licensed individuals and organizations associated with the contests are deemed to have knowledge of the applicable laws and rules of the state. Any questions or interpretations shall be referred to the office. If an immediate decision is required, it shall be referred to the inspector present. In the event a situation occurs at the contest and there are no regulations in place to cover the situation, the inspector of the event shall make a decision on the matter. The inspector’s ruling is final. The authority of the office and the inspectors shall be respected. No one shall interfere with the inspectors’ duties, use foul language towards, or make threats of physical harm toward the inspectors. AUTHORITY: section 317.001, RSMo 2016, and section 317.006, RSMo Supp. 2018.* Original rule filed April 3, 2007, effective Oct. 30, 2007. Amended: Filed March 20, 2018, effective Sept. 30, 2018. Amended: Filed Jan. 25, 2019, effective Aug. 30, 2019. *Original authority: 317.001, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007 and 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007, 2018.