Chapter 85-4 FULL CONTACT KICKBOXING, INTERNATIONAL RULES KICKBOXING, AND THAI BOXING (MUAY THAI KICKBOSING)

Ring ropes shall be at least four in number and not less than one inch in diameter. The lowest rope must be positioned 18 inches above the ring floor, unless the ring is also being used in conjunction with mixed martial arts or boxing in which case the lowest rope will meet the approval of the commission representative and the commission approved referee. The highest rope must be 52 inches above the floor.

(2)	The circumference of all ropes must be wrapped with a padding of not less than one inch and of a type and construction approved by the Commission.

(3)	The Cage Fence shall meet commission approval.

Rule 85-4-.04 Ring Equipment & Hand Protection

(1)	Promoters shall provide all necessary non-personal equipment (subject to approval by the Commission) for use by seconds and contestants in all Commission sanctioned bouts. This necessary non-personal equipment shall include the ring and corner posts.

(2)	Promoters shall also provide the padded protection equipment to be worn on the hands of each contestant to ensure that matched contestants wear equipment of the same size, shape, style and manufacture.

Rule 85-4-.05 Bell

There shall be a bell or gong positioned at ringside. The bell or gong must make a clear tone so that its sound may be heard by the contestants.

Rule 85-4-.06 Rounds

Full Contact Kickboxing (Also known as Full Contact Karate or American Rules Kickboxing)- Amateur and Professional Bouts shall consist of two minute rounds for men and two minute rounds for women. The maximum number of rounds for professional Full Contact Kickboxing bouts is 10 (Title Fights Only), and the maximum number of rounds for amateur full contact kickboxing bouts is five.

International Rules Kickboxing (Also known as low-kick kickboxing) - Amateur and Professional Bouts shall consist of two minute rounds for men and two minute rounds for women. The maximum number of rounds for professional international rules kickboxing bouts is 10 (Title Fights Only), and the maximum number of rounds for amateur international rules kickboxing bouts is five.

(3)	Thaiboxing (also known as Muay Thai Kickboxing) - Professional bouts shall consist of three (3) or five (5) three (3) minute rounds for men and three (3) or five (5) two (2) minute rounds for women. Amateur bouts shall consist of three (3) or four (4) two (2) minute rounds for men and women.

(4)	All rest period time between rounds is 60 seconds.

Rule 85-4-.07 Contestants' Equipment

Contestants shall provide all necessary personal equipment (subject to approval by the Commission) for use by themselves and their seconds in all Commission sanctioned bouts. This necessary personal equipment shall include appropriate shorts or trousers, tape and bandages to be wrapped around the hands to prevent sprains and knuckle separations, padded protective equipment to be worn on the feet (Full Contact division), a groin protector for men and a breast protector for women (recommended), two Commission-approved mouth pieces, and water bottles.

(2)	Contestants shall wear contrasting colored uniforms.

Bandaging of each competitor's hands shall not exceed one roll 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 cover the hand but not extend within ¾ inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. Soft surgical bandage, not over two inches wide, held in place by not more than six feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand shall be used. Up to one 10-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, not to cover the knuckles. Bandages shall be adjusted in the locker room in the presence of a Commission official. Cloth hand-bandages, maximum length of 3.5 yards, may be used if approved by the commission representative.

(4)

The weight and type of padded protective equipment to be worn on the contestant's hands and feet shall be determined by the Commission in advance of the event. Matched contestants must wear padded protective equipment on the hands of an identical size, shape, and style and manufacture as provided by the promoter.

(5)

Male contestants must wear a foul-proof groin protector. Abdominal guards are also acceptable. Female contestants must wear a sports or athletic bra. In addition, foul-proof breast protectors or plastic breast covers can be worn. The Commission recommends that female contestants also wear pelvic protection.

(6)	All contestants must wear a Commission approved individually fitted mouthpiece.

(7)	Contestants with long hair may wear Commission approved hair stays.

(8)	All contestants weighing under 147 lbs must use eight-ounce (8 oz) regulation gloves for men and ten-ounce (10 oz) regulation gloves for women. All fighters weighing more than 147 lbs must use ten-ounce (10oz) regulation gloves for men and women.

(9)

The use of braces, supports, or additional padding or bandages other than the type prescribed by the rules are subject to approval only after inspection by the referee and commission representative. (10) All contestants must follow the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission Dress Code for the Rules under which their bout is fought:

(a)	Thai Boxing - Shorts, Gloves

(b)	International Kickboxing - Shorts, Compulsory Foot-Guards, Gloves.

(c)	Full Contact Kickboxing - Long Trousers or Shorts, Compulsory Foot-Guards, Shin-Guards (optional), Gloves.

(11)

The promoter and/or fighter will provide all amateur Muay Thai fighters with headgear, approved by the Commission, designed to lessen the impact of strikes directed to the head and reduce the likelihood of cuts. Three (3) or more verifiable amateur Muay Thai fighter are required to compete without having to wear headgear. If three (3) amateur Muay Thai fights cannot be verified then both contestants must wear the headgear.

(1)	Both the contestants must have three (3) or more verifiable amateur Muay Thai fights for the headgear not to be worn. If one (1) fighter does not have the required documented fights, then both contestants must wear headgear.

(12)	Advanced Amateur fights do not require shin pads.

Rule 85-4-.08 Weight Divisions

Official weight divisions for International Kickboxing, Full Contact Kickboxing and Thai Boxing are as follows;

Division	Weight Range
Flyweight	- 111 lb and under
Super Flyweight	111.1- 115.0lb
Bantamweight	115.1- 118.0 lb
Super Bantamweight	118.1-122.0 lb
Featherweight	122.1-126.0
Super Featherweight	126.1- 131.0 lb
Lightweight	131.1-134.0 lb
Super Lightweight	134.1-140.0 lb
Welterweight	140.1- 148.0 lb
Super Welterweight	148.1-154 lb
Middleweight	154.1-159.0 lb
Super Middleweight	159.1-167.0 lb
Lt Heavyweight	167.1- 173.0 lb
Super Lt Heavyweight	173.1-183.0 lb
Cruiserweight	183.1- 190.0 lb
Super Cruiserweight	190.1-198 lb
Heavyweight	198.1-209 lb
Super Heavyweight	+ 209 lb

(2)	No contest shall be scheduled and no contestants shall engage in a bout between the opposite sexes, or where the weight difference exceeds an allowance of 3.5 percent of the division weight without the approval of the commission representative

Rule 85-4-.09 Weigh-In

Contestants shall be weighed in on scales approved by the Commission at such a time and place as may be formally designated by the Commission in advance of all scheduled bouts. Contestants must weigh in a minimum of 6 hours before the event. All contestants must attend the designated weigh-in proceedings unless otherwise excused by the Commission.

(2)	By special permission of the Commission preliminary (undercard) contestants may be allowed to weigh-in not later than one hour before the scheduled time of the first match on the card.

Rule 85-4-.10 Officials

Each bout shall be conducted by a referee (number to be determined based on bout count), three judges, a physician, a timekeeper, a scorekeeper, inspectors, a Commission representative, and a medical transport unit. The Commission shall determine the qualifications and standards for all officials. The Commission secretary or the Commission shall assign all officials. Compensation will be set by the commission and shall not exceed compensation as outlined in 85-1-.07.

Rule 85-4-.11 Referee

(1)	The referee shall be charged with the general supervision of the bout. He or she shall enforce the rules, promote safety of the contestants, and ensure fair play.

Before starting a contest, the referee shall ascertain from each contestant the name of his or her chief second and shall hold the named chief second responsible for the conduct of the assistant seconds during the progress of the contest. The referee shall call contestants together before each bout for final instructions at which time each contestant shall be accompanied by the chief second only.

Rule 85-4-.12 Judges

The judges shall be stationed at ringside at locations designated by the Commission representative in charge. The judges shall work in conjunction with the referee and are charged with scoring the outcome of each round of a bout.

Rule 85-4-.13 Physician and Paramedics

A licensed medical doctor shall conduct pre-fight physicals on all contestants and referees. A licensed physician shall sit at the immediate ringside of all bouts. No bout shall be allowed to proceed unless the physician is in his or her seat. The physician shall not leave until after the decision in the final bout. He or she shall be prepared to assist if any serious emergency arises and shall render temporary or emergency treatments for cuts and minor injuries sustained by the contestants.

(2)	No manager or second shall attempt to render aid to a contestant during the course of a round before the physician has had an opportunity to examine the contestant who may have been injured. Time out shall be called for such examinations.

(3)	No event shall take place, amateur and/or professional, without a team of equipped, qualified paramedics present at each bout.

(4)	No event shall take place, amateur and/or professional, without a fully equipped paramedic ambulance on standby at the venue.

Rule 85-4-.14 Bouts

(1)	A bout begins when the bell sounds to start the first round and ends when the bell sounds to conclude the final round. No persons other than the contestants and the referee may be inside the ring during the progress of a round.

Fighters are allowed 3 people in their corner, one chief cornerman, two seconds. All 3 must remain seated during the rounds. Only the chief cornerman may give direction to the fighter during the round. Cornermen or seconds may not place their hands on the ring apron, the ropes or any part of the ring during the rounds. Cornermen or seconds may not enter into any verbal dispute with the referee or officials during the bout. All bouts shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission.

Rule 85-4-.15 Fouls

(1)	Any contestant guilty of foul tactics in a bout shall be given an immediate warning and points deducted from the contestant's total score as determined by the referee. The use of foul tactics also may result in disqualification of the contestant.

The following tactics are considered illegal techniques (fouls):

(a)

Thaiboxing (Or Muay Thai)

1.	All forms of biting.

2.	All strikes, blows and punches executed with the palm side of the gloves.

3.	All kicks to the back and the back of the neck.

4.	Any form of butting with the head.

5.	All attacks (strikes, punches, kicks) against the joints.

6.	Kicks to the groin.

7.	Attacking a downed opponent, or an opponent who touches the floor with his/her gloves.

8.	Spitting out one's mouth guard.

9.	Any kind of throwing above the waistline.

10.	Holding the opponent's leg while executing more than one striking or punching techniques.

(b)

International Rules Kickboxing

1.	All forms of biting.

2.	All strikes, blows and punches executed with the palm side of the gloves.

3.	All kicks to the back and the back of the neck.

4.	Any form of butting with the head.

5.	All attacks (strikes, punches, kicks) against the joints.

6.	Kicks to the groin.

7.	Attacking a downed opponent, or an opponent who touches the floor with his/her gloves.

8.	Spitting out one's mouth guard.

9.	Any kind of throwing above the waistline.

10.	Holding the opponent's leg while executing more than one striking or punching techniques.

11.	Holding the ropes and attacking an opponent, also in clinching situations.

12.	Any form of throwing (excluding foot sweeps).

13.	Any form of clinching or holding the opponent.

14.	All types of strikes with the elbows.

15.	Any form of kicking with the knees.

(c)

Full Contact Kickboxing

1.	All forms of biting.

2.	All strikes, blows and punches executed with the palm side of the gloves with the exception of a spinning backfist for professionals only.

3.	All kicks to the back and the back of the neck.

4.	Any form of butting with the head.

5.	All attacks (strikes, punches, kicks) against the joints.

6.	Kicks to the groin.

7.	Attacking a downed opponent, or an opponent who touches the floor with his/her gloves.

8.	Spitting out one's mouth guard.

9.	Any kind of throwing above the waistline.

10.	Holding the opponent's leg while executing more than one striking or punching techniques.

11.	Holding the ropes and attacking an opponent, also in clinching situations.

12.	Any form of throwing (excluding foot sweeps).

13.	Any form of clinching or holding the opponent.

14.	All types of strikes with the elbows.

15.	Any form of kicking with the knees.

16.	All kicks against the thighs or under the waistline are prohibited, excluding foot sweeps.

Rule 85-4-.16 Permitted Strikes

Full Contact Kickboxing

(a)	All forms of boxing in combination with kicks above the waist to the body and the head.

(b)	Rear (reverse) kicks to the body or the head, spinning back kicks to the body and to the head with full contact to knock out the opponent, also foot sweeps, are permitted.

(c)	Spinning Backfist when properly focused on opponent is a legal strike in professional full contact Kickboxing.

International Rules Kickboxing

(a)	All forms of boxing in combination with kicks above the waist to the body and the head.

(b)	Rear (reverse) kicks to the body or the head, spinning back kicks to the body and to the head with full contact to knock out the opponent, also foot sweeps, are permitted.

(c)	Low kicks to the thighs, inside and outside.

Thaiboxing (or Muay Thai)

(a)	All forms of boxing in combination with kicks above the waist to the body and the head.

(b)	Rear (reverse) kicks to the body or the head, spinning back kicks to the body and to the head with full contact to knock out the opponent, also foot sweeps, are permitted.

(c)	Low kicks to the thighs, inside and outside.

(d)	Kicks with the shin to the thighs, body and the head.

(e)	Knee attacks to the body (knees to head are permitted with prior acceptance by each opponent and approval by the commission in professional bouts).

(f)	Clinching and attacking at the same time with knees or any legal strikes. Clinch will be broken by referee for inactivity or if viewed as a stalling tactic.

(g)	Elbow strikes to the body (elbows to head are permitted with prior acceptance by each opponent and approval by commission in professional bouts).

(h)	Leg catching is legal and one step or one strike. Leg must be released after one step or one strike. Driving or "plowing" the opponent across the ring is illegal.

(i)	Flat throws below the waist line, only in clinching situations. No elevating throws, such as hip tosses or reaps.

(j)	The use of spinning backfist only with focus on the opponent.

Rule 85-4-.17 Minimum Kick Requirement

In thaiboxing and international rules kickboxing, there is no minimum kick requirement per round by the Commission. In full contact kickboxing the minimum kick requirement is 6 kicks for amateur contestants and 8 kicks for professional contestant per round. Full Contact Kickboxing contestants must make their best effort with an above the belt kick for the kick to be counted against their kick requirement. The referee may encourage the fighters to increase their activity (including kicking). Judges should take note of referees warnings and encouragements and score against the fighter who is not performing the more effective techniques.

Rule 85-4-.18 Timidity

A contestant who intentionally refuses to engage an opponent for a prolonged period of time, or who deliberately clinches or holds onto an opponent shall receive an immediate warning from the referee. If the contestant continues to utilize such passive tactics after receiving one warning during the round, points shall be deducted from the contestant's total score as determined by the referee.

(2)	If the contestant repeats the passive tactics, either in the same round or in the following rounds, he or she may be considered guilty of a foul and penalized accordingly.

(3)	In professional bouts, the contest will not be stopped by the loss of a mouthpiece until there is a clear break from the action. Repeated losing of the mouthpiece or intentional spitting out of the mouthpiece will constitute a foul and will be penalized accordingly.

Rule 85-4-.19 Accidental Fouls

If a bout is stopped because of an accidental foul, the referee shall determine whether or not the contestant who has been fouled can continue. The referee may consult with the attending physician. If the contestant's chances have not been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul, the referee may order the bout continued after a reasonable interval.

On the other hand, if by reason of accidental foul a contestant shall be rendered unfit to continue the contest, the bout shall be terminated. The scorekeeper shall tally all scores, subtracting all penalties. If the injured contestant is behind on points in the majority opinion of the judges, then the referee shall declare the contest to be a technical draw. But if the injured contestant has a lead in points, then the referee shall declare him or her to be the winner by technical decision.

(3)	Further, should an accidental foul terminate a bout during the first round, the referee shall declare the contest to be a technical draw.

Rule 85-4-.20 Stopping the Contest

The referee or the attending ringside physician shall have the power to stop a contest. The referee shall have the power to stop a contest at any stage if he or she considers the bout too onesided, or if either contestant is in such condition that to continue might subject him or her to serious injury. In either case, the referee shall declare the fit contestant to be the winner by technical knockout.

(2)	Should both contestants be in such condition that to continue might subject them to serious injury, the referee shall declare the contest to be a technical draw.

In cases where a contestant receives a cut eye from a fair blow, or an accidental foul, or any other injury which the referee believes may incapacitate the contestant, the referee must call the attending physician into the ring for examination of the contestant before the referee decides whether to stop the contest. Time will be called during the examination.

Rule 85-4-.21 Failure to Compete

In any case where the referee decides that the contestants are not honestly competing, or that the knockout or the foul has been a prearranged termination of the contest, he or she shall neither finish the knockout count nor disqualify a contestant for fouling nor render a decision. Instead, the referee shall stop the bout and declare the contest ended not later than before the end of the last round. The referee shall then order the purses of both contestants held pending investigation and disposition of funds by the Commission.

Rule 85-4-.22 Failure to Resume Contest

No contestant shall leave the ring during the one-minute rest period between rounds. Should a contestant fail or refuse to resume the contest when the bell sounds denoting the start of the next round, the referee shall declare the contestant's opponent to be the winner by knockout as of the round which last ended.

However, should the referee decide that the circumstances surrounding the bout's termination require investigation, or disciplinary action, then the referee shall not make a decision, but rather shall order the purses of both contestants held pending investigation and disposition of funds by the Commission.

Rule 85-4-.23 Knock Downs

A contestant shall be declared knocked down if any portion of the contestant's body other than the feet touch the floor, or if the contestant hangs helplessly over the ropes. "Flash" knock downs in Thai boxing will not be considered knock downs. Flash Knock downs are considered knock downs in which the contestant returns to his/her feet almost immediately.

(2)	A contestant shall not be declared knocked down if he or she is punched, thrown, or accidentally slips to the floor. The determination as to whether a contestant is pushed, thrown or slips to the floor, rather than being knocked down, shall be made by the referee.

Rule 85-4-.24 Counting

Whenever a contestant is knocked down, the referee shall order the contestant's opponent to retire to the farthest corner of the ring, pointing to the corner and immediately begin the count over the knocked down contestant. The referee will audibly announce the passing of each one-second interval, indicating its passage with a downward motion of the arm.

Any time a contestant is knocked down, the referee shall automatically begin a mandatory eight-count and then, if the contestant appears able to continue, will allow the bout to resume. The timekeeper, through effective signaling, shall give the referee the correct one-second intervals for the count. The referee's count is the only official count.

Should a contestant be knocked down three times in one round from blows to the head, the referee shall stop the contest and declare the contestants opponent to be the winner by technical knockout. The three knock down rule may be waived by agreement between Commission, promoter, and contestants prior to the bout in championship bouts.

(a)

Whenever a contestant is knocked out primarily as a result of a kick, whether or not the kick occurred in combination with punches, the referee shall declare the contestant's opponent to be the winner by either kick knockout or technical kick knockout, whichever is appropriate and shall be entered into the fighter's official record as a TKO.

(4)	Should a contestant who is down rise before the count of ten is reached and then go down immediately without being struck, the referee shall resume the count where it was left off.

(5)	If the contestant taking the count is still down when the referee calls the count of ten, the referee shall wave both arms to indicate that the contestant has been knocked out and will signal that the contestant's opponent is the winner.

(6)	A round's ending before the referee reached the count of ten will have no bearing on the count. The contestant must still rise before the count of ten to avert a knockout.

(7)

Should both contestants go down at the same time, the referee shall continue to count as long as one of the contestants is down. If both contestants remain down until the count of ten, the contest will be stopped and the referee shall declare the bout to be a technical draw. However, if one contestant rises before the count of ten and the other contestant remains down, the first contestant to rise shall be declared the winner by knockout. Should both contestants rise before the count of ten, the round will continue.

Rule 85-4-.25 Standing Eight-Count

There shall be no standing eight count.

Rule 85-4-.26 Communicating the Count

As soon as a contestant has been knocked down, the timekeeper shall begin calling the count, from one to ten, while the referee directs the contestant's opponent to a neutral corner. When the referee has finished directing the opponent to a neutral corner, he or she shall return to the knocked down contestant and count over him or her, picking up the count from the timekeeper.

Rule 85-4-.27 Falling From the Ring

A contestant who has been wrestled, pushed, or who has fallen through the ropes during the contest, may not be helped back into the ring. The referee shall allow reasonable time for the return. When on the ring platform outside the ropes, the contestant must enter the ring immediately. Should the contestant stall for time outside the ropes, the referee shall start the count without waiting for the contestant to re-enter the ring.

(2)	Once a fallen contestant re-enters the ring, the referee may either resume the contest or start the round from the moment that the contestant is back in the ring.

(3)	Whenever a contestant falls through the ropes, the contestant's opponent must retire to the farthest corner, as directed by the referee and remain there until ordered to resume the contest.

(4)	A contestant who deliberately wrestles or throws an opponent from the ring, or who hits an opponent who is partly out of the ring and thus prevented by the ropes from assuming a position of defense, may be penalized.

Rule 85-4-.28 Wiping the Gloves

Before a fallen contestant resumes competition, after having been knocked to, slipped to, or fallen to the floor, the referee shall wipe the contestant's gloves free of any foreign substance.

Rule 85-4-.29 Consulting the Physician

(1)	The referee may, at his or her discretion, request the physician to examine a contestant during the bout. Should the examination occur during the course of a round, the clock shall be stopped until the examination is completed.

(2)	If after consulting with the physician, the referee decides that further contact below the belt, whether from fair or foul blow, will result in injury to a contestant's knee, he or she shall prohibit striking below the belt for the remainder of the bout.

(3)	Also, the physician shall have the power to order the referee to stop the bout, at any time, due to the incapacitation of one or both contestants. The referee will then render the appropriate decision.

Rule 85-4-.30 Scoring