Part III: Technical sport rules

1. Number and length of rounds

1. Each Senior bout will be 3 x 3-minute rounds with a 1-minute rest period.
2. Each Youth A bout will be 3 x 2-minute rounds with a 1-minute rest period.
3. Each Youth B bout will be 2 x 2-minute rounds.
4. Each Youth C bout will be 2 x 2-minute rounds.

2. Contestant apparel and equipment

1. Contestants shall wear mixed martial arts shorts/compression shorts with:
   1. no pockets, zips, fasteners or any foreign substance other than that of the material that the shorts are made of shall be permitted to present on the shorts; and
   2. no external lace up waistband on the outside of the shorts are permitted, it must be inside the waist band of the shorts.
2. Contestants shall all wear a rash guard that shall be of tight-fitting stretch material:
   1. all rash guards are to be of short sleeve type - no long sleeve rash guards are permitted unless prior written permission is received for cultural/religious reasons
3. Contestants may wear a form fitted ankle or knee support which must not be abrasive, have no metal or plastic parts, and have no strapping or padding.
4. Contestants shall not wear:
   1. any supportive tape or wraps other than those allowed in Section 7: Hand Wraps;
   2. any support or brace other than those allowed in 2.3;
   3. headgear or any other similar protective equipment;
   4. shoes; or
   5. any martial arts uniform.
5. Contestants who are men shall wear a foul-proof groin protector.
6. Contestants who are women may wear a groin or breast protector.
7. All classes of contestants (pre-novice, novice, open class) shall wear shin guards made of soft neoprene construction and be tightly fitted to the shin and free of buckles, straps or exposed Velcro.

3. Officials required to be present

1. No bout of Amateur Mixed Martial Arts shall begin without:
   1. a referee in the ring or fenced area;
   2. a ringside medical practitioner, seated in close proximity of the steps;
   3. three judges, seated immediately outside of the ring or fenced area on separate sides;
   4. a timekeeper, seated immediately outside of the ring or fenced area, on a side that is not occupied by any of the judges, and in close proximity to a ringside medical practitioner; and
   5. a scorekeeper, seated immediately outside of the fenced area, in close proximity to the timekeeper.

4. Persons permitted in the ring or fenced area

1. No persons other than the contestants, the referee and the ringside medical practitioner may be in the ring or fenced area during the progress of a round.

5. Stopping a bout

1. The second, referee and the ringside practitioner are the only persons authorized to stop a bout prior to its scheduled conclusion.

6. Pre-bout procedures

1. An official shall inspect each contestants appearance, apparel and equipment immediately prior to their entry to the ring or fenced area, making sure the contestant has all required equipment and that no foreign substances have been applied to either the gloves or any part of a contestant’s head or body to the detriment of the opponent, except a light application of petroleum jelly on the eyebrows, under the eyes and on the bridge of the nose.

7. Timekeeper

1. A timekeeper shall be equipped with:
   1. at least two accurate stop watches or similar devices for keeping time;
   2. a horn or similar device;
   3. a wooden clapper or similar device; and
   4. a whistle.
2. On the referee’s signal, the timekeeper shall begin the first round by starting a stopwatch or similar device.
3. Ten seconds prior to the end of each round, the timekeeper shall give warning to the contestants by sounding the wooden clapper or similar device.
4. At the end of the round, the timekeeper shall sound the horn or similar device.
5. The timekeeper shall use a stopwatch or similar device to time a one-minute rest period between rounds.
6. Ten seconds prior to the end of the rest period between rounds, the timekeeper shall give warning to the contestants and seconds by blowing the whistle.
7. At the end of the rest period between rounds, the timekeeper shall begin the next round by starting a stopwatch or similar device, but only when signaled to do so by the referee.
8. If at any time during the progress of a bout the referee signals a timeout, the timekeeper shall pause the stopwatch or similar device and shall only re-start it when the referee signals to do so.
9. If the referee has signaled a timeout due to an injury, the timekeeper shall start a second stopwatch or similar timekeeping device, and signal to the referee when five minutes have elapsed if the bout has not otherwise resumed.
10. If a bout is stopped before the scheduled number of rounds ends, the timekeeper shall inform the scorekeeper of the exact duration of the bout.

8. Fouls

1. The following are fouls for all categories of contestants (Senior and Youth A, B, C):
   1. butting with the head
   2. eye gouging of any kind
   3. biting or spitting at an opponent
   4. fish hooking
   5. hair pulling
   6. spiking an opponent to the canvas on their head or neck (pile-driving)
   7. strikes to the spine, back of the head or tailbone
   8. throat strikes of any kind and/or grabbing the trachea
   9. fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s face/eyes
   10. groin attacks of any kind
   11. kneeing the head of an opponent
   12. kneeing and/or kicking the head of a grounded opponent
   13. stomping of a grounded opponent
   14. elbow and forearm strikes of any kind to any area
   15. holding an opponent’s gloves, shorts, shin-guards or rash guards
   16. holding or grabbing the fence or ropes
   17. small joint manipulation
   18. linear thrusting kicks to the front of the leg and knee
   19. neck cranks – any pulling or twisting the head beyond its normal ranges of rotation (twister, can opener and any other similar technique)
   20. spine locks and cranks
   21. all twisting leg submissions such as heel hooks and toe holds (straight kneebars and straight ankle locks are allowed)
   22. throwing an opponent out of the competition area
   23. intentionally placing a finger into any orifice or laceration
   24. clawing, pinching, or twisting the flesh
   25. timidity (avoiding contact, or consistent dropping of mouthpiece, or faking an injury)
   26. use of abusive language in the ring or fenced area
   27. flagrant disregard of the referees instructions
   28. unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to opponent
   29. attacking an opponent after the horn or similar device has sounded the end of the round
   30. attacking an opponent on or during the break
   31. attacking an opponent who is under the referee’s care
   32. interference from a contestant’s seconds
   33. applying any foreign substance to the head or body in order to gain an advantage
2. The following are additional fouls for Pre-Novice Class contestants:
   1. no striking the head of a grounded opponent
   2. no suplex, elevated/shoulder throws or slams
   3. no up-kick from a grounded position
   4. no foot stomps
3. The following is an additional foul for Novice Class contestants:
   1. no striking the head of a grounded opponent
4. Striking to the head or face is not permitted for any and all levels of Youth A, B, and C.
5. The following are additional fouls for Youth C Class contestants:
   1. no striking of any kind with the knees
   2. no grounded striking of any kind
   3. no bicep or calf crush
   4. no wristlocks
   5. no leg submissions of any kind
   6. no omoplata submission
   7. no suplex, elevated/shoulder throws or slams
   8. no guillotine chokes of any kind
   9. no up-kicks from a grounded position
   10. no foot stomps
   11. any hip throw must have head and arm control

Note: The premise on which the youngest group of amateurs shall compete shall be based heavily upon applying and adapting the techniques of mixed martial arts in an enhanced safety environment. The technical restrictions detailed above shall both allow and facilitate young competitors to garner the necessary time and experience in a competitive format without the risk of unnecessary injury. As a result, referees shall be instructed to allow the techniques to be freely and openly used and applied but not necessarily finished. In other words, a young competitor who has been caught in a legal submission hold shall not be permitted the same leniency and time that an advanced senior would have to utilize an escape. We must recognize that at such an early age the emphasis will be exaggerated from a safety-first perspective in not allowing or risking unnecessary injury to our young athletes. As a result, “Technical Submissions” shall be a more frequent occurrence to both decide and end a match.

6. The following are additional fouls for Youth B Class contestants:
   1. no striking of any kind with the knees
   2. no grounded striking of any kind
   3. no bicep or calf crush
   4. no wristlocks
   5. no knee-bar (legal leg attacks are straight achilles lock and figure four ankle lock with straight leg only)
   6. no omoplata submission
   7. no suplex, elevated/shoulder throws or slams
   8. no standing guillotine chokes
   9. no up-kick from a grounded position
   10. no foot stomps

Note: Figure four ankle locks are to be applied to a straight leg only, no bending of the knee whilst applying the submission allowed. Guillotine chokes must be of “arm-in” type and finished from a grounded position.

7. The following are additional fouls for Youth A Class contestants:
   1. no striking of any kind with the knees
   2. no kicking to the body of a downed opponent – only closed fist striking to the body is permitted
   3. no bicep or calf crush
   4. no wristlocks
   5. no suplex, elevated/shoulder throws or slams
   6. no standing guillotine chokes
   7. no up-kick from a grounded position
   8. no foot stomps

Note: Figure four ankle locks are to be applied to a straight leg only, no bending of the knee whilst applying the submission allowed. Guillotine chokes must be of “arm-in” type and finished from a grounded position.

9. Warnings, deductions and disqualifications

1. During a bout, only the referee can assess a foul, and in their discretion determine if the foul is accidental or intentional.
2. If a contestant commits a foul, the referee may in their discretion, giving consideration to the severity of the foul and the number and severity of fouls committed by the contestant over the duration of the bout:
   1. issue a warning to the contestant who committed the foul;
   2. deduct one or more points from the contestant who committed the foul; or
   3. disqualify the contestant who committed the foul.

Accidental fouls

3. If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout, the bout will result in no contest if stopped when less than the majority of rounds have been completed.
4. If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout after the majority of rounds have been completed, the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round; and:
   1. the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges score cards at the time the bout is stopped; or
   2. a technical draw if the judges score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
5. A contestant who is struck with an accidental foul to the groin shall continue in the bout after a reasonable amount of time but not more than five minutes, or they will lose the bout by technical knockout.

Intentional Fouls

6. If an intentional foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout immediately, the contestant causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.
7. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee shall instruct the judges and scorekeeper to deduct two points from the contestant who committed the foul.
8. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner when less than the majority of rounds have been completed, the bout will result in a no contest.
9. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner after the majority of rounds have been completed:
   1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round; and
      1. the injured contestant shall win by technical decision, if they are ahead on the judges score cards; or
      2. the outcome of the bout shall be declared a technical draw if the injured contestant is even or behind on the judges score cards at the time of stoppage.

Foul procedures

10. To deduct a point, a referee shall:
    1. as soon as is practical after the foul, signal timeout to the timekeeper;
    2. order the fouled contestant to a neutral area;
    3. check the fouled contestant’s condition and safety;
    4. stand in front of the offending contestant, and advise them of the foul;
    5. notify each judge and the scorekeeper of the number of points deducted and type of foul; and
    6. signal time to the timekeeper to continue the bout.
11. If a contestant with an inferior position commits a foul, unless the contestant with a superior position is injured, the bout shall continue. To not jeopardize the contestant with superior positioning at the time, the referee may:
    1. verbally notify the contestant with inferior position of the foul;
    2. assess the foul and notify both corners’ seconds, the judges and the official scorekeeper when the round is over; or
    3. terminate a bout based on the severity of a foul and disqualify the contestant who committed the foul.
12. If a contestant with an inferior position commits a foul that injures the contestant with a superior position, the referee may follow the foul procedures in 9.10, and prior to signaling to the timekeeper, reposition the contestants in a similar manner that maintains their position relative to one another.

Consultation of ringside medical practitioners

13. Contestants injured severely enough by a foul to require consultation with the ringside medical practitioner may, at the discretion of the referee, be given a reasonable recovery time not to exceed five minutes.

Consultation of Judges

14. If an injury occurs due to a suspected foul that the referee was unable to see, the referee may, in their discretion, consult the judges to determine if the injury occurred as a result of a foul.

10. Injuries

Injuries sustained as a result of a legal maneuver

1. If an injury sustained as a result of a legal maneuver is severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout, the injured contestant shall lose by technical knockout.

Accidental injuries

2. If the referee determines that an injury has been caused due to someone or something other than an action of the contestant or their opponent, the referee shall declare an accidental injury and allow the injured contestant a reasonable recovery time, not to exceed five minutes.
3. If the accidental injury is severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout, the bout will result in no contest if stopped before less than the majority of rounds have been completed.
4. If a contestant continues in the bout following an accidental injury and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or medical practitioner after the majority of rounds have been completed, then:
   1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round; and
      1. the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges score cards at the time the bout is stopped; or
      2. a technical draw if the judges score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped.

Self injuries

5. If the referee determines that an injured contestant was responsible for their own injury, the referee shall not penalize their opponent in any manner and shall treat the injury the same as an injury produced by a legal maneuver. If the referee or medical practitioner determines that the contestant is unable to continue due to the self injury, they will lose by technical knockout.

11. Unforeseen circumstances

1. In instances where a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances, the bout will result in a no contest if stopped before less than the majority of rounds have been completed.
2. In instances where a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances after the majority of rounds have been completed, the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round; and
   1. the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges score cards at the time the bout is stopped; or
   2. a technical draw if the judges score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped.

12. Strikes at the end of a round

1. A strike that contacts a contestant concurrent with the sounding of the horn or similar device to signal the end of a round shall be deemed to be a legal blow.

13. Grounded contestant

1. A contestant is considered to be grounded if any part of the body, other than soles of their feet are touching the ground or they are hanging over the ropes without the ability to protect themselves.

14. Dislodged mouthpieces

1. If a contestant’s mouthpiece is involuntarily dislodged during the progress of a round, the referee shall call timeout, clean the mouthpiece, and reinsert the mouthpiece at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action.
2. If the referee determines that a contestant has deliberately spit out their mouthpiece, the referee may issue a warning to such contestant or deduct one or more points from such contestant and, upon any subsequent infraction, may disqualify the contestant.

15. Contestants knocked through the ropes

1. To continue in the bout, a contestant who is knocked outside of the ropes shall be required to return unassisted to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 10.
2. If during the count to 10 the contestant falls off the ring platform, the contestant shall be required to return unassisted to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 30.
3. If in the opinion of the referee the contestant receives any assistance which causes an unfair advantage, they may be deducted points or disqualified.

16. Contestants knocked through the ropes and off the ring platform

1. To continue in the bout, a contestant who is knocked outside of the ropes and off the ring platform shall be required to return to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 30.
2. If in the opinion of the referee the contestant receives any assistance which causes an unfair advantage, they may be deducted points or disqualified.

17. Judging and scoring criteria

1. All bouts shall be scored by three judges.
2. In scoring a round, judges shall take into consideration:
   1. effective striking and grappling, where:
      1. striking takes into consideration legal blows that have immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute towards the end of the bout, with the immediate impact weighing more heavily than the cumulative impact;
      2. grappling takes into consideration successful execution of takedowns, submission attempts, reversals and the achievement of advantageous positions that produce immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute to the end of the bout, with the immediate impact weighing more heavily than the cumulative impact;
      3. a contestant’s effective striking or grappling dominates their opponent, causing the opponent to continually defend or react to their actions; and
      4. a contestant demonstrates an advantage in duration of the round spent effectively striking or grappling, which causes their opponent to defend or react to their actions
   2. effective aggressiveness, which takes into consideration a contestant’s attempts to stop the bout through effective striking or grappling;
   3. effective control, which takes into consideration the contestant who is dictating the pace, place and position of the bout.
3. Judges shall only take into consideration effective aggressiveness when neither contestant has demonstrated any advantage in effective striking and grappling.
4. Judges shall only take into consideration effective control when neither contestant has demonstrated any advantage in effective striking and grappling or effective aggressiveness.
5. At the end of each round, each judge shall determine the winning contestant of that round by awarding them a gross score of ten points and by awarding a gross score of nine or less points to the opponent, depending on the judgment as to the degree to which the opponent lost the round. No fraction of points may be given. If in the opinion of the judge the round is even, each contestant shall receive ten points.
6. Judges shall use the following scoring guideline for the purpose of informing their scores.

7. Following the conclusion of the round, each judge shall mark their scorecard with:
   1. the gross score of each contestant;
   2. points deducted by the referee, if any; and
   3. the net score for each contestant.
8. The judges shall only score point deductions at the exclusive direction of the referee.

18. Bout results

1. A bout of Amateur Mixed Martial Arts shall have one of the following results.

Submissions

2. Submission by tap out, when a contestant physically uses their body to indicate that they no longer wish to continue in the bout.
3. Submission by verbal tap out, when a contestant verbally announces or otherwise indicates to the referee that they do not wish to continue in the bout.
4. Technical submission, when a legal submission results in a contestant losing consciousness or sustaining an injury that prevents them from continuing in the bout.

Knockouts and technical knockouts

5. Knockout, if in the opinion of the referee the contestant cannot defend themself or requires immediate medical attention due to strikes.
6. Technical knockout, if:
   1. the referee stops the bout because the contestant is not effectively defending themself;
   2. the ringside medical practitioner stops the bout for any reason;
   3. a second requests to retire their contestant;
   4. a contestant retires from the bout between rounds;
   5. a contestant is unable to continue due to an injury sustained as a result of legal strikes;
   6. a contestant is unable to continue due to a self injury; or
   7. a contestant is unable to continue after five minutes, following an accidental strike to the groin or eye poke.

Decisions

7. Unanimous decision, when all three judges score the bout for the same contestant;
8. Split decision, when two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent; or
9. Majority decision, when two judges score the bout for the same contestant and one judge scores a draw.

Draws

10. Unanimous draw, when all three judges score the bout a draw;
11. Majority draw, when two judges score the bout a draw; or
12. Split draw, when one judge scores the bout for one contestant, one judge scores the bout for the opponent, and one judge scores the bout a draw.

Technical decisions

13. Technical decision, when an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner after the majority of rounds have been completed, and either contestant is ahead on the judges score cards at the time the bout is stopped.

Technical draws

14. Technical draw, when:
    1. an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner after the majority of rounds have been completed, and the judges score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
    2. an accidental injury, not caused by a foul, results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner after the majority of rounds have been completed, and the judges score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
    3. an intentional foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical after the majority of rounds have been completed, if the injured contestant is behind or even on the judges score cards at the time the bout is stopped
    4. in the opinion of the referee, both contestants require immediate medical attention due to simultaneous strikes

No contests

15. No contest when:
    1. an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before less than the majority of rounds have been completed
    2. an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before less than the majority of rounds have been completed
    3. a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances not related to the conduct of the bout, if stopped before less than the majority of rounds have been completed

Disqualifications

16. Disqualification when, the referee disqualifies a contestant for any reason.