MMA RULES

FOR THE CONDUCT OF
PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CONTESTS IN VICTORIA

CONTENTS

Contents…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

1.PURPOSE

2.GENERAL

3.DEFINITIONS

4.WEIGHT DIVISIONS

5.THE WEIGH-IN

6.THE PROMOTER

7.THE CONTESTANT

8.THE TRAINER

9.THE REFEREE

10.THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

11.THE JUDGES

12.THE TIMEKEEPER

13.CODE OF CONDUCT

1.PURPOSE

1.1Mixed Martial Arts (“MMA”) is a full contact combat sport which allows a wide range of fighting techniques.

1.2The purpose of these rules is to supplement the requirements of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 (the Act) and the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Regulations 2008(the Regulations) that apply to professionalMMA contests in Victoria.

1.3These rules are issued by the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board of Victoria in the interests of safety and integrity of professional MMA contests conducted in Victoria.

2.GENERAL

2.1It is a condition of any license, registration or permit issued by the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board that all license, registration or permit holders comply with these rules.

2.2A breach of any such condition may result in a license, registration or permit being cancelled or suspended or any license, registration or permit conditions being varied.

2.3The Board may vary, revoke or waive these rules at any time.

3.DEFINITIONS

the Act means the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985

approved shorts means shorts approved by the Board.

the Board means the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board as defined in section 14 of the Act.

a foul means any of the following:

  1. butting with the head;
  2. eye gouging of any kind;
  3. biting;
  4. hair pulling;
  5. fish hooking;
  6. spiking the opponent to the canvas onto the head or neck (pile-driving);
  7. strikes to the spine (including the tailbone) or back of the head;
  8. throat strikes of any kind and/or grabbing the trachea;
  9. fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s face/eyes;
  10. downward pointing elbow strike (the use of linear straight up straight down elbow strikes- known as a “sky to earth” - is prohibited, however any arc or any angle change from straight up to straight down makes the strike legal);
  11. groin attacks of any kind;
  12. kneeing or kicking the head of a grounded opponent;
  13. stomping onany part of a grounded opponent;
  14. holding an opponent’s gloves or shorts;
  15. holding or grabbing the safety enclosure with limbs, fingers or toes;
  16. small joint (finger and toe) manipulation;
  17. throwing an opponent out of the safety enclosure;
  18. intentionally placing a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration of your opponent;
  19. clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh of the opponent;
  20. timidity (avoiding contact, or consistently dropping the mouthpiece, or faking an injury);
  21. use of abusive language in the safety enclosure;
  22. flagrant disregard for the referee’s instructions;
  23. unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent;
  24. attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the combat period;
  25. attacking an opponent on or during the break;
  26. attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee; and
  27. interference from a contestant’s corner or seconds.

grounded opponent means where a contestanthas both hands on the ground, either palms or fists, or any other part of the contestant’s body except for the hands and feet are touching the mat.

promoter means any person who promotes a professional contest.

promotion means an event consisting of one or more professional contests and includes any preliminary arrangements in connection with such an event.

recorder means a member of the Combat Sports Unit or a delegate appointed by the unit who records the judges’ scores and provides final results to the announcer.

judge means a person who is appointed by the Board who determines the points scored by each contestant in a professional contest.

referee means a person appointed by the Board who controls, or exercises any form of control, over the conduct of professional contestants during a professional contest.

match-maker means a person who acts on behalf of a promoter to arrange professional contests between professional contestants.

seconds means a licensed trainer or the corner of the contestant.

timekeeper means a person appointed by the Board who measures time with the assistance of a clock or stopwatch for the purposes of signalling the beginning and end of a round of a professional contest.

trainer means a person who supervises the training or instruction of a professional contestant or who accompanies a professional contestant into the safety enclosure to give advice or assistance during a professional contest.

4.WEIGHT DIVISIONS

4.1Weight divisions are the currentlyrecognised weight divisions for professional MMAcontestants in Victoria as set by the Board.

4.2Weight classes are defined in maximum allowable kilograms.

4.3The classes for MMA contests and the weights for each class shall be:

WEIGHT DIVISIONS –PROFESSIONAL MMA CONTESTANTS

Weight class / Upper weight (kgs)
Strawweight / 52.2
Flyweight / 56.7
Bantamweight / 61.2
Featherweight / 65.8
Lightweight / 70.3
Welterweight / 77.1
Middleweight / 83.9
Light Heavyweight / 93.0
Heavyweight / 120.2
Super Heavyweight / 120.3

4.4The Board may also approve catch weight bouts if the Board reasonably believes the contest would be fair, safe and competitive.

5.THE WEIGH-IN

5.1There will be one official weigh-in unless otherwise approved by the Board.

5.2All contestants must be at the official weigh-in unless otherwise approved by the Board.

5.3The weigh in will be held no more than 24 hours before the scheduled start time of the Promotion unless otherwise approved by the Board.

5.4If any bout of a Promotion is postponed for more than 24 hours after the original scheduled date, all contestants for those bouts postponed must weigh-in again.

5.5The scales used for weigh-ins shall be provided by the Combat Sport Unit and approved by the Board.

5.6Contestants are to weigh-in wearing only underwear (including a sports bra or like for female competitors) and/or shorts or attire as otherwise approved by the Board. For the avoidance of doubt, no shoes will be permitted to be worn on the scales when a contestant is being weighed in on the scales.

5.7A contest will only be permitted to proceed if the contestant falls within the following weight restrictions:

  1. If the lighter contestant’s weight is less than 57.15 kilograms then the difference in weight between the two contestants must be no more than two kilograms;
  2. If the lighter contestant’s weight is between 57.15 and 72.57 kilograms then the difference in weight between the two contestants must be no more than five kilograms;
  3. If the lighter contestant’s weight is between 72.57 and 79.38 kilograms then the difference in weight between the two contestants must be no more than six kilograms; or
  4. If the lighter contestant’s weight is between 79.38 and 90.72 kilograms then the difference in weight between the two contestants must be no more than eight kilograms.
  5. Contestants are allowed two hours after the official weigh-in commencement time to make the agreed weight or satisfy the weight restrictions above and are allowed any number of times on the scales during that time.
  6. If a contestant is unable to make the agreed weight, the trainer of that contestant’s opponent may accept or refuse the bout at their sole discretion.
  7. For the avoidance of doubt, a contestant who does not satisfy the weight restrictions above shall not be permitted to compete.
  8. For a title contest, if either contestant fails to make the weight, the Board should follow the approved protocols of the relevant title sanctioning organisation.

6.THE PROMOTER

General requirements

6.1The promoter must comply with all of the conditions of their promotion permit, including the Code of Conduct.

6.2The promoter must also ensure the following:

  1. the safety enclosure and platform comply with the specifications outlined herein;
  2. the contestants’ gloves comply with the rules outlined herein;
  3. all contestants are registered;
  4. all trainers hold a current trainer’s licence;
  5. the contestant’s corners are marked red or blue or as otherwise approved by the Board;
  6. that there are no more than four seconds in a contestant’s corner at any one time;
  7. the safety enclosure’s side security is maintained;
  8. the lighting is adequate for the conduct of the contest;
  9. a bucket is placed in each contestant’s corner;
  10. petroleum jelly is made available for application to the head of contestants;
  11. a sufficient number of clean buckets are available for the use of the contestants;
  12. any water, ice, or liquid spilt is wiped up between rounds;
  13. stools are available for contestants between rounds;
  14. a spinal board is kept beside the safety enclosure; and
  15. that paramedics have a clear, unobstructed route to access the safety enclosure and evacuate an injured contestant (the evacuation route). The promoter is to inspect this route with the medical practitioner and Board members prior to the commencement of the contest.

The safety enclosure

6.3All professional MMA contests in Victoria must be conducted in a safety enclosure.

6.4The safety enclosure must:

  1. have six, eight or ten equal sides; and
  2. be between 6.01 metres and 9.75 metres wide.
  3. Fence posts must:
  1. be made of metal;
  2. be no more than 15.24 centimetres in diameter;
  3. extend from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 1.47metres above the floor of the fenced area; and
  4. be properly padded in a manner approved by the Board.
  5. The fencing used to enclose the area must be made of a material andaffixed in such a manner that will prevent a contestant from falling out of or breaking through the fenced area.
  6. The fenced area must have two entrances, positioned on opposite sides of the safety enclosure.
  7. There must not be any obstruction on any part of the fenced area.
  8. Proper steps must be provided for contestants to enter and exit the safety enclosure.

The platform

6.10The platform where the contest takes place must:

  1. be padded with a closed cell foam; and
  2. have a layer of padding at least 2.54 centimetres thick.
  3. The padding must be covered with a non-slip canvas or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the platform.

Contestants’ gloves

6.12Gloves are to be supplied by the promoter.

6.13All gloves used for any bout of a promotion must be approved by the Board.

6.14Contestants must use approved light gloves (4oz) that allows the fingers to grab.

6.15All gloves must be new or in as new condition.

6.16All gloves are to be sufficiently clean to the satisfaction of the Board prior to being supplied to the contestants.

6.17All gloves and external taping must be approved by the Board prior to each bout.

6.18No liquid, powder or any other substance (other than tape to secure the gloves around the wrist as approved by the Board) is to be applied to a contestant’s gloves.

6.19Red and blue coloured tape must be made available to be applied to the lower part of each contestant’s gloves to correspond to the colour of their respective corner.

Changes to the advertised main event or major supporting contest

6.20If a change to the advertised main event or major supporting contest of a promotion is made, the promoter must give notice by displaying a notice at the box office and making an announcement of the change from the ring before the opening contest.

6.21If there is a change to the advertised main event or major supporting contest and any of the patrons decide that they want their tickets refunded, the promoter must refund the price of the tickets if the tickets and the ticket stubs are presented at the box office within 30 minutes after the (first) announcement is made.

7.THE CONTESTANT

General requirements

7.1A contestant must comply with all conditions of registration, including the Code of Conduct.

7.2A contestant must be 18 years or over to compete in any professional MMAcontest.

7.3A contestant must not be under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs.

7.4A contestant must comply with any drug testing requirement required by the Board from time to time.

7.5At all times during a contest, a contestant must wear a mouth guard as fitted by a dentist or an advanced dental technician.

7.6All male contestants must wear an approved groin protector.

7.7Long hair is to be secured with soft and non-abrasive materials.

7.8A contestant must not commit a foul during a bout.

7.9Contestants must not leave the safety enclosure during the rest period between rounds. If this occurs, the contestantwill be disqualified and the contest will be deemed to be over.

7.10Contestants will not be permitted to start their bout until such time as the Board has approved their bandages and gloves.

7.11No excessive grease or any other foreign substance is to be used on the face or body of a contestant.

Contestants’ gloves

7.12Gloves are to be supplied by the promoter.

7.13All gloves used for any bout of a promotion must be approved by the Board.

7.14Contestants must use approved light gloves (4 Oz) that allows the fingers to grab.

7.15All gloves must be new or in as new condition.

7.16All gloves are to be sufficiently clean to the satisfaction of the Board prior to being supplied to the contestants.

7.17All gloves and external taping must be approved by the Board prior to each bout.

7.18No liquid, powder or any other substance (other than tape to secure the gloves around the wrist as approved by the Board) is to be applied to a contestant’s gloves.

7.19No liquid, powder or any other substance (other than tape to secure the gloves around the wrist as approved by the Board) is to be applied to a contestant’s gloves.

Contestants’ attire

7.20The following items of clothing are prohibited during competition:

  1. gi;
  2. gi pants;
  3. shirts; and
  4. any pants below the contestant’s knee.
  5. All females must compete in a sports bra, fitted lycra rash guard or equivalent.
  6. No clothing can be comprised of any solid, hard or abrasive material of any kind.

Jewellery

7.23The Contestant must not wear any jewellery or other piercings accessories while competing in a contest.

Hand wraps

7.24A soft surgical bandage or similar material not exceeding 5 centimetres in width may be worn on each hand.

7.25One layer of adhesive tape no more than 2.5 centimetres in width may be placed on the back of each hand to protect that part of the hand near the wrist but must not extend past the base of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

7.26Adhesive tape up to 1.5 metres in length and 2.5 centimetres in width may be used to secure the bandage between the wrist and the knuckles but must not extend past the base of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

7.27A thin strip of adhesive tape may be placed between the fingers to help keep the bandages in place.

7.28No liquid, powder or any other substance is to be applied to the hands before or after they are bandaged.

7.29All bandaging and taping must be performed in the dressing room and be approved and signed off by a Board member.

Ankle wraps

7.30Ankle wrapping is not mandatory.

7.31If used, ankle wrappings must be totally concealed by ankle supports.

7.32For each ankle, no more than 5 metresof soft surgical bandage no more than 5 centimetres wide is to be used.

7.33No more than one metre of adhesive tape with a maximum width of 3 centimetres is to be used to complete the wrappings for each ankle.

7.34Instep padding can be used but must be approved by a Board member prior to the contest.

7.35All bandaging and taping must be performed in the dressing room and be approved and signed off by a Board member or a person delegated by the Board to perform this function.

Body taping

7.36Knees may be taped if the contestant has a medical certificate from an Australian registered medical practitioner stating that the taping is needed for a medical reason. The certificate must identify the medical condition andstate the reason for which the taping is required.

7.37All knee taping must be covered by a fitted neoprene sleeve.

7.38Elbows may be taped only when the skin is broken.

7.39Earlobes may be taped down using soft, adhesivemedical tape.

7.40All taping must be performed in the dressing room and be approved and signed off by a Board member or a person delegated by the Board to perform this function.

Non-fight periods

7.41Contestants must comply with any non-fight period imposed by the medical practitioner or the Board.

7.42Contestants must obtain a medical clearance from the medical practitioner if required by the medical practitioner before the contestant’s next contest.

7.43The Board may impose a non-fight period on a contestant as a result of particular fight history.

7.44A non-fight period will begin from the day after the date of the promotion involved.

7.45Any appeal of a non-fight period must be made in writing to the Board.

7.46Minimum non-fight periods are set out below:

NON FIGHT PERIODS

Contest outcome / Non- period
Any period of unconsciousness or injury requiring the contest to be stopped because the Contestant was unable to continue. / 30 Days
Knockout or technical knockout / 30 Days
Second consecutive knockout or technical knockout / 60 Days
Third consecutive knockout or technical knockout / 90 Days
In the event of fourth consecutive knockout / Will result in reassessment of Contestant’s registration to compete by the Board

7.47The non-fight periods in the table above will supersede any shorter suspension period imposed by a medical practitioner at a contest.

8.THE TRAINER

General requirements

8.1A trainer must comply with all of the conditions of their trainer’s licence, including the Code of Conduct.

8.2During any contest, each contestant is entitled to four seconds or trainers.

8.3Only one trainer can accompany the contestant to the centre of the safety enclosure during the referee’s instructions.

8.4During the round, the trainers and seconds must be seated.

8.5Before the round begins, one trainermust remove any towels, buckets, stools, etc. from the platform of the safety enclosure and wipe away all excess water and/or ice from the platform.

8.6Only one licensed trainer can enter the safety enclosure and communicate directly to the contestant between rounds.

8.7Trainers must remain out of the safety enclosure between rounds.

8.8A trainer may seek to terminate a bout by throwing a towel into the safety enclosure. The referee or medical practitioner will be the final arbiter of the termination of the bout.

8.9Trainers must ensure that no excessive grease or any other foreign substance is to be used on the face or body of a contestant.