Section 0145-03-.11 - RESULTS OF CONTESTSA contest of mixed martial arts may end under the following results:
(1) Submission by: (a) Physical tap out: When a contestant physically uses their body to indicate that he or she no longer wishes to continue;(b) Verbal tap out: When a contestant verbally announces or voluntarily/involuntarily screams in pain or distress to the referee that they do not wish to continue; or(c) Technical Submission: When a legal submission act results in unconsciousness or broken/dislocated bone(s)/joint(s).(2) Technical knockout (TKO): (a) Referee Stoppage: 4. Did Not Answer the Bell.(b) TKO due to Medical Stoppage: 3. Loss of Control of Bodily Function.(3) Knockout (KO) by: (a) Referee Stoppage: the referee stops the contest because the combatant cannot intelligently defend himself or herself: (4) Decision via the scorecards, including: (a) Unanimous decision: When all three (3) judges score the bout for the same contestant;(b) Split decision: When two (2) judges score the bout for one (1) contestant and one (1) judge scores for the opponent;(c) Majority decision: When two (2) judges score the bout for the same contestant and one (1) judge scores a draw or(d) Draw, including: 1. Unanimous draw: When all three (3) judges score the bout a draw;2. Majority draw: When two (2) judges score the bout a draw; or3. Split draw: When all three (3) judges score differently and the score total results in a draw.(5) Technical decision: When a bout is prematurely stopped due to injury from an accidental foul and a contestant is leading on the score cards.(6) Technical draw: When an injury is sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul and the bout is allowed to continue, then later the injury requires stoppage from either a legal or illegal strike to the affected area, if the injured contestant is even or behind on the score cards at the time of stoppage, the decision is a Technical Draw.(7) Disqualification: When an injury sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul is severe enough to terminate the contest, multiple fouls have been assessed, and/or there is flagrant disregard for the rules and/or referee's commands.(9) No contest: When a contestant is prematurely stopped due to accidental injury and no decision can be made via the score cards.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0145-03-.11
Emergency rules 0145-01 through 0145-05 filed November 7, 2008; effective though April 21, 2009. Emergency rule filed April 20, 2009; effective through October 2, 2009. New rule filed March 17, 2009; effective May 31, 2009. Amendments filed July 13, 2023; effective 10/11/2023.Authority: Chapter 1149 of the Public Acts of 2008, § 2; Tennessee Athletic Commission Act of 2016; and T.C.A. §§ 68-115-201 and 68-115-203.