Section 0145-03-.02 - RINGAll kickboxing and mix martial arts contests or events shall be conducted in rings as follows:
(1) For kickboxing contests or events, the ring or fighting area shall meet the following requirements:(a) The ring shall be not less than seventeen feet (17') square within the ropes. The ring floor shall extend beyond the ropes not less than eighteen inches (18"). Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform. Such floor shall be padded with a one (1) inch layer of Ensolite (or the equivalent) placed over a one (1) inch base of building board or other suitable material. The padding shall be covered with canvas, duck, or similar material tightly stretched and laced securely in place under the apron.(b) The ring platform shall not be more than four feet (4') above the floor of the building, and shall be equipped with suitable steps for use by combatants. Ring posts shall be metal, not more than four inches (4") in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a height of fifty-eight inches (58") above the ring floor, and shall be properly padded.(c) Ring ropes shall be at least four (4) in number, not less than one inch (1") in diameter; the lower rope eighteen inches (18") above the ring floor, the second rope thirty inches (30") above the ring floor, the third rope forty-two inches (42") above the ring floor, and the fourth rope fifty-four inches (54") above the ring floor. The lower rope shall have applied around it a padding of a thickness of not less than one-half inch (1/4") and of a type and construction to be approved by the Commission.(2) For all other types of mixed martial arts bouts, the ring or fighting area shall meet the requirements set forth in this section as follows:(a) The ring or fighting area shall be no smaller than twenty feet (20') by twenty feet (20') and no larger than thirty-two feet (32') by thirty-two (32'). A ring enclosed by ropes shall be square. The ring floor or floor of the fighting area enclosed by ropes shall extend at least twenty inches (20") beyond the ropes. The ring floor or floor of the fighting area shall be padded with a one-inch (1") layer of Ensolite (or the equivalent) placed over a one-inch (1") base of building board or other suitable material. Padding shall extend beyond the ring or fighting area and over the edge of the platform. The ring or fighting area shall have a canvas covering or similar material, tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Materials made up of one hundred percent (100%) vinyl or one hundred percent (100%) plastic rubberized covering shall not be permitted. Blended materials may be accepted if approved by the Commission, the Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee prior to use at a contest. Blended materials include those of which the surface contains a combination of vinyl or similar synthetic materials. The Executive Director or the Executive Director's designee shall make a determination of approval based upon whether or not the material creates an unreasonable risk of harm to any combatant that is not present with the use of standard canvas or duct type material. Such danger shall include, but is not limited to: slipping, falling, or tears that could create lacerations to the body. The Executive Director may publish a list of material blends that have previously been determined as acceptable by the Commission. There shall not be any obstruction or object, including but not limited to a triangular border, on any part of the ring floor.(b) The ring platform shall not be more than four feet (4') above the floor of the building. A ring enclosed by ropes shall have three (3) sets of suitable steps or ramps, one for use by each of the combatants and one for use by the officials. A ring enclosed by a fence shall have two (2) sets of suitable steps or ramps for use by the combatants and the officials. Ringside tables shall be no higher than ring platform level. Ring posts for a ring enclosed by ropes shall be metal, not less than three inches (3") nor more than six inches (6") in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a maximum height of six inches (6") above the highest horizontal rope above the ring floor. Ring posts for a ring enclosed by ropes shall be separated from the ring ropes by at least eighteen inches (18"). The posts for a ring enclosed by a fence shall extend from the floor to the top of the fighting area and shall be no less than sixty-six inches (66") and no more than seventy-eight inches (78") above the floor of the fighting area. All posts shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission.(c) The ring shall be enclosed by either of the following:(1) A fence made of such material as will not allow a combatant to fall out or break through it on to the floor or spectators, including but not limited to vinyl-coated chain link. However, the enclosure shall not obstruct or limit the supervision and regulation of the bout by the officials or Commission representatives. All metal parts shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and shall not be abrasive to the combatants; or(2) Four (4) or Five (5) horizontal ropes not less than 1 inch (1") in diameter and wrapped in soft material. In the event a four (4) rope ring is used, the spacing of the ropes shall be that specified in Rule 0145-02-.02(4). In the event a five (5) rope ring is used, the lowest rope shall be not less than five inches (5") nor more than eight (8") inches above the floor. The second rope shall be not less than eight inches (8") nor more than twelve inches (12") above the lowest rope. The top three (3) ropes shall be spaced equal distance apart and not less than twelve inches (12") nor more than fourteen inches (14") from each other. The lowest rope shall have a padding of a thickness of not less than one-half inch (1/4") applied around it. The horizontal ropes shall be tied together by vertical ropes not less than one-fourth inch (%") in diameter. If a ring is less than twenty-four feet (24') by twenty-four feet (24'), there shall be two (2) vertical ropes, spaced equal distance apart, on each side of the ring. If a ring is twenty-four feet (24') by twenty-four (24') or greater, there shall be three (3) vertical ropes, spaced equal distance apart, on each side of the ring. The lowest portion of each vertical rope, between the lowest horizontal rope and second rope, shall have a padding of a thickness of not less than one-fourth inch (%") applied around them.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0145-03-.02
Emergency rules 0145-01 through 0145-05 filed November 7, 2008; effective though April 21, 2009. Emergency rule filed April 20, 2009; effective through October 2, 2009. New rule filed March 17, 2009; effective May 31, 2009. Amendments filed September 25, 2019; effective 12/24/2019.Authority: Chapter 1149 of the Public Acts of 2008, § 2 and T.C.A. § 68-115-201.