New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII,
Issue 17 / September 9, 2026
This is an
amendment to 15.6.20 NMAC, Sections 8, 9, 11 through 15, 18 through 21 and 23,
effective 09/09/2026.
15.6.20.8 MIXED
MARTIAL ARTS INVOLVING FULL CONTACT: USE OF OFFICIAL RULES; DUTIES OF
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION OR PROMOTER; APPROVAL OF COMMISSION REQUIRED:
A. All full-contact mixed martial arts are forms of unarmed
combat.
B. The provisions pertaining to licenses, fees, dates of programs
and disciplinary action in the laws and regulations on unarmed combat apply to
events of such martial arts.
C. A sanctioned MMA event must consist of a minimum of seven
bouts.
[C. An event, contest or exhibition of
mixed martial arts must be conducted pursuant to the official rules for the
particular form. The sponsoring organization or promoter must submit a copy of
the official rules with the commission before it will be approved to hold the
events.
(1) To ensure the rules submitted for the
particular form get commission approval before the event, the sponsoring
organization or promoter shall submit their rules no later than the last
regularly-scheduled commission meeting before the date of the planned event.
(2) The commission shall review and
examine aforementioned rules, and may question the sponsoring organization or
promoter before voting to approve the rules.]
[15.6.20.8
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 1/15/2015; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.9 Conduct of contests and exhibitions; applicability
of provisions:
A. All events of mixed martial arts must
be conducted under the supervision and authority of the commission.
B. The
referee is the sole arbiter of a bout and is the only individual authorized to
stop a contest.
The authority of a referee begins
when the inspector(s) exit the cage/fence and does not end until the
inspector(s) re-enter the cage/ring, upon the conclusion of the fight.
[B.] C. With prior approval from the commission,
a promoter may request the following special rules for each amateur contest:
(1) no elbow strikes to the head;
(2) no knees to the head;
(3) three minute rounds; or
(4) any other rules deemed appropriate
for the safety and protection of the amateur unarmed combatant.
[15.6.20.9
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.11 DURATION:
A. A non-championship contest or exhibition of mixed
martial arts may last up to five rounds in duration.
B. A championship contest of mixed martial arts must be
five rounds in duration.
C. A period of unarmed combat in a
contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must be three or five minutes in
duration. A period of rest following a
period of unarmed combat in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must
be one minute in duration.
D. No
unarmed combatant shall exceed competing more than five rounds or 25 minutes of
fighting in a 24 hour period.
[15.6.20.11
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.12 Weight classes of unarmed combatants; weight
loss after weigh-in:
A. The classes for
unarmed combatants competing in contests or exhibitions of mixed martial arts
and the weights for each class are shown in the following schedule.
(1) Atom weight up to and
including 105 lbs.
(2) Straw Weight [up] over 105 to 115 lbs.
(3) Flyweight: [up] over 115
to 125 lbs.
(4) Bantamweight:
over 125 to 135 lbs.
(5) Featherweight:
over 135 to 145 lbs.
(6) Lightweight: over 145 to 155 lbs.
(7) Welterweight:
over 155 to 170 lbs.
(8) Middleweight: over 170 to 185 lbs.
(9) Light heavyweight: over 185 to 205 lbs.
(10) Heavyweight: over 205 to 265 lbs.
(11) Super heavyweight: all over 265 lbs.
B. Weight loss of up to two lbs. is allowed. Unarmed combatants have up to one hour to
lose weight. The weight loss described must not occur later than one hour after
the initial weigh-in. Unarmed combatants over weight may be fined, have their license
suspended, and have their license revoked by the commission.
[15.6.20.12
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 1/15/2015; A, 1/30/2024; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.13 PROPER
ATTIRE AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE FOR UNARMED COMBATANTS: An unarmed
combatant competing in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts.
[A. Must wear shorts approved by the
commission or the commission’s representative.
B. May not wear shoes or any padding on
his feet during the contest however tape is allowed with approval of the
commission, to knees, ankles or feet.
C. All male fighters must wear an approved groin protector.
D. All female fighters must.
(1) Wear a sports bra type garment.
(2) Have hair secured in a manner that
does not interfere with the vision or safety of either unarmed combatants.
(3) Use a minimum of cosmetics.]
A. All mixed martial artists will be required to wear such
protective gear as deemed necessary by the Commission.
B. Cage/Ring Attire
(1) Male contestants shall not wear any form of clothing on
their upper body.
(2) Male and female contestants shall wear the appropriate
trunks, mouthpiece, and gloves. Male contestants shall also wear the
appropriate groin protection.
(3) Female
contestants shall wear short sleeved (above the elbow) or sleeveless form
fitting rash guard or sports bra(s). No loose-fitting tops and/or breast
protectors shall be allowed. Female contestants will follow the same
requirements for bottom coverings as the male contestants, minus the
requirement for groin protection.
(4) The
hem of the trunks may not extend below the knee.
(5) Fighting
shorts/trunks shall not have exposed Velcro, pockets or zippers.
(6) Contestants
in the same match, contest, or exhibition may wear different color trunks or be
designated by glove taping or glove coloring in the corner they are assigned.
(7) Contestants
shall not wear shoes in the cage or ring.
(8) When
deemed necessary by the referee all contestant’s shall have their hair secured
in a manner that does not interfere with the vision and safety of either
combatant. No object can be worn to secure the contestant's hair which may
cause injury to either combatant.
(9) The
wearing of jewelry will be strictly prohibited during all contests.
(10) Wearing
body cosmetics shall be prohibited during all contests. Wearing facial cosmetics
shall be at the discretion of the commission or referee.
[E.] (11) All fighters must wear fitted mouthpieces during
competition. The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece. If the
mouthpiece is dislodged during the competition, the referee will call time and
have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment, without interfering
with the immediate action. Points may be deducted by the referee if the referee
feels the mouthpiece is being purposefully spit out.
[F.] (12) The
commission reserves the right to disapprove of any or all uniforms or garments to
be worn.
[G.] C. Gloves.
(1) All gloves must be of a professional
quality and must be approved by the commission or the commission’s
representative. All gloves worn shall
fit the hands of the fighter. Gloves cannot be less than four ounces and not
more than eight ounces.
(2) The make and type of all gloves must
be approved in advance by the commission or the commission’s
representative. Gloves must be put on in
the presence of the deputy inspector and he must approve any tape used on the
gloves.
(3) Gloves
may not be squeezed, manipulated, kneaded, crushed or altered to change the
original shape.
[H.] D. Hand wraps: Hand wraps/bandages are for the
protection of the unarmed combatant’s hands during a contest from injury. All
mixed martial arts contestants shall be required to gauze and tape their hands
prior to all contests.
(1) [In all weight classes, the
bandages on each contestants hand shall be restricted to soft gauze not more than
20 yards in length and no more than two inches in width, held in place by not
more than 10 feet of surgeons adhesive tape, no more than one and one half inch
in width, for each hand]. A maximum of one roll (no more than 2” wide by
15 yards in length) of white, soft, cloth gauze is permitted per hand. The
gauze may not exceed the wrist of the combatant’s glove. The exposed thumb is
an option to be protected.
(2) [The tape may be placed directly
on and may cross the back of the hand twice, but may not extend within
three-fourths of an inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a
fist. The bandages shall be evenly
distributed across the hand. Building of
wraps is prohibited. After gauze has
been applied tape still may not be within three-fourths of an inch of knuckles
when hand is clinched to make a fist.] A maximum of one roll (no more
than 1.25” wide by 10’ in length) of white athletic tape is permitted per hand.
The tape may not exceed the wrist of the combatant’s gloves. Only one strip of
tape between the fingers, not to exceed one quarter inch in width, may be
placed through the fingers but may not cover the knuckles. The exposed thumb is
an option to be protected.
[(3) Only one strip of tape between the
fingers, not to exceed one quarter inch in width, shall be allowed.
(4) Any wrap or tape applied to the hand,
knee, ankle or foot must be approved by the commission representative/inspector,
as well as signed off prior to unarmed combatant entering the cage. All wraps must be applied in the presence of
the commission representative/inspector.
No exceptions.]
(3) A
single layer of elastic or flex-tape is allowed to be applied over the
completed wrap.
(4) Approved
tape/gauze of all brands may be allowed.
(5) Any gauze/tape approved by the
commission representative/inspector once applied to combatant’s hands may not be
altered or tampered with in any way, shape or form to include, but not limited
to the application of: water, plaster, ointments, vaseline and glues to the
hand wraps or bandages.
(6) Either unarmed combatant may waive
his privilege of witnessing the bandaging of his opponent’s hands.
(7) Inspectors or the commission may
request any hand bandages or gloves be removed and reapplied should there be
any doubt regarding the legality of any applications. Any gloves or hand wraps may be confiscated by
the commission for any reason.
[(8) The commission reserves the right to
allow or disallow name brand products on a case by case basis.]
E. Joint/Body
Coverings:
(1) Other
than the combatant’s hands, there will be no taping, covering, or protective
gear, of any kind, on the upper body. This includes, but is not limited to:
joint sleeves, padding, and or any form of brace/body tape.
(2) A
combatant may use a soft neoprene type sleeve to cover only the knee and/or ankle
joints. Approved sleeves may not have: Velcro, plastic, metal, ties, or any
other material considered to be unsafe or that may create an unfair advantage.
Tape, gauze, or any materials other than the approved sleeves are not
permitted.
[I. Unarmed combatants shall not apply
any foreign substance to the hair, body, clothing or gloves immediately prior
to or during a contest or exhibition that could result in an unfair advantage.
(1) Each contestant must be free of
grease or any other foreign substance, including without limitation, grooming
creams, lotions or sprays, colognes, may not be used on the face, hair or body
of a contestant.
(2) The referee or the commission
representative/inspector shall cause any foreign substance to be removed.]
[15.6.20.13
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.14 METHOD
OF JUDGING:
A. [Each judge of a contest or exhibition
of mixed martial arts that is being judged shall score the contest or exhibition
and determine the winner through the use of the following 10 point must system.] All bouts will be evaluated and
scored by a minimum of three judges.
[(1) The better unarmed combatant of a
round receives 10 points and his opponent proportionately less.
(2) If the round is even, each unarmed
combatant receives 10 points.]
(3) No
fraction of points may be given.
(4) Points
for each round must be awarded immediately after the end of the period of
unarmed combat in the round.]
B. After the end of the contest or
exhibition, the announcer shall pick up the scores of the judges from the
commission’s desk.
C. The majority opinion is conclusive. If
there is no majority, the decision is a draw.]
D. When the commission’s representative
has checked the scores, he shall inform the announcer of the decision. The announcer shall inform the audience of
the decision over the speaker system.]
B. The
10-Point Must System will be the standard of scoring a bout. Under the 10-Point
Must Scoring System, 10 points must be awarded to the winner of the round and
nine points or less must be awarded to the loser, except for a rare even round,
which is scored (10-10).
C. All
judges shall comply with and apply the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC)
scoring criteria in the evaluation of mixed martial arts bouts.
D. No fraction of points may be given.
E. Points
for each round must be awarded immediately after the end of the period of
unarmed combat in the round.
F. After the end of the contest or
exhibition, the announcer shall pick up the scores of the judges from the
commission’s desk.
G. When the commission’s representative
has checked the scores, he shall inform the announcer of the decision. The announcer shall inform the audience of
the decision over the speaker system.
[15.6.20.14
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.15 ACTS
CONSTITUTING FOULS: The following acts constitute fouls
in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts:
A. butting with
the head; the head may not be used as a striking
instrument in any fashion. Any use of the head as a striking instrument whether
head to head, head to body or otherwise is illegal.
B. Eye gouging of any kind; eye
gouging by means of fingers, chin, or elbow is illegal. Legal strikes or
punches that contact the fighter’s eye socket are not eye gouging and shall be
considered legal attacks.
C. Biting or spitting at an opponent;
biting in any form is illegal. A fighter must recognize that a referee may not
be able to physically observe some actions and must make the referee aware if
they are being bit during an exhibition of unarmed combat.
D. Hair pulling; pulling of the hair
in any fashion is an illegal action. A fighter may not grab a hold of his
opponent’s hair to control their opponent in any way. If a fighter has long
hair, they may not use their hair as a tool for holding or choking in any
fashion.
E. Fish hooking; any attempt by a fighter
to use their fingers in a manner that attacks their opponent’s mouth, nose or
ears, stretching the skin to that area will be considered “Fish hooking”. Fish
hooking generally is the placing of fingers into the mouth or your opponent and
pulling your hands in opposing directions while holding onto the skin of your
opponent.
F. Groin attacks of any kind; any
attack to the groin area including, striking, grabbing, pinching or twisting is
illegal. It should be clear that groin attacks are the same for men and women.
G. Putting a finger into any orifice or
into any cut or laceration on an opponent; a fighter may not place their
fingers into an open laceration in an attempt to enlarge the cut. A fighter may
not place their fingers into an opponent’s, nose, ears, mouth, or any body
cavity.
H. Small joint manipulation; fingers and toes are small
joints. wrists, ankles, knees, shoulders and elbows are all large joints.
Grabbing the majority of fingers/toes at once is allowed.
I. Striking to the spine or the back of the head;
(1) the back of the head starts at the crown of the head with
a one inch variance to either side, running down the back of the head to the
occipital junction.
(2) This area stretches out at the occipital junction (nape of
the neck) to cover the entire width of the neck. It then travels down the spine
with a one inch variance from the spine’s centerline, including the tailbone.
[J. striking
downward using the point of the elbow;
K.] J. Throat
strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea; no
directed throat strikes are allowed. A directed attack would include a fighter
pulling his opponents head in a way to open the neck area for a striking
attack. A fighter may not gouge their fingers or thumb into their opponent’s
neck or trachea in an attempt to submit their opponent. If during stand-up
action of a fight a strike is thrown and the strike lands in the throat area of
the fighter, this shall be viewed as a clean and legal blow.
[L.] K. clawing,
pinching or twisting the flesh; any attack that targets the fighter’s skin
by clawing at the skin or attempting to pull or twist the skin to apply pain is
illegal.
[M. grabbing
the clavicle;
N.] L. [kicking
the head of a grounded opponent;] Fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s
face/eyes;
[O.] M. kneeing
or kicking the head of a grounded opponent; a grounded fighter is defined
as: A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or
kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet
is in contact with the canvas (ground).
[P.] N. stomping
a grounded opponent;
(1) Stomping is considered any type of striking action with
the feet where the fighter lifts their leg up bending their leg at the knee and
initiating a striking action with the bottom of their foot or heel.
(2) Axe kicks are not stomping. Standing foot stops are NOT a
foul. As such, this foul does not include stomping the feet of a standing
fighter.
[Q. kicking
to the kidney with the heel;
R]. O. spiking
an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck (pile-driving); any
throw with an arc to its motion is to be considered a legal throw. It does not
matter if the opponents head hits the canvas. A pile driver is considered to be
any throw where you control your opponent’s body placing their feet up in the air
with their head straight down and then forcibly drives the opponents head into
the canvas or flooring material. It should be noted when a fighter is placed
into a submission hold by their opponent, if that fighter is capable of
elevating their opponent, they may bring that opponent down in any fashion they
desire because they are not in control of their opponent’s body. The fighter
who is attempting the submission can either adjust their position or let
go of their hold before being slammed to the canvas.
[S.] P. Throwing
an opponent out of the ring or fenced area; a fighter shall not throw their
opponent out of the ring or cage.
[T.] Q. Holding
the shorts or gloves of an opponent; a fighter may not control their
opponent’s movement by holding onto their opponent’s shorts or gloves. A
fighter may hold onto or grab their opponent’s hand as long as they are not
controlling the hand only by using the material of the glove, but by actually
gripping the hand of the opponent. It is legal to hold onto your own gloves or
shorts.
[U. spitting
at an opponent;
V.] R. Engaging
in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent;
[W.] S. [holding]
grabbing or clinching the ropes or the fence with fingers or toes;
a fighter may put their hands on the fence and push off of it at any time. A
fighter may place their feet onto the cage and have their toes go through the fencing
material at any time. When a fighter’s fingers or toes go through the cage and
grab hold of the fence and start to control either their body position or their
opponent’s body position it now becomes an illegal action. A fighter may not
grab the ropes or wrap their arms over or under the ring ropes at any time. The
fighter may not purposely step through the ropes. If a fighter is caught
holding the fence, cage or ring rope material the referee may issue a one-point
deduction from the offending fighters scorecard if the foul caused a
substantial effect in the fight. If a point deduction for holding the fence
occurs, and because of the infraction, the fouling fighter ends up in a
superior position due to the foul, the fighters should be re-started by the
referee, standing in a neutral position.
[X.] T. using
abusive language, or repeated inappropriate hand gestures in the ring or fenced
area; the use of abusive language is not allowed during MMA competition.
It is the sole responsibility of the referee to determine when language or hand
gestures cross over the line to abusive. It should be clear that fighters can
talk during a match. The mere use of auditory language is not a violation of
this rule. Examples of abusive language would be (Racially motivated or
derogatory language).
[Y.] U. attacking
an opponent on or during the break; fighter shall not engage their opponent
in any fashion during a time-out or break of action in competition.
[Z.] V. attacking
an opponent who is under the care of the referee; once the referee has
called for a stop of the action to protect a fighter who has been incapacitated
or is unable to continue to compete in the fight, fighters shall cease all
offensive actions against their opponent.
[AA.] W. attacking
an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat;
the end of a round is signified by the sound of the bell and the call of time
by the referee. Once the referee has made the call of time, any offensive
actions initiated by the fighter shall be considered after the bell and
illegal.
[BB.] X. flagrantly
disregarding the instructions of the referee; a fighter MUST follow the
instructions of the referee at all times. Any deviation or non-compliance may
result in the fighter’s disqualification.
[CC.] Y. timidity,
including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally
or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury; timidity
is defined as any fighter who purposely avoids contact with his opponent or
runs away from the action of the fight. Timidity can also be called by the
referee for any attempt by a fighter to receive time by falsely claiming a
foul, injury, or purposely dropping or spitting out their mouthpiece or other
action designed to stall or delay the action of the fight.
[DD.] Z. Interference by a mixed martial artist’s corner
or second. Inference is defined as any action or activity aimed at disrupting
the fight or causing an unfair advantage to be given to a corner’s combatant.
Corners are not allowed to distract the referee or influence the actions of the
referee in any fashion. A corner entering the cage or ring without the
direction or permission from the referee or officials.
[EE. throwing
in the towel during competition.]
AA. Amatuer’s will follow the above rules except:
(1) Striking downward using the point of the elbow; a vertical
or near-vertical motion, commonly referred to as a 12-to-6 elbow.
(2) Upward kick to the head or neck; a kick in an upward
motion that makes contact with an opponent's head or neck including upward
kicks from the bottom position.
[15.6.20.15
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.18 RESULTS
OF CONTEST: A contest of mixed martial arts may
end under the following results.
A. Knockout (KO): as soon as a fighter becomes unconscious due
to strikes, his opponent is declared the winner (because MMA rules allow ground
fighting, the fight is stopped to prevent further injury to an unconscious
fighter).
B. Submission: a fighter may admit defeat during a match
by:
(1) tapping [three times] on his
opponent’s body;
(2) tapping [three times] on the
mat or floor; or
(3) verbal
announcement.
C. Technical knockout (TKO).
(1) Referee
stoppage: the referee may stop a match in progress if:
(a) a
fighter becomes dominant to the point where the opponent is unable to
intelligently defend himself from attacks (this may occur as quickly as a few
seconds);
(b) a
fighter appears to be unconscious from a grappling hold; or
(c) a
fighter appears to have developed significant injuries (such as a broken bone)
in the referee’s view.
(2) Doctor
stoppage: the referee will call for a time out if a fighter’s ability to
continue is in question as a result of apparent injuries (such as a large
cut). The ring doctor will inspect the
fighter and stop the match if the fighter is deemed unable to continue safely,
rendering the opponent the winner.
However, if the match is stopped as a result of an injury from illegal
actions by the opponent, either a disqualification or no contest will be issued
instead. In order to avoid doctor stoppages, fighters employ cut men, whose job
is to treat cuts and hematomas between rounds to prevent them from becoming
significant enough to cause a doctor stoppage.
D. Decision: if the match goes the distance, then the
outcome of the bout is determined by three judges. The judging criteria are
organization-specific via the scorecards, including:
(1) unanimous
decision;
(2) split
decision;
(3) majority
decision;
(4) draw;
or
(5) technical
decision.
E. Forfeit: a fighter or his representative may forfeit a
match prior to the beginning of the match, thereby losing the match.
F. Disqualification: a “warning” will be given when a fighter
commits a foul or illegal action or does not follow the referee’s
instruction. Three warnings will result
in disqualification. Moreover, if a
fighter is injured and unable to continue due to a deliberate illegal technique
from his opponent, the opponent will be disqualified.
G. No Contest: in the event that both fighters commit a
violation of the rules, or a fighter is unable to continue due to an injury
from an accidental illegal technique, the match will be declared a “no
contest”.
[15.6.20.18 NMAC
- N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]]
15.6.20.19 CERTAIN RULES APPLICABLE:
A. There may be
three licensed cornermen for all non-title fights or four for a title fight,
positioned in a designated area by a cage or fenced area or positioned in each
corner.
B. Two cornermen
may enter the cage or fenced area to tend a fighter between rounds and at the
end of the fight. At no time will more
than two cornermen be allowed in the cage with the fighter, if a cut man is
being utilized then only one cornermen will be allowed in the cage with the
fighter. Cut man counts as a cornerman during the bout
C. Any person
violating any rule working the corner may be disqualified for the remainder of
the event and may be suspended.
D. Weigh
in rules meeting shall be conducted before or immediately following the
weigh-in of contestants to communicate certain rules and procedures for the
event, not limited to such things as hand wraps, arrival times, garments, or
uniforms.
E. Pre-fight rules meeting shall be held in both a group setting, where
rules are reviewed by referees contracted, as well as any individual question
and answer sessions as needed, per fighter.
F. Arrival and reporting requirements for contestants
(1) Non-main event contestants shall report to their designated dressing
room no later than one hour prior to the commencement of the first scheduled
contest.
(2) Main event contestants shall report in person to the promoter in the
event city not less then 24 hours before the scheduled contest. If deemed
necessary by the commission, contestants shall complete training within the
host city for a period determined by the commission.
(3) On event day, main event contestants shall report to the contest venue
no later than one hour prior to the first scheduled contest and remain in their
assigned dressing rooms until directed to the ring by cage/ring by the
commission representative.
G. There shall be at least one physician in attendance at ringside at all
times. In addition, at least the following officials shall be present at each
boxing contest:
(1) Two
referees.
(2) Three
judges.
(3) One
timekeeper.
(4) One
announcer.
H. The
reapplication of petroleum jelly or another similar substance, may be allowed
between rounds and shall only be applied by an approved cut man or licensed
cornermen, all other foreign substances are not allowed.
I. In the
case of laceration, the topical use and application of the following approved
medicines is allowed, and all
other solutions are prohibited:
(1) Solution
of adrenaline 1/1000.
(2) Avitene.
(3) Thrombin.
J. Prohibited
activities:
(1) Excessive
spraying of water on contestant.
(2) Conflict
of interest – General provisions: Promoters, their employees, and matchmakers
are prohibited from coaching or advising contestants during any contest.
Officials, directors, matchmakers, or stockholders of a promoting entity shall
not officiate or interfere in any contest conducted by that entity. No commission
official, employee, medical representative, judge, or referee, shall directly
or indirectly, hold any financial interest in a contestant, promoting
corporation, or in any manager’s contract or assignment thereof.
[15.6.20.19
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 1/30/2024; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.20 MUAY
THAI FIGHTING: Muay thai fighting is considered a
mixed martial art. Most commonly known
as the “art of eight limbs” All rules stated herein apply to the combative
sport of muay thai fighting with the exception of 15.6.20.1 NMAC -15.6.20.27
NMAC unless this section conflicts with another rule stated herein. If a conflict occurs, this section
prevails. The sponsoring organization or
promoter must file a copy of the official rules with the commission before it
will approve the holding of the contest or exhibition.
A. Muay thai is form of mixed martial
arts competition in which a person utilizes punches, elbows, and knees. Muay
thai also involves the practicing of pre-fight rituals performed by each
contestant prior to the start of the contest and such rituals must be permitted
with a limit of no more than three minutes per fighter. (The rambuling).
(1) The referee is the sole arbiter of the bout. The referee or
the ringside physician are the only individuals authorized to stop the contest,
as determined by the presiding commission. This rule shall not preclude a video
or other review of a decision under the procedures of the applicable regulatory
authority if a protest is filed claiming a clear rule violation.
(2) The authority of a referee begins
when the inspector(s) exit the cage/ring and does not end until the
inspector(s) re-enter the cage/ring, upon the conclusion of the bout.
B. It is
permissible to strike an opponent’s legs, arms, body, face, and head using the
shin, knee, gloved fist or elbow.
C. Contests will be
scheduled for no more than five rounds, no longer than five minutes with
maximum one minute rest periods. The commission
reserves the right to allow three minute rounds with one minute rest periods.
D. Contestants must
wear gloves weighing not less than eight [oz] ounces.
E. Ankles may be
taped or wrapped with approved non-metallic athletic medical wrap.
F. Male contestants
must wear a foul-proof groin protector. Female contestants shall wear a sports
bra type garment. Female contestants may
use a foul proof breast protector if desired.
G. Spinning back fist
blows are allowed, so long as contact is made only with the padded part of the
glove.
H. The following
tactics are fouls and may result in disqualification or the deduction of one or
more points, at the discretion of the referee:
(1) head
butts;
(2) striking
a downed opponent;
(3) kicks,
punches or any strikes to the groin, kidneys or spine;
(4) eye
gouging, pricking or pressing or attacking eyes;
(5) spitting
or biting;
(6) striking
the throat area;
(7) hair
pulling;
(8) wrestling
or throwing opponent to the ground;
(9) performing
any illegal holding or wrestling technique not part of muay thai;
(10) holding
or stepping on one of the ropes while fighting, elbowing or striking;
(11) any
un-sportsmanlike conduct;
(12) attacking
on the break;
(13) attacking
after the bell has sounded; or
(14) throwing
in the towel during competition.
I. The
determination of the winner shall be as follows:
(1) knockout;
(2) technical
knockout;
(3) points
on judges’ scorecards, with at least two rounds of five-round fights being
completed, if both fighters are injured or counted out, and are unable to
continue;
(4) referee
stopping a match based upon a ring physician’s advice;
(5) referee
stopping a match when one fighter is outclassing the other;
(6) contestants
corner stopping the bout; or
(7) referee
disqualifying a contestant for a violation of the rules.
J. Weight classes:
it is recommended that the unwritten custom of the one pound allowance for
non-title bouts be continued, but only if provided for in the written bout
contract or by regulation:
(1) mini
flyweight from: 100 pounds but not over 105 pounds;
(2) light
flyweight must be over: 105 pounds but not over 108 pounds;
(3) flyweight
must be over: 108 pounds but not over 112 pounds;
(4) super
flyweight must be over: 112 pounds but not over 115 pounds;
(5) bantamweight
must be over: 115 pounds but not over 118 pounds;
(6) super
bantamweight must be over: 118 pounds but not over 122 pounds;
(7) featherweight
must be over: 122 pounds but not over 126 pounds;
(8) super
featherweight must be over: 126 pounds but not over 130 pounds;
(9) lightweight
must be over: 130 pounds but not over 135 pounds;
(10) super
lightweight must be over: 135 pounds but not over 140 pounds;
(11) welterweight
must be over: 140 pounds but not over 147 pounds;
(12) super
welterweight must be over: 147 pounds but not over than 154 pounds;
(13) middleweight
must be over: 154 pounds but not over than 160 pounds;
(14) super
middleweight must be over: 160 pounds but not over than 168 pounds;
(15) light
heavyweight must be over: 168 pounds but not over 175 pounds;
(16) cruiserweight
must be over: 175 pounds but not over than 190 pounds;
(17) super
cruiserweight must be over: 190 pounds but not over 210 pounds;
(18) heavyweight
must be over: 210 pounds but not over 230 pounds;
(19) super
heavyweight 230 pounds and up.
K. No unarmed combatants may engage in a contest or
exhibition, without the approval of the commission or the commission’s
representative if the difference in weight between unarmed combatants exceeds
the allowance shown in the following schedule:
(1) up
to 118 lbs: not more than three lbs.;
(2) 118
lbs to 126 lbs not more than five lbs.;
(3) 126
lbs.-160 lbs: not more than seven lbs.;
(4) 175
lbs.-195 lbs: not more than 12 lbs.;
(5) 195
lbs. and over no limit.
L. Muay thai scoring will be on a 10 point must
system.
(1) A
round is to be scored as a 10-10 round when both contestants appear to be
fighting evenly and neither contestant shows dominance in a round.
(2) A
round is to be scored as a 10-9 round when a contestant wins by a close but
clear margin, landing the greater number of effective legal strikes and other
maneuvers.
(3) A
round is to be scored as a 10-8 round when a contestant wins a round by a wide
margin and damages his opponent.
(4) A
round is to be scored as a 10-7 round when a contestant totally and completely
dominates in a round and damages his opponent.
[15.6.20.20
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.21 MUAY
THAI FOULS:
A. Direct kicks (side kick style) to the front of the
fighter’s legs.
B. Hip throws:
(1) over the hip throws such as in Japanese arts like judo,
jujitsu, karate, sambo, or san shou;
(2) a fighter is not allowed to step across or in front of an
opponent’s leg with his own leg and bring the opponent over [his/her] his
hip;
(3) a fighter is not allowed to twist and pull an opponent over
the side of [his/her] his body and then land on top;
(4) it is an intentional foul when a fighter plans, with the
sole intention of falling on top of his opponent, to either strike with the
knee or to intentionally hurt the opponent while down, by contriving to make it
look like an accident; or
(5) stepping on a fallen opponent.
C. Trips. The leg must clear immediately after the opponent is pulled
or tripped over the knee. Clear means that the leg must be moved out of the way
before the opponent hits the canvas by skipping the leg or slightly jumping to
the side, as long as it is moved from the original position. Taking out an
opponent’s footing is legal only if the tripping leg is withdrawn from contact
as [he/she] he falls to the ground. The following shall be illegal trips:
(1) if a fighter positions a foot next to the opponent and
twists [him/her] him over the leg, it is an illegal trip unless
the leg is cleared as the opponent falls;
(2) if a fighter spins or pulls the opponent over the inside or
outside of the leg and dumps him/her on the ground, it is an illegal trip when
the leg being used to manipulate and dump the opponent stays in that position
as he/she goes down; or
(3) if the leg is set and stays in that position, it is an
illegal throw or trip.
D. Neck wrestling:
(1) if in a clinch with arms around each other’s shoulder, such
as to deliver or defend from an elbow
strike, twisting the opponent using
the upper body in such a way that [he/she] he will fall to the
ground is allowed;
(2) by using neck and shoulder manipulation, it is legal for a
fighter to spin and throw/dump an opponent to the canvas without using any part
of [his/her] his body as a barrier.
E. Lifting: It is
illegal in any way to lift an opponent off the ground and throw the opponent on
the canvas.
F. Hand wraps:
Unless otherwise specified, hand wraps are subject to the same provisions as in
15.6.20.13 NMAC with the exception that under no circumstances is ‘topping up’
allowed. New hand wraps shall be applied using soft gauze and tape at each
fight, and the commission reserves the right to confiscate any hand wraps
applied at the end of each contest.
[15.6.20.21
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]
15.6.20.23 REPORTING RESULTS: All results of all fights shall be reported to the [fightfax.com,
mixedmartialarts.com] Combat Registry, BoxRec, or any other national
or industry recognized by the New Mexico athletic commission. Results must be
reported within 72 hours of the event.
[15.6.20.23
NMAC - N, 8/26/2012; A, 09/09/2026]