Part II: Competition area
1. General competition area requirements
- The promoter shall provide for the use of each contestant:
- a stool for use during the rest period between rounds
- a stool or chair for the use of each of their seconds
- a clean bucket
- The promoter shall provide for the use of officials assigned by the Commissioner:
- a stool for each judge, which allows for a clear, unobstructed view of the competition area
- tables and chairs for the ringside medical practitioners, scorekeepers and the timekeepers and other officials assigned by the Commissioner, placed immediately adjacent to the competition area
- chairs for paramedics, placed in close proximity to the ringside medical practitioners
- a bell, horn or similar device, if requested by the Commissioner
- bottled water
- any other equipment that the Commissioner may specify for the proper conduct of a contest
- The competition area shall be amply illuminated by overhead lights which shall:
- be mounted not less than 16 feet above the floor of the competition area
- be arranged so that shadows are minimized and do not hinder the view of officials and contestants
- There shall be no obstructions within 16 feet immediately above the floor of the competition area.
- The area immediately surrounding the outside of the competition area shall be:
- sufficient to provide adequate space for the seating of officials assigned by the Commissioner and their equipment, at least six feet from spectators
- be secured in such a manner as to prevent spectators from having access to the competition area
- The promoter shall have an attendant capable of making repairs, corrections and adjustments to the competition area, the lights and other necessary fixtures available at all times during a contest or exhibition.
2. Competition area for bouts of mixed martial arts
- All professional contests or exhibitions of mixed martial arts shall be held in a fenced area, which has been inspected and approved by the Commissioner or an official assigned by the Commissioner.
- The fenced area must be circular or have at least six equal sides and must be at least 18 feet wide and no larger than 32 feet wide.
- There shall be at least six fence posts that shall:
- be made of metal
- extend from the floor of the building to not less than 58 inches and not more than 96 inches above the floor of the fenced area
- be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commissioner.
- The fenced area platform shall:
- be level
- be constructed of at least a one-inch base of building board or similar material
- be padded with at least a one-inch layer of impact absorbing material, which shall extend over the edge of the platform
- be covered with clean canvas, duck, vinyl or similar material, in good condition, stretched taut and laced tightly to the fenced area platform
- be elevated at least three feet but not more than four feet above the floor of the building
- The fencing shall:
- be made of a material that will prevent a contestant from falling out of the fenced area, including chain link fence coated with vinyl or another material approved by the Commissioner
- have no obstructions placed on any part of it
- There shall be steps placed at two entrances on the opposite sides of the fenced area platform.
- Any metal portion of the fenced area must be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commissioner and shall not be abrasive to the contestants.
3. Attendants
- The promoter of the event shall have attendants responsible for:
- securely closing the doors to the fenced area before the bout and between rounds, where the bout is held in a fenced competition area
- thoroughly cleaning the competition area after each bout, or upon the request of the referee or Commissioner.
Updated: January 10, 2025
Published: December 11, 2024