Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-3-.06

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 165-X-3-.06 - Ring And Equipment

(1)Competition Area.

(a) Amateur contests locations. All competitions will take place either a Cage or a Ring that has been approved by the Commission. The Cage or Ring will meet the requirements set forth by the Commission and also be subject to inspection prior to each event by the designated Commission representative.

(b) Obtain Ring or Cage. The promoter will provide a ring or cage for the show and that ring or cage must pass certification requirements established by the Commission.

(2)Ring.

(a) Ring Specifications. The ring specifications for amateur mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements.

(b) The ring requirements. The ring may be no smaller than twenty feet square and no larger than thirty-two feet square within the ropes.

1. One of the corners must have a blue designation, and the corner directly across must have a red designation.

2. The ring floor must extend at least eighteen inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with ensolite or a similar closed-cell foam, with at least one inch layer of foam padding.

3. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps and ridges may not be used.

4. The ring platform must not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the contestants.

5. Ring posts must be made of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of fifty-eight inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be eighteen inches away from the ring ropes.

6. There must be five ring ropes, not less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material. The lowest rope must be no higher than twelve inches from the ring floor. All five ring ropes must be secured to each other in no less than two places on all four sides of the ring. On all four sides of the ring, there should be tables lining the ring, draped from corner to corner.

7. There must not be any obstruction or object, on any part of the ring floor.

(3)Cage Requirements.

(a) Cage specifications. The fighting area canvas shall be no smaller than 18 feet by 18 feet and no larger than 32 feet by 32 feet. The fighting area canvas or synthetic/vinyl mat shall be padded in a manner as approved by the Commission, with at least one inch layer of foam padding.

1. Padding shall extend beyond the fighting area and over the edge of the platform. No vinyl or other plastic rubberized covering shall be permitted.

2. The fighting area canvas or synthetic/vinyl mat shall not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and shall have suitable steps or ramp for use by the participants. Posts shall be made of metal not more than six inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the fighting area canvas and shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission.

3. The fighting area canvas or synthetic/vinyl mat area shall be enclosed by a fence made of such material as will not allow a fighter to fall out or break through it onto the floor or spectators, including, but not limited to, vinyl coated chain link fencing.

4. All metal parts shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and shall not be abrasive to the contestants. The fence shall provide two separate entries onto the fighting area canvas. Both doors shall have a "clasp and pin" or similarly approved dual locking system and steps that facilitate safe entry and exit.

(4)Equipment. All appropriate equipment shall be approved at the discretion of the Commission.

(5)Specifications for Bandages on Mixed Martial Artists' Hands.

(a) Pre-fight hand wraps. All mixed martial arts contestants shall be required to gauze and tape their hands prior to all contests. In all weight classes, the bandages on each contestant's hand shall be restricted to soft gauze cloth not more than 15 yards in length and two inches in width, held in place by not more than 10 feet of surgeon's tape, one inch in width, for each hand. Surgeon's adhesive tape shall be placed directly on each hand for protection near the wrist.

1. Tape may cross the back of the hand twice and extend to cover and protect the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

2. The bandages shall be evenly distributed across the hand. Bandages and tape shall be placed on a contestant's hands in the dressing room in the presence of the chief second of his or her opponent.

3. Under no circumstances are gloves to be placed on the hands of a contestant until the approval of the opponent's chief second or commission representative is received.

4. Substances other than surgeon's tape and soft gauze shall not be utilized. (Example)Pre-wraps shall not be used.

5. Under no condition will any adhesive tape be allowed to extend a position within one inch of the posterior line of knuckles. Provided however that a thin "butterfly" of tape between the fingers will be allowed to stabilize the placement of gauze.

(6)Mouth Pieces.

(a) Mouth piece requirements. All contestants are required to wear a mouth piece during competition. The mouthpiece shall be subject to examination and approval by the attending physician. The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece in place. In the event that the mouth pieces come out of a competitor's mouth during the action of a round, the referee shall wait until a break in the natural fighting action and escort the fighter to his corner to have his mouthpiece replaced. Intentionally spitting out a mouthpiece is grounds for penalization or disqualification.

(7)Protective Equipment.

(a) Shin Guards. Approved shin guard with instep pads, supplied by the promoter, and in good condition, must be worn by all novice division contestants. Advanced division contestants may choose to do so.

(b) Female mixed martial artists may wear a chest protector or other properly fitted sports bra during competition. Chest protectors shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.

(c) All contestants, male and female, shall wear groin protection during competition.

(d) Contestants may choose between a MMA Cup or a traditional boxing style protector. Groin protection shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.

(e) A single elastic or neoprene sleeve may be worn to support either or both ankles and knees. Sleeve supports must not have any metal or plastic hinges and must not have seams that could injure the fighter or his/her opponent. Tape of any kind is prohibited.

(8) Gloves.

(a) Glove condition. The gloves shall be in good condition for all contests or they must be replaced.

(b) Glove weights. All contestants shall wear gloves at least six ounces supplied by the promoter and approved by the Commission. No contestant shall supply his or her own gloves for participation unless approved by the Commission.

(c) Extra Gloves. Each promoter must have an extra set of gloves of the appropriate weight available to be used in case a glove is broken or otherwise damaged during the course of the contest, match, or exhibition.

(d) Glove Certification. It is the promoter's responsibility to ensure that the gloves selected for use during each show meet the Commission's rules and regulations concerning proper certification and should be resolved no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the show.

(e) Gloves may not be broken or twisted, nor may the padding be misplaced or lumpy.

(9) Apparel.

(a) Acceptable attire. Each contestant shall wear mixed martial arts shorts, biking shorts, or kickboxing shorts. Shorts with a grip panel are not permitted. Shorts with metal parts are not permitted unless properly covered.

1. GI's, shirts, and biking pants with a grip panel are prohibited during competition for male Contestants. Female competitors must wear a short sleeved (above the elbow) or sleeveless form fitting rash guard and/or sports bra. No loose-fitting tops are allowed. Female contestants will follow the same requirements for bottom coverings as the male contestants, minus the requirement for groin protection. Male contestants may wear rashguard shirts.

2. Shoes are prohibited during competition.

(10) Corner Equipment.

(a) Corner Kit: Substances Allowed. The use of an unapproved preparation during the match, contest, or exhibition is prohibited. The only substances and materials allowed in the corner are limited to the following:

1. Ice;

2. Water;

3. Cotton swabs;

4. Gauze pads;

5. Clean towels;

6. Vaseline or surgical lubricant approved by the Commission;

7. Enswell;

8. Avitine or Adrenaline;

9. Athletic tape approved by the Commission.

(i) Any variance to the materials must be approved by the Commission

(b) Corner Kit: Substances Prohibited. Substances such as Monsell's solution, other iron or bismuth compounds, collodion, silver nitrate, ammonia or smelling salts will not be used and the use of such modalities will result in disqualification, and disciplinary action against the fighter and/or second.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 165-X-3-.06

New Rule: Filed December 27, 2013; effective January 31, 2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 03, December 30, 2016, eff. 1/14/2017.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 09, June 29, 2018, eff. 8/4/2018.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2022, eff. 10/15/2022.

Authors: J. Matt Bledsoe, Brandon Owens, Casey Sears, Joseph B. McCormick

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-9-1024.