Or. Admin. Code § 230-140-0040

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 11, November 1, 2024

Section 230-140-0040 - Conduct of Bouts

(1)Venue. The proposed venue for a Mixed Martial Arts event shall be approved by the Executive Director. The venue must comply with applicable fire and safety regulations and dressing rooms and other facilities must meet standards of OAR chapter 230.

(2)Rules Meeting. The Executive Director or the Executive Director's designee shall preside at a rules meeting before any mixed martial arts event.

(3)Promoter's Safety Responsibility. It shall be the promoter's responsibility to ensure safety for the contestants, officials and spectators. This includes the responsibility to provide adequate licensed, qualified and trained security personnel to maintain order. This also includes the responsibility to provide an onsite ambulance, or an adequate alternative approved by the Executive Director if an ambulance is unavailable.

(4)Mixed Contests. Mixed martial arts contests and exhibitions must be between contestants of the same sex.

(5)Contracts with Professional Contestants. The Promoter shall provide copies of the bout agreements to the Executive Director or the Executive Director's designee at least 24 hours before the event. The contracts with the contestants shall contain at least the following components:

(a) Total Purse Amount;

(b) The scheduled date, location, and time of the contest or exhibition;

(c) A 20% penalty for failure to make the agreed upon weight limit at the official weigh in conducted by the Commission; and

(d) Any deductions from the contestant's purse must be stipulated in the contract, or will not be allowed. (e.g.: travel expenses, licensing fees, medical testing expenses, etc.)

(6)Payment of Contestants. All professional contestants shall be paid in full according to their contracts, if applicable, and no part or percentage of their remuneration may be withheld except by order of the Executive Director or the Superintendent, nor shall any part thereof be returned through arrangement with the contestant's manager to any matchmaker, assistant matchmaker, or club official. The contestant or manager may not assign their respective share of the purse, if applicable, or any portion thereof, without the written approval of the Executive Director or the Superintendent. A written request for such assignment must be filed with the Executive Director at least 72 hours before the contest or exhibition.

(7)Time and Manner of Payment. All purse money must be furnished by check to the Executive Director at least 24 hours before the commencement of an event.

(a) Immediately following an event, the Executive Director shall deliver such checks to the payees thereof and reflect such delivery on the payoff sheet. In the case of a percentage contract, payment of purses shall be made immediately after the percentage is determined by the Executive Director.

(b) If the referee fails to render a decision at the termination of any bout, the Executive Director shall retain the payment check, if applicable, for each contestant pending a final determination by the Superintendent.

(8)Requirements for ring or fenced area. Mixed martial arts contests and exhibitions may be held in a ring or in a fenced area that has been approved by the Executive Director.

(a) A ring used for a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements:

(A) The ring must be no smaller than 16 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the ropes.

(B) The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges must not be used.

(C) The ring platform must not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the participants and officials.

(D) Ring posts must be made of metal, extending from the floor of the building and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes.

(E) There must not be any obstruction or object, including, regardless of size, a triangular border on any part of the ring floor.

(b) A fenced area used in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements:

(A) The fenced area must be of a shape and dimensions approved by the Commission Executive Director and must be no smaller than 18 feet wide at its widest point where it touches the mat.

(B) The floor of the fenced area must be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the fenced area. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges must not be used.

(C) The platform of the fenced area must not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the participants and officials.

(D) Fence posts must be made of metal, above the floor of the fenced area, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission.

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

(F) Any metal portion of the fenced area must be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and must not be abrasive to the participants.

(G) The fenced area must have two entrances unless otherwise approved by the Executive Director.

(H) There must not be any obstruction on any part of the fence surrounding the area in which the participants are to be competing.

(I) There must be a secure barrier of at least four feet between a fenced area and the first row of public seating that allows freedom of movement of Commission officials and representatives.

(J) The area immediately surrounding a ring or a fenced area is subject to the control of the Commission. Access must be effectively controlled by event security staff. The seating around the apron of the ring or fenced area cannot be sold. An area for credentialed media personnel may be allowed with approval by the Executive Director.

(K) Cameras are allowed on the apron during a round with Executive Director approval as long as their presence does not compromise the safety of the contestants or the ability of the Commission staff to perform their functions.

(L) There must be adequate space provided in each contestant's 'corner' for licensed Seconds to sit during a round.

(9)Selection and approval of ring officials. The ring officials of contests or exhibitions are the referee, judges, timekeeper, physician and medical personnel, inspectors, and Commission's representative. The Commission Executive Director shall select and appoint all officials.

(10)Bandages for hands of mixed martial arts contestants. Bandages for the hands of contestants in mixed marshal arts contests or exhibitions must comply with this subsection.

(a) Bandages on the hand of a mixed martial arts contestant may not exceed one winding of surgeon's adhesive tape, not over 1 1/2 inches wide, placed directly on the hand to protect the part of the hand near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice, but may not extend within three-fourths of an inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

(b) Each mixed martial arts contestant shall use soft surgical bandage or gauze not over 2 inches wide, held in place by not more than 6 feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand. Up to one 15-yard roll of bandage may be used to complete the wrappings for each hand. Strips of tape may be used between the fingers to hold down the bandages.

(c) Bandages must be adjusted in the dressing room in the presence of a representative of the Commission and both mixed martial arts contestants. Either contestant may waive his or her right to witness the bandaging of his or her opponent's hands.

(11)Gloves: Requirements; replacement during contest or exhibition. The gloves used in a contest or exhibition must meet the following requirements:

(a) The gloves must be examined by the representative of the Commission and the referee. If padding in any glove is found to be misplaced or lumpy or if any glove is found to be unfit, the glove must be changed before the contest or exhibition starts. No breaking, roughing or twisting of gloves is permitted.

(b) The gloves for every contest or exhibition that is designated as a main event must be new, furnished by the promoter and made to fit the hands of the contestant.

(c) If gloves to be used in preliminary contests or exhibitions have been used before, they must be whole, clean and in sanitary condition. The gloves are subject to inspection by the referee or representative of the Commission. If a glove is found to be unfit, it must be replaced with a glove that meets the requirements of this section. Gloves may not be used for more than one contest during an event.

(d) Each promoter must have an extra set of gloves of the appropriate weight available to be used in case a glove is broken or otherwise damaged during the course of a contest or exhibition.

(e) For contests or exhibitions of mixed martial arts, each contestant must wear gloves that weigh not less than 4 ounces.

(f) Both contestants shall use the same brand and model of gloves for their contest or exhibition, unless approved by the Executive Director, or designee.

(12)Duration. Except with the approval of the Commission Executive Director:

(a) A non-championship contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must not exceed three rounds in duration.

(b) A championship contest of mixed martial arts must be five rounds in duration.

(c) A round in a contest or exhibition of professional mixed martial arts must be five minutes in duration. A period of rest following a round of mixed martial arts must be one minute in duration.

(d) A round in an amateur mixed martial arts contest must be three minutes in duration.

(13)Method of judging.

(a) Each judge of a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts that is being judged shall score the contest or exhibition and determine the winner through the use of the following system:

(A) The better contestant of a round receives 10 points and his/her opponent proportionately less.

(B) If the round is even, each contestant receives 10 points.

(C) No fraction of points may be given.

(D) Points for each round must be awarded immediately after the end of the round. A record of those points is given to a Commission representative before the next round begins.

(b) After the end of the contest or exhibition, the announcer shall pick up the scores of the judges from the Commission's desk.

(c) The majority opinion is conclusive and, if there is no majority, the decision is a draw.

(d) When the Commission's representative has checked the scores, the Commission's representative shall inform the announcer of the decision. The announcer shall inform the audience of the decision over the speaker system.

(14)Acts constituting fouls. The following acts constitute fouls in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts:

(a) Butting with the head.

(b) Eye gouging of any kind.

(c) Biting.

(d) Hair pulling.

(e) Fishhooking.

(f) Groin attacks of any kind.

(g) Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.

(h) Small joint manipulation.

(i) Striking to the spine or the back of the head.

(j) Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (Commonly referred to as a "12 to 6" motion.)

(k) Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.

(l) Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.

(m) Grabbing the clavicle.

(n) Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.

(o) Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.

(p) Stomping a grounded opponent.

(q) Kicking to the kidney with the heel.

(r) Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his/her head or neck.

(s) Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.

(t) Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.

(u) Spitting at an opponent.

(v) Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.

(w) Holding the ropes or the fence.

(x) Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.

(y) Attacking an opponent on or during the break.

(z) Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.

(aa) Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round.

(bb) Failing to comply with the instructions of the referee.

(cc) Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.

(dd) Interference by the corner.

(ee) Throwing in the towel during competition.

(ff) Elbow strikes to any part of the body (unless approved by the Executive Director prior to the match).

(gg) Twisting Leg Locks (Amateurs Only).

(15)Fouls: Deduction of points. If a mixed martial arts contestant fouls his/her opponent during a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts, the referee may penalize the contestant by deducting points from the contestant's score, whether or not the foul was intentional.

(a) The referee may determine the number of points to be deducted in each instance and shall base the determination on the severity of the foul and its effect upon the opponent.

(b) When the referee determines that it is necessary to deduct a point or points because of a foul, the referee shall warn the offender of the penalty to be assessed.

(c) The referee shall, as soon as is practical after the foul, notify the judges and both contestants of the number of points, if any, to be deducted from the score of the offender.

(d) Any point or points to be deducted for any foul must be deducted in the round in which the foul occurred and may not be deducted from the score of any subsequent round.

(16)Fouls: Intentional. If a foul is determined by the referee to be intentional and causes the opponent to be unable to continue, the offending contestant is disqualified.

(17)Fouls: Accidental.

(a) If a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts is stopped because of an accidental foul, the referee shall determine whether the contestant who has been fouled can continue or not. If the contestant's chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul the referee may order the contest or exhibition continued after a recuperative interval of not more than five minutes. The length of the recuperative time is determined by the referee. Immediately after separating the contestants, the referee shall inform the Commission's representative of his/her determination that the foul was accidental.

(b) If the referee determines that a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts may not continue because of an injury suffered as the result of an accidental foul, the contest or exhibition must be declared a no contest if the foul occurs during:

(A) The first two rounds of a contest or exhibition that is scheduled for three rounds or less; or

(B) The first three rounds of a contest or exhibition that is scheduled for more than three rounds.

(c) If an accidental foul renders a contestant unable to continue the contest or exhibition after:

(A) The completed second round of a contest or exhibition that is scheduled for three rounds or less; or

(B) The completed third round of a contest or exhibition that is scheduled for more than three rounds, the outcome must be determined by scoring the completed rounds and the round during which the referee stops the contest or exhibition.

(d) If an injury inflicted by an accidental foul later becomes aggravated by fair blows and the referee orders the contest or exhibition stopped because of the injury, the outcome must be determined by scoring the completed rounds and the round during which the referee stops the contest or exhibition.

(18)Results of contests. A contest of mixed martial arts may end with the following results:

(a) Submission by:

(A) Physical tap out.

(B) Verbal tap out.

(C) Corner stoppage.

(b) Technical knockout by the referee stopping the contest.

(c) Decision via the scorecards, including:

(A) Unanimous decision.

(B) Split decision.

(C) Majority decision.

(D) Draw, including:

(i) Unanimous draw.

(ii) Majority draw.

(iii) Split draw.

(d) Technical decision.

(e) Technical draw.

(f) Disqualification.

(g) Forfeit.

(h) No contest.

(19)Professional and amateur mixed martial arts; Weight classes. Except with the approval of the Commission or its Executive Director, the weight classes for contests, matches, or exhibitions of mixed martial arts are as follows:

(a) Flyweight, up to and including 125 lbs.

(b) Bantamweight, over 125 to and including 135 lbs.

(c) Featherweight, over 135 to and including 145 lbs.

(d) Lightweight, over 145 to and including 155 lbs.

(e) Welterweight, over 155 to and including 170 lbs.

(f) Middleweight, over 170 to and including 185 lbs.

(g) Light Heavyweight, over 185 to and including 205 lbs.

(h) Heavyweight, over 205 to and including 265 lbs.

(i) Super Heavyweight, over 265 lbs.

Or. Admin. Code § 230-140-0040

SAC 1-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-29-08 thru 6-30-08; SAC 5-2008, f. 6-12-08, cert. ef. 7-1-08

Stat. Auth. ORS 463.113 & 463.185

Stats. Implemented: ORS 463.025, 463.035, 463.113 & 463.185