S.D. Admin. R. 20:81:05:10

Current through Register Vol. 50, page 159, June 17, 2024

Section 20:81:05:10 - Ring or fenced area requirements

Mixed martial arts contests may be held in a ring or in a fenced area. A mixed martial arts contest may not be permitted in any ring or area unless such ring or area has been inspected and approved by the Commission or its designee.

(1) The following requirements apply to a ring used in a contest of mixed martial arts:

(a) A ring may not be less than sixteen feet or more than thirty-two feet square inside the ropes;

(b) The ring floor must extend at least eighteen inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with Ensolite or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-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 may not be used;

(c) The ring may not be more than four feet above the floor and must have suitable steps for the use of contestants;

(d) Ring posts must be made of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor to a minimum height of fifty-eight inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be at lease eighteen inches away from the ring ropes;

(e) There must be a minimum of five ring ropes, with ties at appropriate intervals, with a minimum of two ties per side, not less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft materials. The lowest ring rope must be twelve inches above the ring floor;

(f) There must not be any obstruction or object, including, without limitation, a triangular border, on any part of the ring floor; and

(g) There must be at least ten feet between the edge of the apron of the ring and the first row of ticketholders. This area around ring must be denoted with a barrier to provide access for the Commission and officials around the entire ring;

(2) The following requirements apply to a fenced area used in a contest of mixed martial arts:

(a) The fenced area must be circular or have at least four equal sides and must be no smaller than sixteen feet wide or larger than thirty-two feet wide;

(b) The floor of the fenced area must be padded with Ensolite or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-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 may not be used;

(c) The platform of the fenced area may not be more than four feet above the floor and must have suitable steps for the use of contestants;

(d) Fenceposts must be made of metal, not more than six inches in diameter, extending from the floor to between five and seven feet 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 contestant from falling out of the fenced area or breaking through the fenced area onto the floor or onto spectators, including, without limitation, chain linked fence coated in vinyl;

(f) All 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 contestants;

(g) The door to the ring must be aligned with the stairs used to enter the ring to allow for direct access by the ringside physician and any necessary medical equipment;

(h) There may not be any obstruction on any part of the fence surrounding the area in which the contestants are to be competing.

The ring must be assembled and available for inspection by the Commission at least two hours prior to the first scheduled bout.

S.D. Admin. R. 20:81:05:10

41 SDR 7, effective 7/28/2014; 44 SDR 102, effective 12/18/2017

General Authority:42-12-10.

Law Implemented:42-12-10.