Chapter 20

20-25.2. Omitted by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. Editor’s Note Former R. 20-25.2 was titled Denial of License or Permit , see now S.C. Code Regs. 20-24.2. 20-25.3. Omitted by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff Jun…

20-25.6. Omitted by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. Editor’s Note Former R. 20-25.6 was titled Verbal or Physical Abuse of Commission Representatives or Officials is Forbidden , see now S.C. Code Regs. 20-24.5. 20-25.7. Omitted by State Re…

20-27.01. Definitions.

20-27.02. Conducting mixed martial arts events. (A) ‘‘MMA’’ is a general term used to identify a mixed martial arts event that describes the convergence of techniques from a variety of combative sports disciplines including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, kickboxing and others.…

20-27.03. Requirements for mixed martial arts contestants. (A) Amateur contestants: (1) The minimum and maximum ages for amateur contestants in South Carolina are eighteen (18) to thirty-five (35) years old, unless otherwise set by statute. The maximum age may be waived by the Co…

20-27.04. Weigh in procedures. (A) The weigh-ins must be conducted by a Commission Representative at a place and time designated by the Commission. (B) All contestants must weigh in. Contestants are limited to shorts, shirt or sports bra and socks. (C) The scale used for the offi…

20-27.05. Judging and scoring. (A) All bouts will be scored by three (3) judges. (B) The ‘‘Ten-Point Must System’’ will be the standard system of scoring a bout. The winner of the round will be awarded ten (10) points and the loser of the round will be awarded nine (9) points or …

20-27.06. Fouls - intentional, unintentional, procedures and types of fouls. (A) Procedures: (1) Referee shall issue a warning. After the initial warning a penalty will be issued. The penalty may be a deduction of points or disqualification depending on the severity of the foul. …

20-27.07. Mouthpiece rule. All contestants are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The mouthpiece is subject to examination and approval by the attending physician. The round cannot begin without the mouth- piece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, t…

20-27.08. Restarting fighters. Following any medical time-out, or when a ring is being used and one or both opponents are under the ropes on the apron of the ring or in danger of falling from the apron of the ring, time will be called by the referee and both fighters will be posi…

20-27.09. Appearance, Attire and Protective Equipment. (A) Groin protectors. (1) Male fighters must wear a professionally manufactured and Commission approved groin protector, which will protect them against injury from a foul blow. No homemade or non- professionally manufactured…

20-27.10. Glove specifications for Professional and Amateur Contestants. 1. Professional. (A) For professional mixed martial arts contests each contestant must wear gloves that weigh not less than four (4) ounces and not more than six (6) ounces. (B) The gloves shall be supplied …

20-27.11. Specifications for bandages on hands for mixed martial art contestants. (A) In all weight classes, the bandages on each contestant’s hands shall be restricted to soft gauze type cloth not more than fifteen (15) yards in length and two (2) inches in width, held in place …

20-27.12. Requirements for a ring or caged area. (A) Mixed martial arts shall be held in a Commission approved ring or caged area. (B) The ring or caged area specifications for mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements: (1) The cage must be of circular type dimensio…

20-27.13. Rubber gloves. When a ring is used all seconds working in the corner must wear rubber gloves. When a caged area is used only the second who enters the caged area must wear rubber gloves. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 36, Issue No. 6, eff June 22, 2012. Amended…

20-27.14. Types of bout results. (A) A mixed martial arts contest may end under the following results: (1) Submission: (a) Tap out: when a contestant physically uses his/her hand(s) to indicate that he/she no longer wishes to continue. (b) Verbal tap out: when a contestant verbal…

20-27.15. Number of rounds required for mixed martial arts bouts and events. (A) Professional Bouts: (1) Professional bouts will be three (3) rounds of five (5) minutes each with a one (1) minute rest period that includes a ten (10) second warning signal. (2) Championship bouts w…

20-27.16. Promoter’s responsibilities. (A) Bout agreements. (1) The bout agreement between a promoter and a pro contestant must be executed and submitted to the South Carolina Athletic Commission no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the event. (2) A bout agreement which …

20-27.17. Licensing. (A) All participants shall be licensed pursuant to the South Carolina Athletic Commission laws, rules and regulations. (B) The license application must include a photograph showing a frontal view of the head and shoulders of the applicant. (C) A contestant’s …

20-27.18. Seconds’ and Managers’ duties when working in a corner. (A) Except for title fights, there may be no more than three (3) licensed seconds positioned in a designated area by the ring or cage or positioned in each corner of the ring. Four (4) corners may be allowed in the…

20-27.19. Disciplinary action. (A) All contestants and participants may be disciplined for any violation of the South Carolina athletic laws, rules and regulations. (B) The administrator, inspector or a Commission Representative shall suspend a contestant for any violation to inc…

20-27.20. Suspensions and mandatory rest period. (A) Sixty (60) day suspension for a knockout ‘‘KO’’. (B) Thirty (30) day suspension for a technical knockout ‘‘TKO’’. (1) Referee stoppage from submission or choke hold prior to verbal commitment or tap out. (2) Referee stoppage fr…

20-27.21. Medical requirements for mixed martial arts contestants. Professional and amateur mixed martial arts contestants must produce: (A) Negative HIV (B) Negative hepatitis B surface antigen (C) Negative hepatitis C antibody (D) Procedures to complete when failing hepatitis B…

20-27.22. Conduct when contestants enter the ring or caged area. (A) No Contestant or promoter may display any type of entrance theme that includes music, video, or any type of physical display that contains any profanity or any derogatory ethnic remarks. Anyone violating this ru…

20-27.23. Fees. The Commission may charge fees as shown in South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 10-4 and on the South Carolina State Athletic Commission website at http://llr.sc.gov/POL/Athletic/. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 36, Issue No. 6, eff June 22, 2012. A…

20-27.24. Change of Decision by Commission. The Commission may in its discretion declare a referee’s decision a ‘‘no contest’’, if in its judgment a noticeable error has been committed which affects the outcome of the bout. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6,…

20-27.25. Judges; Majority Vote. The Commission Representative shall designate three (3) judges for all events. The judges shall render a decision in any MMA contest by a majority vote. A decision of the judges shall be final. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No.…

20-27.26. Substitution of Referee or Judge. (1) In the event a referee or judge becomes unable to continue his/her duties during a mixed martial arts contest, time out shall be called and another official shall be immediately assigned by the Commission Representative or chief of …

20-27.27. General Supervisory Duties. The Commission Representative shall be in charge of shows for the purpose of: (1) Enforcing regulations issued by the Commission which include but are not limited to: (a) The Commission Representative shall assign all officials for all mixed …

20-27.28. Verbal or Physical Abuse of Commissioner or Commission Representative Verbal or physical abuse of any Commissioner, the Commission Representative or any person representing the Commission shall be a violation of the act establishing this commission and shall be subject …

20-27.29. Attendance at Weigh-In. A Commission Representative must attend all weigh-ins, as well as the performances. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.30. Receipt Book. (1) If a Commission Representative has been furnished a receipt book, and he/she shall carry it with him/her at all times during an event. (2) Receipts are made out in triplicate; one copy for the person paying the fee, one copy to forward to the Commissio…

20-27.31. Forwarding of Scorecards. The Commission Representative at mixed martial arts shows must obtain the judges scorecards and forward them to the Commission upon request in addition to the other required reports. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc.…

20-27.32. Check of Substitute Contestants. When contestant substitutions occur in any MMA event, the Commission Representative must thoroughly check the substitute’s record, including his/her last five (5) bouts, license, suspension status, name of his/her manager, if any, and an…

20-27.33. Check of Seconds’ Compliance with Rules. The Commission Representative shall see that all seconds present a neat appearance according to the rules of this Chapter. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.34. Assure Enforcement of Regulations. The Commission Representative shall see that all necessary equipment is provided, that the participants are ready on time, that the seconds are properly instructed in their duties and that all regulations pertaining to the proper condu…

20-27.35. Report of Injuries. Commission representatives shall make an inquiry of all fighters after their bouts, in cooperation with the physicians, and shall report any injuries to the Commission within seventy-two (72) hours. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue N…

20-27.36. Forwarding of Receipts. Commission representatives shall maintain all receipts from receipt books in their custody promptly after the conduct of any show to which they are assigned. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 201…

20-27.37. Designation; Approval; License. Announcers may be designated by the promoters with the approval of the Commission Representa- tive. Announcers must be licensed by the Commission. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.38. Authorization to Announce. Announcers are forbidden to make any announcement whatsoever except as authorized to do so by the promoter with the consent of the Commission Representative at the ringside. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 453…

20-27.39. Announcement of Contestants’ Names and Weights. After contestants and their chief seconds are in the ring, the mixed martial arts announcer shall announce the names of the contestants, their correct weights, and other matters as may be directed by the Commission Represe…

20-27.40. Announcement of Contest Results. Mixed martial arts announcers shall announce the judges’ decisions at the end of contests and in the event of knockouts at the time of same and the round of occurrence. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 45…

20-27.41. Neutrality. (1) Announcers must not in any way by word or action attempt to show any partisanship inside or outside the ring. (2) Announcers must remain seated in place and be silent except when making official announce- ments. (3) Announcers shall not use foul, abusive…

20-27.42. Introducing Suspended Person. (1) Mixed martial arts announcers must not at any time introduce from any ring any contestant or other person who is under suspension. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. ARTICLE 3 TIME…

20-27.43. Approval and License. Timekeepers shall be approved and licensed by the Commission. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.44. Stop-Watch. A timekeeper shall have an accurate stop-watch approved by the Commission Representative. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.45. Time of Round; Rest Period. (1) Each round of a mixed martial arts contest shall be three (3) minutes unless approved in advance by the Commission Representative. However, in the event of a knockdown near the end of a round, the round shall continue until the official c…

20-27.46. Warning Signal. Ten (10) seconds before the beginning of each round the timekeeper shall give warning to the seconds of the contestants by sounding a signal. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.47. Termination Before Scheduled Limit. In the event a mixed martial arts contest terminates before the scheduled limit of rounds, the timekeeper shall inform the announcer of the exact duration of the contest. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. N…

20-27.48. Location near Bell. A timekeeper shall be seated close to the bell at ringside. Adequate space must be provided to allow the timekeeper complete freedom of motion. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.