Md. Code Regs. 09.14.16.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 09.14.16.05 - Fighting Area

A. A mixed martial arts contest shall be held in a ring or in a fenced area.

B. A ring used for a contest of mixed martial arts shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The ring may not be smaller than 20 feet square and may not be larger than 32 feet square within the ropes;

(2) The ring floor shall:

(a) Extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes;

(b) Be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding, which shall extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform;

(c) Have a top covering of canvas, duck, or similar material that:

(i) Does not tend to gather in lumps or ridges; and

(ii) Is tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform; and

(d) Be free of any obstruction or object, including a triangular border;

(3) The ring platform:

(a) May not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building; and

(b) Shall have suitable steps for the use of the mixed martial arts contestants;

(4) The ring posts:

(a) Shall be made of metal;

(b) May not be more than 3 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor;

(c) Shall be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes; and

(d) Shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission; and

(5) The ring ropes:

(a) Shall be five in number;

(b) May not be less than 1 inch in diameter;

(c) Shall be wrapped in soft material; and

(d) Shall be at least 12 inches above the ring floor.

C. A fenced area used for a contest of mixed martial arts shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The fenced area shall be circular or have at least four equal sides;

(2) The fenced area may not be smaller than 20 feet wide and may not be larger than 32 feet wide in diameter;

(3) The floor of the fenced area shall:

(a) Be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding; and

(b) Have a top covering of canvas, duck, or similar material that:

(i) Does not tend to gather in lumps or ridges; and

(ii) Is tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the fenced area;

(4) The platform of the fenced area:

(a) May not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building; and

(b) Shall have suitable steps for the use of the mixed martial arts contestants;

(5) The fence posts of the fenced area shall be:

(a) Made of metal, not more than 6 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to between 5 and 7 feet above the floor of the fenced area; and

(b) Properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission;

(6) The fencing used to enclose the fenced area shall be made of a material that will prevent a mixed martial arts contestant from falling out of, or breaking through, the fenced area onto the floor of the building or onto the spectators;

(7) Any metal portion of the fenced area shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and may not be abrasive to the mixed martial arts contestants;

(8) The fenced area shall have two entrances; and

(9) There may not be any obstruction on any part of the fence surrounding the area where the mixed martial arts contestants are to be competing.

Md. Code Regs. 09.14.16.05