99- 650 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 7-3

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 650-1-7-3 - Duties of Mixed Martial Art Competitors

A. Pre-Fight Medical Examination All mixed martial arts fighters shall submit, when weighing-in and again a short time before the mixed martial arts event commences, to a thorough medical examination by a physician appointed by the Authority. All such examinations shall be conducted privately, with no other person other than the physician and the fighter present.

1. The pre-fight examination shall include the administration of a physical; complete medical history; ophthalmological examination; neurological examination; and, at the discretion of the Authority, a urinalysis, blood test, or other procedure to detect use of prohibited substances.

2. Fighters shall present to the attending physician the results of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV tests administered no earlier than 180 days prior to participation in a fight. Any fighter who fails to produce negative test results for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV shall not participate in a mixed martial arts competition. Hepatitis vaccinations, in addition to testing, are recommended for all fighters but are not mandatory.

3. For female mixed martial arts competitors, the examination shall include a pregnancy test. Any competitor determined to be pregnant shall not be permitted to compete. Any female fighter who fails to submit to a pregnancy test made under Authority supervision will be prohibited from fighting.

4. Competitors more than 35 years old must provide the Authority with satisfactory proof of the results of an electrocardiogram, before weigh-ins for a fight. The electrocardiogram must have been administered no earlier than 365 days prior to the date of the scheduled fight.

5. No competitor shall enter the fighting area, unless a physician appointed by the Authority has certified his or her fitness to engage in a mixed martial arts contest. The physician's decision that a competitor is not fit to engage in a mixed martial arts contest shall not be subject to change by any other official.

B. Abstinence from Use of Prohibited Substances

1. The use by a competitor before or during a fight of any drug, performance enhancing substance, mind-altering substance, narcotic, stimulant, depressant, or analgesic of any description, including without limitation alcohol, marijuana, and substances banned by the United State Ant-Doping Agency, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the competitor and additional disciplinary action.

2. The Authority may require that a competitor submit to:

a. A pre-fight or post-fight urinalysis, blood test, or other procedure to detect the use of any prohibited substance; and

b. At any time after the completion of a mixed martial arts competition, additional testing for the use of prohibited substances.

3. Fighters shall cooperate with Authority testing procedures and must provide any medical or other information sought by the Authority with regard to testing.

4. Collection of specimens for testing shall be supervised by an Authority official. Refusal to submit to testing shall result in the immediate disqualification from competition and additional disciplinary action.

5. The Authority shall be responsible for the costs of testing for use of prohibited substances.

6. A positive result in a test for use of prohibited substances shall constitute prima facie proof of use of the substance(s) by a fighter and cause for immediate certificate suspension, disqualification from competition, and additional disciplinary action including without limitation:

a. For a first offense, a suspension of certification for up to 90 days and a monetary penalty of $500.00; and

b. For a second offense, mandatory certificate revocation and a monetary penalty of $500.00.

C. Post-Fight Medical Examination Immediately following a match, every competitor shall be given a physical examination by a physician appointed by the Authority. The examination may include a test for use of prohibited substances. Any competitor refusing to submit to a post-fight medical examination shall be suspended immediately for at least 30 days and be subject to additional disciplinary action.

99- 650 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 7-3