Section 38-8-003 - OFFICIATING A BARE-KNUCKLE BOXING BOUT003.01 No person other than the contestants and the referee can enter the ring during the bout. Between rounds, one second may be inside the ring and the other second must remain on the ring apron. The attending physician may enter the ring to examine an injury to a contestant if asked to do so by the referee. A contestant cannot leave the ring during any one-minute rest period between rounds.003.02 Each round will be two (2) minutes in length with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds.003.03 No bout shall be scheduled for more than five (5) rounds, except by approval of the Commissioner. In no event shall bouts exceed 12 rounds in length.003.04 Punches are the only strike allowed and must be closed fist.003.05 In the clinch a contestant may punch his or her way out with the free hand. If there is a lull in action while clinching, the referee will force a break.003.06 The 10-point must system will be the standard system of scoring a bout.003.07 The mandatory eight (8) count after knockdowns will be standard procedure in all bouts.003.08 There is no standing eight (8) count.003.09 There is no three (3) knockdown rule.003.10 A contestant shall receive a 20 second count if the contestant is knocked out of the ring. The contestant is to be unassisted by spectators or his/her seconds. If assisted by anyone, the contestant may lose points or be disqualified with such a decision being within the sole discretion of the referee.003.11 A contestant who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round.003.12 If a contestant sustains an injury from a fair blow and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout, the injured contestant shall lose by TKO.003.13 If a contestant is cut and the blood is impairing a contestant's vision, the referee may call a timeout to give the appropriate licensee 30 seconds to stop the bleeding. If the blood cannot be controlled and the blood inhibits the contestant's vision, the referee will stop the fight and award victory to the other contestant.003.14 The following tactics shall be considered fouls:003.14(A) Hitting the opponent below the belt;003.14(B) Hitting an opponent who is down or is getting up after being down;003.14(C) Deliberately maintaining a clinch without other action;003.14(D) Wrestling or kicking the opponent;003.14(E) Putting a finger into any orifice of the opponent or into any cut or laceration on an opponent, including fishhooking;003.14(F) Pulling the opponent's hair;003.14(G) Manipulating the opponent's fingers;003.14(H) Striking an opponent who is helpless as the result of blows but is supported by the ropes and does not fall;003.14(I) Butting the opponent with the head, shoulder, knee, or elbow;003.14(J) Hitting the opponent with the elbow or forearm;003.14(K) Striking the opponent's body over the kidneys;003.14(L) Hitting the opponent on the back of the head or neck;003.14(M) Gouging the opponent's eye in any manner;003.14(N) Using abusive language in the ring;003.14(O) Hitting during a break, which is signaled by the referee's command or physical act to separate two contestants;003.14(P) Hitting the opponent after the bell has sounded, ending the round;003.14(Q) Using the ropes to gain an advantage over the opponent;003.14(R) Pushing the opponent around the ring or into the ropes;003.14(S) Timidity, including intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece;003.14(T) Biting the opponent;003.14(U) Placing the opponent in a headlock;003.14(V) Throat punches or strikes directly towards the throat of an opponent;003.14(W) Having fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face or eyes;003.14(X) Engaging in a throw or take down; and003.14(Y) 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 action, or is unsportsmanlike. 38 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 8, § 003
Adopted effective 3/21/2022