Kan. Admin. Regs. § 128-6-2

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 49, December 5, 2024

Section 128-6-2 - Professional kickboxing

Each professional kickboxing contest shall be conducted in accordance with this regulation.

(a) Each round involving male contestants shall be no more than three minutes in length, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. Each round involving female contestants shall be no more than two minutes in length, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. The maximum number of rounds for males and females shall be 12 rounds. Each contest shall consist of a minimum of four bouts.

(b) A kickboxing contestant shall not participate in a boxing, kickboxing, karate, or mixed martial arts bout in Kansas for at least seven days following a previous bout in Kansas or in any other jurisdiction.

(c) A kickboxing contestant whose license is currently suspended or has been revoked by the commission or any other athletic commission, domestic or foreign, shall not participate in any bout in Kansas until the suspension is lifted or until the license is reinstated.

(d) If a bout is deemed by the commission to be a mismatch that could expose one or both contestants to serious injury based on the record, experience, skill, or condition of each of the contestants, the bout shall be disapproved and cancelled by the commission.

(e) The schedule of weight classifications shall be as follows:

Classification Weight

(1) Mini flyweight up to and through 105 pounds

(2) Junior flyweight over 105 and through 108 pounds

(3) Flyweight over 108 and through 112 pounds

(4) Super flyweight over 112 and through 115 pounds

(5) Bantamweight over 115 and through 118 pounds

(6) Super bantamweight over 118 and through 122 pounds

(7) Featherweight over 122 and through 126 pounds

(8) Super featherweight over 126 and through 130 pounds

(9) Lightweight over 130 and through 135 pounds

(10) Super lightweight over 135 and through 140 pounds

(11) Welterweight over 140 and through 147 pounds

(12) Super welterweight over 147 and through 154 pounds

(13) Middleweight over 154 and through 160 pounds

(14) Super middleweight over 160 and through 168 pounds

(15) Light heavyweight over 168 and through 175 pounds

(16) Cruiserweight over 175 and through 200 pounds

(17) Heavyweight over 200 pounds

(f) Each contestant shall be weighed by the commissioner or designee within 48 hours before the contest. If a contestant's weight does not fall within the range for the weight classification in which the contestant is scheduled to compete in that contest, the contestant shall be reweighed within two hours. If the contestant's weight still does not fall within the range for that weight classification, the contestant shall be disqualified by the commissioner.

(g) Each contestant shall fight only opponents who are in the contestant's weight classification, except that a bout between two contestants in different weight classifications may be approved by the commission if the difference between the weights of the two contestants does not exceed nine pounds.

(h) Any contestant who fails to appear at the appointed place and at the specified time to be examined and weighed or who leaves the designated area without permission of the commission before the weigh-in or the physical examination is completed may be subject to discipline by the commission.

(i) The weight of each contestant or the classification in which each contestant will compete, or both, shall be announced at ringside.

(j) Each contestant's equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Surgeon's adhesive tape, with a width that is not greater than one and one-half inches, shall be placed directly on the hand and wound once around each hand to protect the hand near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice but shall not extend within one inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. The second or contestant shall then wrap each hand with a soft surgical bandage that is not more than two inches wide and that is held in place by not more than two feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand. One 20-yard roll of bandage shall be wound over the surgeon's adhesive tape to complete the wrappings for each hand.

(2) Each bandage shall be applied in the presence of both an inspector and the other contestant. Each hand wrapping placed on a contestant shall be examined and approved by an inspector. The tape around the strings of each approved glove shall be initialed by the inspector. A contestant may waive the privilege of witnessing the bandaging of the opponent's hands.

(3) All gloves worn by contestants shall be made of leather and shall fully cover the hand. The weight of each glove shall be at least eight ounces and not more than 16 ounces.

(4) Each contestant shall be gloved only in the presence of an inspector. The tape around the strings of each approved glove shall be initialed by the inspector.

(5) A contestant or second shall not twist or manipulate that contestant's glove in any way. If a glove breaks or a string becomes untied during a bout, the referee shall instruct the timekeeper to signal a time-out while the glove is being adjusted.

(6) The referee shall inspect the gloves of each contestant for each bout. The referee shall check to determine that no foreign substances detrimental to an opponent have been applied to the gloves of any contestant. If the referee detects a problem with the gloves or any other equipment, the problem shall be fixed to the satisfaction of the referee and the inspector before the bout continues.

(7) Each contestant shall wear kickboxing-appropriate attire and protective devices, including a dental appliance or mouthpiece approved by the commission. Each male contestant shall wear a protective cup. Each female contestant shall wear a protective pelvic girdle and either a plastic breast protector or a sport bra.

(8) Only Vaseline® or a similar petroleum-based product may be lightly applied to the face, arms, or any other exposed part of a contestant's body.

(k) Only officials and members of the media may enter into the contestants' dressing rooms or area.

(l) Each contestant shall be ready to enter the ring immediately after the end of the preceding bout. Any contestant who is not ready to immediately proceed when called and, as a result, causes a delay may be subject to discipline by the commission.

(m) Before each bout, the referee shall call together both of the contestants and their chief seconds for final instructions.

(n) Before starting a bout, the referee shall ascertain from each contestant the name of the contestant's chief second. Before each bout, the referee shall call together both of the contestants and their chief seconds for final instructions.

(o) No person other than the contestants and the referee shall enter the ring during a bout. A second or manager shall not stand or engage in distracting actions while the bout is in progress. For each contestant's seconds and manager, a combined total of two warnings for violating any requirement of this subsection shall result in the removal of the seconds and manager from the ringside area, all of whom shall be subject to discipline by the commission.

(p) With the approval of the commission, the promoter and contestants in a bout may agree to specialized rules for the conduct of that bout, including the minimum or maximum number of punches or kicks allowed for each round.

(q) If a contestant loses a mouthpiece or dental appliance during a round, the referee may call a time-out. If the referee calls a time-out for this reason, the referee shall direct the contestant's second to replace the mouthpiece or dental appliance.

(r) Before the referee requests the physician to aid or examine a contestant, the referee shall direct the timekeeper to stop the clock until otherwise directed by the referee.

(s) If a contestant claims to be injured during the bout, the referee may request that the physician examine the contestant. If the physician decides that the contestant has been injured and should not continue, the physician shall so advise the referee.

(t) Any serious cuts or injuries to either contestant shall be administered to by a physician. The physician shall determine whether to continue the bout as follows:

(1) The physician may enter the ring if requested by the referee to examine an injury to a contestant.

(2) If serious cuts or injuries to either contestant occur, the referee shall summon the physician, who shall aid the contestant and decide if the bout will be stopped. The final authority to determine whether to continue the bout shall rest with the physician.

(3) If the physician determines that a contestant who is cut or injured by legal blows cannot continue, the referee shall announce that contestant loses by a technical knockout.

(4) The referee may request that the attending physician examine a contestant during the bout. The physician may order the referee to stop the bout. The referee shall then render the appropriate decision regarding the outcome of the bout.

(5) Except at the request of the physician, no manager or second shall be permitted to aid a stricken contestant.

(u) If a contestant is knocked down, the referee shall immediately begin a mandatory count of eight. The referee shall audibly announce the passing seconds, accompanying the count with arm motions. A contestant shall be deemed to be knocked down if, as a result of any legal blow or strike, any part of the contestant's body with the exception of the feet is on the floor or if the contestant is hanging on or over the ropes and is not defending oneself. A contestant shall not be considered to have been knocked down until the referee announces that the contestant is down. The referee may continue and complete the mandatory count of eight while the contestant is on the ropes, remains down on the floor, or is rising from a knocked-down position, according to the following:

(1) During any count, the opponent shall immediately go to a neutral corner and shall remain there until the referee signals that the bout is to be continued. If the contestant who has scored the knockdown fails to go to a neutral corner, the referee may stop the count until the contestant who scored the knockdown returns to one of the two corners not assigned to either contestant, which are the neutral corners.

(2) During the mandatory count of eight, the referee shall assess the condition of the contestant and either allow the contestant to continue or stop the bout. If the contestant appears able to continue by the end of the count, the referee shall allow the bout to resume.

(3) If a fallen contestant rises before the mandatory count of eight is reached and then falls again without receiving another hit, the referee shall continue the original count from the point at which the count was stopped, rather than starting a new count.

(4) If the bell rings to end the round during the count, the count shall continue except when the bell rings, ending the last round of the bout. If a round ends before the referee reaches eight, the contestant shall be required to rise before the count of eight to avert a knockout.

(5) Each contestant who has been knocked out shall be kept lying down until the contestant has recovered. If a contestant is knocked out, no one other than the referee and the physician shall touch the contestant. The referee shall remove the injured contestant's mouthpiece and stay with the contestant until the ringside physician enters the ring, personally attends to the contestant, and issues necessary instructions to the contestant's second.

(6) If the contestant is still knocked down when the referee calls the mandatory count of eight, the referee shall wave both arms to indicate that the contestant has been knocked out and shall signal that the opponent is the winner.

(7) A contestant shall be deemed to be knocked down if, as a result of any legal blow or strike, any part of the contestant's body with the exception of the feet is on the floor or if the contestant is hanging on or over the ropes and is not defending oneself. A contestant shall not be considered to have been knocked down until the referee announces that the contestant is down. The referee may continue and complete the mandatory count of eight while the contestant is on the ropes, remains down on the floor, or is rising from a knocked-down position.

(8) If the contestant appears able to continue by the end of the mandatory count of eight, the referee shall allow the bout to resume.

(9) If a fallen contestant rises and then falls again without receiving another hit, the referee shall continue the original count, rather than starting a new count. If the bell rings to end the round during the count, the count shall continue except when the bell rings, ending the last round of the bout. If a round ends before the referee reaches eight, the contestant shall be required to rise before the count of eight to avert a knockout.

(10) Each contestant who has been knocked down shall be kept lying down until the contestant has recovered. If a contestant is knocked out, no one other than the referee and the physician shall touch the contestant. The referee shall remove the injured contestant's mouthpiece and stay with the contestant until the ringside physician enters the ring, personally attends to the contestant, and issues any necessary instructions to the contestant's second. A contestant shall be declared knocked down when, as a result of any legal blow or strike, any portion of the contestant's body other than the feet touches the floor.

(11) If the contestant is still knocked down when the referee calls the mandatory count of eight, the referee shall wave both arms to indicate that the contestant has been knocked out and shall signal that the opponent is the winner.

(v) Before a felled contestant resumes fighting after slipping, falling, or being knocked to the floor, the referee shall wipe the contestant's gloves free of any foreign substance.

(w) If a contestant fails to resume fighting when the bell sounds to start the next round, the referee shall award a technical knockout to the contestant's opponent.

(x) Each of the following tactics or actions shall be an intentional foul:

(1) Using headbutts;

(2) hitting the opponent with a low blow or striking the opponent's groin, the opponent's breast if a woman, or the opponent's spine, throat, collarbone, or that part of the body over the kidneys;

(3) striking the opponent with the heel of the palm;

(4) jabbing the opponent's eye with the thumb of the glove;

(5) hitting the opponent with an open glove or with the wrist;

(6) grabbing or holding the opponent's leg or foot;

(7) holding the opponent with one hand and hitting the opponent with the other;

(8) putting one's leg around the opponent's leg or stepping on the opponent's foot to prevent the opponent from moving or kicking;

(9) falling or going down without being hit;

(10) using abusive language in the ring;

(11) attacking during a break, which is signaled by the referee's command or physical act to separate two contestants;

(12) attacking the opponent after the bell has sounded to end the round;

(13) pushing, shoving, or wrestling an opponent out of the ring;

(14) biting the opponent;

(15) using the ropes to gain an advantage over the opponent; and

(16) engaging in any other action not described in this subsection that is deemed an intentional foul by the referee on the basis that the action poses a danger to the safety of either contestant, impedes fair and competitive play, or is unsportsmanlike.

(y) The referee may warn any contestant who commits an intentional foul or may penalize the contestant by either of the following:

(1) Directing the judges to deduct one or more points from the contestant's score for that round; or

(2) disqualifying the contestant, subject to the following requirements:

(A) If an intentional foul causes an injury severe enough to terminate a bout immediately, the contestant causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.

(B) If an intentional foul causes an injury but the bout is allowed to continue, the referee shall notify the judges of the foul and instruct the judges to deduct two points from the score for that round of the contestant who caused the foul.

(z)

(1) If an intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in termination of the bout in a later round, the bout shall be decided as follows:

(A) The injured contestant shall win by a technical decision if the injured contestant has the higher score when the bout is terminated.

(B) The bout shall result in a technical draw if the score of the injured contestant is lower than or even with the opponent's score when the bout is terminated.

(2) If a contestant is injured while attempting to commit an intentional foul against the opponent, the referee shall not take any action in the contestant's favor, and this injury shall be treated in the same manner as that for an injury produced by a fair blow.

(3) If the referee determines that a contestant is using an unsportsmanlike trick or action, the referee may stop the bout and disqualify the contestant.

(4) If an accidental foul, other than a low blow, is committed before the completion of the fourth round and causes an injury severe enough that the physician determines that the bout should be immediately stopped, the bout shall result in a no-contest decision.

(5) If an accidental foul, other than a low blow, is committed after the completion of the fourth round and causes an injury severe enough that the physician determines that the bout should be immediately stopped, the bout shall result in a technical decision, which shall be awarded to the contestant who has the higher score when the bout is stopped. The judges shall first score any partial or incomplete round. If no blows have landed by that point in the round, the round may be scored as an even round.

(6) If a contestant is hit with an accidental low blow, the round shall continue after a reasonable amount of recovery time that is no longer than five minutes, or the contestant shall lose the fight by a technical knockout.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 128-6-2

Authorized by K.S.A. 2007 Supp. 74-50,187; implementing K.S.A. 2007 Supp. 74-50,186 and 74-50,187; effective April 4, 2008.