Chapter 20

20-27.49. Signals during Rounds. Except for the official ten-second signal, a timekeeper must not give any signal or information on the duration of any round in progress in any contest. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.50. Termination between Rounds. (1) In the event a mixed martial arts bout terminates between rounds by decision of the referee or at the request of a corner, the timekeeper shall sound the bell as a signal for the next round. (2) The contest shall then be considered as hav…

20-27.51. Count for Knockdowns. The timekeeper may be designated by the referee to initiate the count in the event of a knockdown. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. ARTICLE 4 PHYSICIANS

20-27.52. Approval and Assignment. Physicians shall be arranged for by the promoter from an approved list provided by the Commission. If a promoter requests approval of a physician not on the list, the Commission or its designee may approve said physician on a case-by-case basis.…

20-27.53. Examination of Contestants. Physicians assigned to contestants’ shows must perform thorough pre- and post-fight physicals on the contestants on the day of the event. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.54. Position at Ringside. (1) Physicians shall sit at the immediate ringside at all mixed martial arts shows. (2) No mixed martial arts bout shall be allowed to proceed unless the physician is in his/her seat. (3) The physician shall not leave until after the final bout. (4…

20-27.55. Completion of Injury Form and Report. Physicians must fill out and return to the Commission Representative a printed injury form for every contestant immediately after a mixed martial arts event. These forms shall be maintained by the Commission representative. HISTORY:…

20-27.56. Unfit Participant. Physicians must rule off the card any contestant who is found physically unfit at the weigh-in or pre- fight physical. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. ARTICLE 5 INSURANCE FOR CONTESTANTS

20-27.57. Proof of Insurance. (1) Each licensed promoter shall be required to submit evidence of a policy of medical and hospital insurance satisfactory to the Commission at the time application is made to the Commission for a permit. (2) The promoter must provide proof that prem…

20-27.58. Coverage. (1) Insurance will cover contestants for medical, surgical, and hospital care in amounts to be designated by the Commission. (2) Each licensed promoter must have event insurance in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) in case of injury and ten thous…

20-27.60. General Responsibility. A licensed promoter will be held responsible for any failure in adhering to the rules and regulations of the Commission. The Commission may at its discretion video or require the promoter to furnish videos of the event to the Commission. The prom…

20-27.61. Intermissions. All events are limited to one (1) half-time intermission and one (1) additional intermission with the prior approval of the Commission Representative, not including intermissions for medical emergencies. Promoters shall not permit intermissions at mixed m…

20-27.62. Persons Unlicensed or Under Suspension. Promoters and their matchmakers shall not permit any person unlicensed or under suspension to take part in a sanctioned event. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.63. Grounds for Suspension of License. Any promoter holding a license may be suspended for a conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or for unbecoming conduct at any time or place reflecting discredit to mixed martial arts. HISTORY: Added by State Regist…

20-27.64. Maintenance of Order; Responsibility. (1) Promoters will be held responsible for maintaining order. Any person who is intoxicated, abusive or disorderly in conduct, to the annoyance of surrounding spectators, may be ejected. (2) Promoters must supply security with a min…

20-27.65. Minimum/Maximum Schedule of Rounds per Program. Promoters shall not schedule less than twenty-one (21) or more than sixty (60) rounds of mixed martial arts on one program. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.66. Time of Final Bout. (1) The final bout shall not end later than 11:59 P.M., unless approved by the Commission Representative. (2) If the semifinal or other advertised bouts have not been held by 10 PM, they shall be held after the main event bout. HISTORY: Added by Stat…

20-27.67. Filing of Mixed Martial Arts Contracts; Secret Agreements. (1) Upon the request of the Commission, copies of all mixed martial arts contracts between or among any participants must be filed with the Commission at the designated time before the event. (2) The making of s…

20-27.68. Nonprofit and Charitable Events. Events sponsored, promoted or conducted by nonprofit and/or charitable organizations shall be subject to all the provisions of these rules and regulations. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June …

20-27.69. Posting of Surety Bond or Certified Funds. Licensed promoters shall post with the Commission a surety bond or certified funds acceptable to the Commission in a minimum amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), but in no case, not less than the amount of the total pur…

20-27.70. Promoter Participating as a Contestant. No promoter shall participate as a contestant in any event in which the promoter is involved as a promoter or a matchmaker. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. ARTICLE 7 MATCH…

20-27.71. Observance of Rules. Matchmakers must observe all the rules and requirements with respect to weight agreements, weighing-in, and the proper execution and filing of contracts and advance notices. The matchmaker is responsible for properly identifying all contestants. HIS…

20-27.72. Uneven Matches. Matchmakers and promoters may be held responsible if they make matches in which one of the principals is outclassed or mismatched. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.73. Dealings with Persons Unlicensed or Under Suspension. Matchmakers shall not permit any person unlicensed or under suspension to take any part whatsoever in any match. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-27.74. Grounds for Suspension of License. Any event participant holding a license may be suspended if arrested or convicted for a charge involving moral turpitude or for unbecoming conduct at any time or place reflecting discredit to mixed martial arts. Under similar circumsta…

20-27.75. Submission of Names and Addresses of Contestants. Contestants names, aliases, addresses, and date of birth must be submitted to the Commission Representative no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of the event. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39…

20-27.76. Matchmaker Participating as a Contestant. No matchmaker shall participate as a contestant in any event in which he/she is involved as a matchmaker. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015. ARTICLE 8 FEMALE MMA CONTESTANT…

20-27.80. Female MMA Contestants. (Same rules as for male contestants plus the following:) (1) No applicant shall be contracted for or engage in a contest between male and female. (2) Contests will be limited to three (3) rounds of three (3) minutes duration. (3) Breast protectio…

20-27.81. Investigations and Hearings Held by Commission. (1) Any designated representative of the Commission may make investigations. The Commission may hold hearings and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses. (2) The Commission also may order production of books…

20-27.82. Disciplinary Action. Any person or entity required by law to be licensed by this Commission shall be subject to disciplinary action for any violation of these regulations or order of the Commission. Upon the hearing and its determination of just cause existing, the Comm…

20-3.1. Ring Floor Material. Every ring used for boxing shall be equipped with a one (1) inch layer of Celotex Building Board Number 2 or a similar approved substance. Said application shall be between the floor of the ring and the canvas-covered padding. HISTORY: Amended by Stat…

20-3.10. Vision. No license shall be issued to any applicant for a boxer’s license whose vision is so poor as to cause any examining physician to recommend that no license be granted. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Issue No. 6, eff June 27, 1986; State Register Vol…

20-3.11. Head Injury. A boxer’s license may be denied to a boxer who has suffered cerebral hemorrhage or any other serious head or jaw injury. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Issue No. 6, eff June 27, 1986; State Register Volume 12, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 1988; S…

20-3.12. Abdominal Guard. All boxers must wear a foul-proof abdominal guard and cup which shall be examined and approved before all bouts by the Commission Representative. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Issue No. 6, eff June 27, 1986; State Register Volume 12, Issu…

20-3.14. Refreshment Containers. Refreshments, drinks and food may be sold at any regulated event. It is at the discretion and mutual understanding between the promoter and the venue owner to regulate the distribution of such refreshments. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volum…

20-3.15. Examinations. The Commission or Commission Representative may order an examination of boxers at any time for the purpose of determining whether such boxers are fit and qualified to engage in future matches or exhibitions. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Iss…

20-3.16. Maintaining Order. Every promoter holding a permit to conduct a boxing match shall provide for suitable security, with at least one (1) commissioned police officer and based on the seating capacity for that particular event. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, …

20-3.17. Boxer’s Record; Suspension. 1. A boxer who sustains a succession of six (6) defeats or a series of knockouts or technical knockouts in any state or jurisdiction may be subject to licensure denial or suspension. 2. If a boxer is medically suspended in any other state, suc…

20-3.18. Determination of Physical Circumstances. The Commission’s policy is that a referee’s competency is accepted, but the referee shall, at all times, avail himself/herself of the trained and expert judgment of a physician’s greater knowledge of a boxer’s well-being; and he/s…

20-3.19. Physician’s Recommendations. Physicians approved by the Commission are required to file recommendations on all boxers who reveal inadequate ability for further competition due to medically related concerns. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Issue No. 6, eff J…

20-3.2. Ring Padding. Ring padding shall be at a thickness approved by the Commission Representative and shall be covered by a clean, unbroken canvas. Padding shall be periodically checked to guard against loss of effectiveness through constant use. HISTORY: Amended by State Regi…

20-3.20. Examination and Suspension after Knockout. (A) Sixty (60) day suspension for a knockout ‘‘KO’’. (B) Thirty (30) day suspension for a technical knockout ‘‘TKO’’. (C) The Commission may require the contestant to submit a neurological examination by a neurologist, a CAT sca…

20-3.3. Ring Aprons. Ring aprons which extend beyond the ropes must be properly padded and shall have Celotex Building Board Number 2 or similar substance approved by the Commission Representative between the padding and the floor. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 20, Is…

20-3.4. Ropes, Tops of Ring Posts. 1. Steps leading into the ring shall be in diagonally opposite corners of the ring. 2. A ring stool shall be made available for each corner. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 39, Issue No. 6, Doc. No. 4536, eff June 26, 2015.

20-3.5. Emergency Equipment and Medical Personnel. The promoter shall arrange for and provide, in addition to a ring side physician, emergency medical equipment and a certified EMT attendant to be present at ringside prior to the start of and throughout each contest. The physicia…

20-3.6. Participation of Suspended Boxer. Any boxer suspended or serving a rest period must not participate in any event without commission approval. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 10, Issue No. 6, eff June 27, 1986; State Register Volume 20, Issue No. 6, Part 1, eff J…

20-3.7. Compulsory and Discretionary Eight Count; Three Knockdowns in One Round. 1. A compulsory count of eight (8) must be taken by every boxer who is knocked down by a punch and he/she must take the count whether reclining or standing. 2. The referee may declare a standing eigh…

20-3.8. (C) A contestant will be suspended for a period of not less than one (1) year for participating in any mixed martial arts events in the state of South Carolina not sanctioned and approved by the South Carolina Athletic Commission. (D) If a licensed professional mixed mart…

20-3.9. Other Substances. 1. Substances such as Monsel’s solution and other iron or bismouth compounds, collodion, silver nitrate, ammonia or smelling salts are prohibited. The use of such modalities will result in disqualification, suspension or fine of the boxer, manager and/or…

20-4.1. General Requirement. 1. No person, club, corporation or association may be a participant in boxing bouts in the State of South Carolina without first having obtained a license from the State Athletic Commission. 2. Additionally, no promoter may hold or conduct boxing bout…