N.M. Admin. Code § 15.6.20.18

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

Section 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".

N.M. Admin. Code § 15.6.20.18

15.6.20.18 NMAC - N, 08-26-2012