The initial champion in each weight class shall be named by the Commission based upon a recommendation of the ranking panel in a manner described in 523 CMR 22.04 through 22.06. The combatant may not take possession of the championship belt unless they win it in an actual bout against a mandatory challenger. The Commission may elect not to name a champion in a particular weight class if it is determined that the class of combatant competing in that division is inadequate to determine a meaningful champion. In the event that no champion is named, the Commission may designate the top two combatants in that division as mandatory challengers for each other.
523 CMR 22.10