Rule 85-4-.07 - Contestants' Equipment(1) Contestants shall provide all necessary personal equipment (subject to approval by the Commission) for use by themselves and their seconds in all Commission sanctioned bouts. This necessary personal equipment shall include appropriate shorts or trousers, tape and bandages to be wrapped around the hands to prevent sprains and knuckle separations, padded protective equipment to be worn on the feet (Full Contact division), a groin protector for men and a breast protector for women (recommended), two Commission-approved mouth pieces, and water bottles.(2) Contestants shall wear contrasting colored uniforms.(3) Bandaging of each competitor's hands shall not exceed one roll of surgeon's adhesive tape, not over 1-1/2 inches wide, placed directly on the hand to protect the part of the hand near the wrist. The tape may cover the hand but not extend within 3/4 inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. Soft surgical bandage, not over two inches wide, held in place by not more than six feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand shall be used. Up to one 10-yard roll of bandage may be used to complete the wrappings for each hand. Strips of tape may be used between the fingers to hold down the bandages, not to cover the knuckles. Bandages shall be adjusted in the locker room in the presence of a Commission official. Cloth hand-bandages, maximum length of 3.5 yards, may be used if approved by the Commission representative.(4) The weight and type of padded protective equipment to be worn on the contestant's hands and feet shall be determined by the Commission in advance of the event. Matched contestants must wear padded protective equipment on the hands of an identical size, shape, and style and manufacture as provided by the promoter.(5) Male contestants must wear a foul-proof groin protector. Abdominal guards are also acceptable. Female contestants must wear a sports or athletic bra. In addition, foul-proof breast protectors or plastic breast covers can be worn. The Commission recommends that female contestants also wear pelvic protection.(6) All contestants must wear a Commission approved individually fitted mouthpiece.(7) Contestants with long hair may wear Commission approved hair stays.(8) All contestants weighing under 147 lbs must use eight-ounce (8 oz) regulation gloves for men and ten-ounce (10 oz) regulation gloves for women. All fighters weighing more than 147 lbs must use ten-ounce (10 oz) regulation gloves for men and women.(a) Professional contestants may have the option to compete in 4 oz MMA gloves, pending both contestants agree to this, and the Commission is informed ahead of the event.(b) Amateur contestants may have the option to compete in 7 oz MMA gloves, pending both contestants agree to this, and the Commission is informed ahead of the event.(9) The use of braces, supports, or additional padding or bandages other than the type prescribed by the rules are subject to approval only after inspection by the referee and Commission representative.(10) All contestants must follow the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission Dress Code for the Rules under which their bout is fought: (a) Thai Boxing - Shorts, Gloves.(b) International Kickboxing - Shorts, Compulsory Foot-Guards, Gloves.(c) Full Contact Kickboxing - Long Trousers or Shorts, Compulsory Foot-Guards, Shin-Guards (optional), Gloves.(11) The promoter and/or fighter will provide all amateur Muay Thai fighters with headgear, approved by the Commission, designed to less the impact of strikes directed to the head and reduce the likelihood of cuts. Three (3) or more verifiable amateur Muay Thai fights are required to compete without having to wear headgear. If three (3) amateur Muay Thai fights cannot be verified then both contestants must wear the headgear. (a) Both the contestants must have three (3) or more verifiable amateur Muay Thai fights for the headgear not to be worn. If one (1) fighter does not have the required documented fights, then both contestants must wear headgear.(12) Advanced Amateur fights do not require shin pads.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 85-4-.07
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-19, 43-1-25, 43-4B-50.
Original Rule entitled "Contestants' Equipment" adopted. F. May 24, 2011; eff. June 13, 2011.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Nov. 21, 2013; eff. Dec. 11, 2013.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 21, 2015; eff. June 10, 2015.Amended: F. May 20, 2024; eff. June 9, 2024.