68 Ind. Admin. Code 24-5-8

Current through December 12, 2024

Section 68 IAC 24-5-8 - Referees

Authority: IC 4-33-22-12

Affected: IC 4-33-22

Sec. 8.

(a) There must be present at an event a minimum of one (1) referee appointed by the executive director or the executive director's designee to fulfill official duties during the event.

(b) The executive director or the executive director's designee may appoint additional referees for an event.

(c) Failure of a referee to comply with IC 4-33-22 and this article may result in immediate removal from the fighting area by a commission representative.

(d) The referee is the chief official who:

(1) has general supervision over the bout; and

(2) must be located in the fighting area.

(e) The referee may stop a bout if an unauthorized person enters the fighting area during the progress of a round.

(f) Before the start of an event, the referee must meet with each professional mixed martial artist and his or her chief corner man in the professional mixed martial artist's dressing room and:

(1) explain to both the professional mixed martial artist and his or her chief corner man:

(A) the violations described in this article, and the repercussions of committing such violations, including disqualification of the professional mixed martial artist; and

(B) his or her expectation regarding the chief corner man's responsibility to:

(i) clean up water spills from the fighting area;

(ii) wipe off excess petroleum jelly from the professional mixed martial artist; and

(iii) ensure that the professional mixed martial artist has his or her mouthpiece in place before the start of each round;

(2) explain what he or she will do when the timekeeper signals the:

(A) ten (10) second warning for the end of a round; and

(B) end of the round; and

(3) review fouls and how he or she will issue warnings or deduct points for fouls committed by the professional mixed martial artists.

(g) Before the start of an event, the referee must:

(1) consult with the event physician to communicate the correct protocol that the event physician should adhere to during a bout; and

(2) check the condition of the fighting area to ensure it is ready and safe for use.

(h) When the professional mixed martial artists are prepared to enter the fighting area, the referee must:

(1) inspect the gloves of the professional mixed martial artists; and

(2) ensure that no foreign substances that could be detrimental to the opponent have been applied to the gloves or bodies of the professional mixed martial artists.

(i) When the professional mixed martial artists have entered the fighting area and been introduced by the announcer, the referee may:

(1) call the professional mixed martial artists to the center of the fighting area;

(2) give final instructions; and

(3) direct the professional mixed martial artists to their corners in preparation for the commencement of the bout.

(j) Before signaling the timekeeper to signal the commencement of a bout, the referee must:

(1) ensure that the fighting area has been cleared of unauthorized individuals and items; and

(2) check with the:

(A) judges;

(B) timekeeper;

(C) event physician; and

(D) chief commission representative;

to determine if each individual is ready for the commencement of the bout.

(k) During a bout, the referee:

(1) must ensure the safety of the professional mixed martial artists;

(2) must enforce the provisions of IC 4-33-22 and this article that apply to the:

(A) execution of performance and conduct of the professional mixed martial artists; and

(B) conduct of the professional mixed martial artist's corner men;

(3) must maintain control of the bout;

(4) must issue warnings and deduct points for committed fouls, as appropriate; and

(5) may call time-out to:

(A) consult with the event physician to determine if an injured professional mixed martial artist is able to continue participation in a bout; or

(B) allow the event physician to examine a professional mixed martial artist if the event physician has signaled a desire to conduct the examination by signaling the referee.

(l) At the conclusion of a bout, the referee must maintain control of:

(1) the fighting area;

(2) both professional mixed martial artists;

(3) both professional mixed martial artist's corner men; and

(4) other individuals who enter the fighting area;

until the winner has been announced and individuals have exited the fighting area.

(m) The referee is not permitted to enter the fighting area unless wearing hygienic gloves.

68 IAC 24-5-8

Indiana Gaming Commission; 68 IAC 24-5-8; filed Aug 28, 2012, 1:57 p.m.: 20120926-IR-068110385FRA

Readopted filed 9/19/2018, 4:09 p.m.: 20181017-IR-068180283RFA

Readopted filed 10/1/2024, 9:32 a.m.: 20241030-IR-068230797RFA