Alabama Administrative Code › Title 165 - ALABAMA ATHLETIC COMMISSION › Chapter 165-X-2 - PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS RULES › Section 165-X-2-.08 - Officials: Conduct Of Contest, Match, Or Exhibition

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Mixed Martial Artists.
(a) False Name. No mixed martial artist shall
			 enter any agreement or contract with a promoter, compete in any match, contest,
			 or exhibition, or otherwise participate in any capacity in a mixed martial arts
			 program under any name which does not appear on his or her Federal ID
			 card.
(b) Prohibition if Under
			 Suspension. No mixed martial artist shall enter any agreement or contract with
			 a promoter, compete, or attempt to compete in any match, contest, or exhibition
			 in this state when the mixed martial artist knows that his or her mixed martial
			 arts license, issued by this Commission is under suspension.
(c) Pregnancy. No mixed martial artist shall
			 enter any agreement or contract with a promoter, compete, or attempt to compete
			 in any match, contest, or exhibition in Alabama when such mixed martial artist
			 knows that she is pregnant.
(d)
			 Diuretics Prohibited. The use of any herbal, prescription or non-prescription
			 diuretic by any mixed martial artist within twelve hours prior to the weigh-in
			 is strictly prohibited.
(e)
			 Weigh-In.
1. In all contests and exhibitions,
			 contestants shall weigh-in in the presence of the chief official appointed to
			 preside over the contest or exhibition. The official weigh-in shall not take
			 place less than six (6) hours nor more than thirty-six (36) hours prior to the
			 contest or exhibition.
(i) All official
			 weigh-ins shall be conducted at a time and place designated by the Commission.
			 Attendance to official weigh-ins is strictly limited to Commissioners,
			 licensees and officials scheduled to participate in the contest or
			 exhibition.
(ii) Ceremonial
			 weigh-ins may be conducted in such manner and at such place as agreed to by all
			 parties involved in the promotion or match, contest, or exhibition.
2. No over-contract-weight
			 contestant appearing at the initial weigh-in will be allowed to lose in excess
			 of two (2) pounds in order to make contract weight unless mixed martial artist
			 is re-examined by the cage side or ringside physician and receive clearance
			 from the cage side or ringside physician prior to entering the cage or
			 ring.
(f) Weight Classes.
			 Weight classes for professional mixed martial artists shall be:
1. Straw Weight (up to 115 lbs.) - 3 lbs.
			 maximum allowable weight spread.
2.
			 Flyweight (115.1 to 125) - 3 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
3. Bantamweight (125.1 to 135 lbs.) -3 lbs.
			 maximum allowable weight spread.
4.
			 Featherweight (135.1 to 145 lbs.) -5 lbs. maximum allowable weight
			 spread.
5. Lightweight (145.1 to
			 155 lbs.) - 5 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
6. Super Lightweight (155.1 to 165 lbs.) - 5
			 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
7. Welterweight (165.1 to 170 lbs.) -5 lbs.
			 maximum allowable weight spread.
8.
			 Super Welterweight (170.1 to 175 lbs.) - 7 lbs. maximum allowable weight
			 spread.
9. Middleweight (175.1 to
			 185 lbs.) -7 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
10. Super Middleweight (185.1 to 195 lbs.) -
			 7 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
11. Light Heavyweight (195.1 to 205 lbs.) -7
			 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
12. Cruiserweight (205.1 to 225 lbs.) - 7
			 lbs. maximum allowable weight spread.
13. Heavyweight (205.1 to 265 lbs.) - 7 lbs.
			 maximum allowable weight spread.
14. Super Heavyweight (265.1 lbs. and above)-
			 in div. or spread of lighter div. maximum allowable weight spread.
(i) No professional mixed martial art contest
			 or exhibition may be scheduled, and no mixed martial artist may engage in a
			 contest or exhibition without the approval of the Commission or the
			 Commission's representative if the difference in weight between the mixed
			 martial artists exceeds the allowances set out above.
(ii) Any agreement to proceed with a mixed
			 martial arts contest or exhibition where the weight spread exceeds the limit
			 established in this rule shall be entered on each participant's bout contract
			 and shall be initialed or signed by such participant.
(g) Weighing of Mixed Martial
			 Artists. Weighing of all mixed martial artists shall be conducted in accordance
			 with the requirements for professional boxers of Appendix B.
(h) Appearance Time. All contestants must be
			 in the officially designated dressing room at least sixty (60) minutes before
			 the event is scheduled to begin.
(i) Drastic Weight Cutting Measures.
1. Weight Class Restrictions. Competitors who
			 have missed their contract or agreed upon weight more than once, shall have
			 their weight class for competition restricted. A competitor who misses weight
			 more than once shall be required to compete in a higher weight class until a
			 physician certifies they may safely compete at a lower weight classification.
(a) Missed weights shall be noted on a
			 competitor's official record on the ABC Mixed Martial Arts Database.
(b) Competitors with weight class
			 restrictions shall be noted on the ABC Mixed Martial Arts Database.
2. Early Weigh-Ins may be used to
			 all competitors the maximum time for rehydration and mental preparation for
			 their competition. When conducted, early weigh-ins shall be the official
			 weigh-in and may be conducted up to thirty-six (36) hours prior to
			 competition.
3. A secondary
			 weigh-in shall occur on the day of the event to ensure competitors have not
			 gained more than ten percent (10%) of their body weight back in the time
			 between the official weigh-in and the event. Competitors who gain more than the
			 ten percent (10%) of their weight back between the official weigh-in and their
			 fight may still be allowed to compete but may be required to move up in weight
			 classes for future matches, bouts, or exhibitions.
4. Checks for Dehydration. Checks for
			 dehydration may be conducted on competitors, by the Ringside Physician, by
			 specific gravity and/or pre-fight physical at both the official weigh-in and
			 the second day weight check.
(j) Cage or Ring Attire. Mixed martial
			 artists shall appear and compete in proper cage or ring attire.
1. All mixed martial artists will be required
			 to wear such protective gear as deemed necessary by the Commission.
(i) Male and female mixed martial artists
			 shall wear the appropriate trunks, groin cup, mouthpiece, and gloves.
(ii) Female mixed martial artists shall wear
			 a short sleeved (above the elbow) or sleeveless form fitting rash guard and/or
			 sports bra. No loose-fitting tops shall be allowed. Female competitors will
			 follow the same requirements for bottom covering as the male competitors, minus
			 the requirement for groin protection.
2. The belt-line of the trunks shall not
			 extend above the waistline and the hem may not extend below the knee.
3. Mixed martial artists in the same match,
			 contest, or exhibition shall wear different color trunks.
4. Each mixed martial artist shall use a
			 mouthpiece and no round may start without a boxer's mouthpiece in place.
(i) If the mouthpiece is dislodged during
			 competition, the referee will call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the
			 first opportune moment without interfering with immediate action.
(ii) Points may be deducted by the referee,
			 if the referee feels the mouthpiece is purposely spit out.
5. Mixed martial artists shall not wear shoes
			 in the cage or ring.
6. When deemed
			 necessary by the referee all mixed martial artists shall have their hair
			 secured in a manner that does not interfere with the vision and safety of
			 either contestant.
(i) Provided however that
			 no object can be worn to secure the contestant's hair which may cause injury to
			 either contestant.
7. The
			 wearing of body jewelry will be strictly prohibited during all
			 contests.
8. The wearing of any
			 facial or body cosmetic is strictly prohibited during all contests.
(k) Profanity. Use of profanity by
			 an all-mixed martial artist, manager or second is prohibited. Any use of
			 profanity after a warning by the referee or chief official may result in
			 disqualification of the contestant, or ejection from the facility and a penalty
			 point may be deducted from the contestant.
(l) Entering Cage or Ring. All contestants
			 must be ready to enter the cage or ring immediately upon the conclusion of the
			 preceding contest or exhibition on a scheduled fight card.
1. Failure to enter the cage or ring when
			 requested and, after warning by the inspector or chief official of the program,
			 may result in disciplinary action by the Commission.
(m) Demeanor During the Round. Each all-mixed
			 martial artist shall take care to avoid fouling their opponent or illegally
			 striking their opponent.
1. Regulations
			 against fouls, as defined in these rules will be strictly enforced.
2. Illegal techniques or fouls in the cage or
			 ring will not be tolerated.
3. All
			 mixed martial artists are at all times to follow the instructions of the
			 referee. Any call for a break should immediately result in a clean
			 break.
(n)
			 Under-Conditioned Fighter. A contestant deemed under-conditioned by the
			 referee, Commission or any designated representative of the Commission, shall
			 be suspended for ninety (90) days.
1. If it
			 should be determined by the referee that a contestant did not give a good faith
			 effort to display their skills they shall be subject to disciplinary
			 action.
(o) Penalty for
			 Disqualification. Any mixed marital artist who is disqualified for any reason
			 by the referee or chief official of the program will be subject to disciplinary
			 action by the Commission.
1. Any mixed marital
			 artist disciplined by the Commission because of a loss by disqualification has
			 a right to a hearing and must request a hearing in writing to the Commission
			 within fifteen days of the disqualification.
(p) Fines. Any mixed marital artist can be
			 fined, have his or her license suspended or have his or her license revoked in
			 the event that a majority of the Commission determines that the mixed marital
			 artist did not utilize his or her best efforts in a match, contest, or
			 exhibition.
(q) Cuts and
			 Lacerations. A cut or laceration caused by either an intentional or an
			 unintentional foul may only be treated during the one (1) minute break between
			 rounds, provided however that the referee may a call a brief time-out and
			 request a physician's evaluation of the cut to determine if the bout shall be
			 allowed to continue. During such time-out, the cut may not be treated by the
			 physician or any other person.
(r)
			 Recuperation Time. Any contestant struck by a low blow may, at the discretion
			 and after consultation with the cage or ring physician, be given up to five (5)
			 minutes to recuperate.
1. During such
			 recuperation the injured mixed martial artist may sit on a stool inside the
			 cage or ring, or in a neutral corner, but may not rest in his assigned
			 corner.
2. Only the referee is
			 allowed to assist the injured mixed martial artist during the five-minute rest
			 period.
3. The uninjured fighter,
			 during any such rest period, may not be assisted and shall remain in the
			 neutral corner furthest from the injured mixed martial artist.
(s) Bout Stopped by Low Blow.
			 Except as provided in sub-paragraph (5) (a) (15) of this rule, no contestant
			 injured by a low blow may be awarded the contest.
1. If a contestant falls to the cage or ring
			 floor or otherwise indicates an unwillingness to continue because of a claim of
			 a low-blow, he shall be declared the loser by a technical knockout.