Chapter 444 — REGULATION OF UNARMED COMBAT SPORTS

444.01 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Amateur boxing contest” means a boxing contest or exhibition in which none of the boxers are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition. (1g) “Amateur unarmed combat sports contest” means a contest or exhibition of unarmed…

444.02 Licenses and permits. (1) The department shall have the sole direction, management, and control of, and jurisdiction over, all professional contests and all amateur unarmed combat sports contests conducted within the state by any promoter or club. No club or promoter may c…

444.03 Application for license; fee. No professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest may be conducted by any promoter or club except by license granted to it by the department. An application for a license shall be in writing, addressed to the department, and ver…

444.035 Bond. The department shall by rule require a promoter or club conducting a professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest to post a bond or other surety in a reasonable amount determined by the department to ensure payment of the promoter’s or club’s expens…

444.04 Promoter and club reports. Within 2 business days after a promoter or club holds a professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest, the club shall furnish to the department a written report, verified by the promoter or by one of the club’s officers under pena…

444.05 Amateur boxing contests. A person may conduct an amateur boxing contest in this state only if the contest is sanctioned by and conducted under the rules of the national governing body for amateur boxing that is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee under 36 USC 220521. …

444.06 Inspectors. The department shall appoint official inspectors, each of whom shall receive a card authorizing the inspector to act wherever the department designates. The department may be, and at least one inspector shall be present at all professional contests and all amat…

444.09 Conduct of boxing contests regulated. (1) No professional boxing contest shall be for more than 12 rounds, and no round shall last more than 3 minutes. (2) There shall be one minute intermission between rounds of professional boxing contests. (3) Gloves weighing not less t…

444.095 Conduct of unarmed combat sports contests regulated. (1) No individual may be a contestant in an amateur unarmed combat sports contest unless the individual can provide evidence that he or she is covered by adequate health insurance. (2) No promoter or club may conduct an…

444.10 Physician to examine professional boxing contestants. Prior to entering the ring, each contestant in a professional boxing contest must be examined by a physician who has been licensed to practice in Wisconsin not less than 5 years and who is appointed by the department an…

444.11 Licenses to matchmakers, referees, contestants, etc. The department may grant licenses upon application and the payment of the prescribed fees to matchmakers, managers, referees, boxers, unarmed combat sports contestants, seconds, and timekeepers in professional contests a…

444.12 Referee to stop contest. The referee shall stop a professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest when either of the contestants shows a marked superiority or is apparently outclassed. The referee shall be the sole arbiter of the contest and may consult a phy…

444.13 Sham contests, license revoked. Any promoter or club that conducts, holds, gives, or participates in any sham or fake professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest shall forfeit its license. That license shall be revoked by the May 22, 2026, are designated …

444.14 Sham contests; contestants penalized; forfeitures; hearing. The department shall ban a contestant who participates in any sham or fake professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest or violates any rule promulgated by the department, and may require the cont…

444.15 Reports; examination of books and officers. Whenever any promoter or club fails to make a report of any professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest at the time prescribed or whenever a report is unsatisfactory to the department, the secretary may examine …

444.16 Violation, when a misdemeanor. (1) A violation of any provision of this chapter, for which a penalty is not herein expressly prescribed, is a misdemeanor. (2) In addition to any other remedies, the several district attorneys or the attorney general are authorized to bring …

444.18 Insurance on certain contestants. Any licensee authorized to conduct professional contests or amateur unarmed combat sports contests shall insure each contestant participating for hospital, nursing, and medication expenses and physician’s and surgeon’s services according t…

444.19 Fee adjustments by rule. Notwithstanding ss. 444.02 (3), 444.03, 444.06, and 444.11, the department may by rule adjust the fees under this chapter to account for changes in the department’s costs in administering and enforcing this chapter. History: 2009 a. 111.

444.22 Rules. The department may promulgate any rules necessary to implement and enforce this chapter. History: 2015 a. 277. May 22, 2026, are designated by NOTES. (Published 5-22-26)