PRE-FIGHT REGULATIONS

EXAMINATION OF FIGHTERS

Any fighter applying for eligibility to compete in an ISKA event must be examined by a physician certified by
the ISKA, to establish both physical and mental fitness for competition.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

Male fighters will compete in nine weight classes:

• Flyweight (124.9 lbs and less)
• Featherweight (125 lbs - 134.9 lbs)
• Bantamweight (135 lbs - 144.9 lbs)
• Lightweight (145 lbs - 154.9 lbs)
• Welterweight (155 lbs - 169.9 lbs)
• Middleweight (170 lbs - 184.9 lbs)
• Light-Heavyweight (185 lbs.-204.9 lbs)
• Heavyweight (205 lbs - 234.9 lbs)
• Super Heavyweight (235 lbs and up)

Female fighters will compete in five weight classes:

• Lightweight (124.9 lbs and less)
• Middleweight (125 lbs - 134.9 lbs)
• Light-Heavyweight (135 lbs - 149.9 lbs)
• Heavyweight (150 lbs - 174.9 lbs)
• Super Heavyweight (175 lbs and up).

These weight divisions may be modified upon express written permission by the ISKA

WEIGHT TIME

Fighters will be weighed on or before the day of the match, at a time to be determined by the ISKA, on scales
approved by the ISKA. All weights stripped.

MAKING WEIGHT - TITLE BOUTS

Weigh-ins may be scheduled for the night before or the day of the event at a time approved by the ISKA
representative.
In title bouts if a fighter cannot make weight at the prescribed time, he will be allowed to weigh a second
time, two hours later, at a place designated by the ISKA Representative. If the fighter fails to make weight
at this second weigh-in, and these weigh-ins occur the day before the bout, he may weigh again, no sooner
than eight hours before the start time of the event on the day of the bout; that is, should the fighter fail to
make weight at the original time, and fails to make weight two hours later, he may weigh again no sooner
than noontime the next day, if the event is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm.
If the official weigh-in is scheduled the day of the bout, the fighter not making weight will be weighed again
two hours later. If he still does not make weight, then he may attempt a final weight-in two hours before the
start of the event. In other words, if the fighter cannot make weight at the originally scheduled time, and
cannot make weight two hours later, he will not be weighed again until two hours before the start time of
the event. In this case, if the event is to start at 8:00 pm, his final official weigh-in should be at 6:00 pm.
If a fighter cannot make weight at the final “official” weigh-in and that fighter is the champion, the title will
be declared vacant and the bout will ensue. Should the challenger win the bout, he will become champion. In
the event the former champion wins the bout the title will be declared vacant, and a run off for the title will
be established, according to the rules of the ISKA. If the fighter who cannot make weight is the challenger,
the bout will proceed as scheduled; however, should the challenger win the bout, the title will be declared
vacant, and a run off will be established, according to the rules of the ISKA.
Any exception to these rules regarding weight-making in title bouts requires the approval of the ISKA
Commissioner.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT LOSS

The maximum amount of weight a fighter will be allowed to lose, during any period of time within 32 hours
before the start time of the event, is 4% of that fighter’s weight at his initial weigh-in. For example, if a
fighter weighs-in at 175 lbs., at noontime the day before the event, but is overweight according to his
contract, the ISKA Representative will calculate his maximum allowable weight loss as 4% of 175 lbs., or 7
lbs. (175 * .04 = 7), and that 7 lbs., will be the maximum that fighter will be allowed to lose before the start
time of the event.
If the maximum allowable weight loss fails to bring a fighter within the permissible weight spread, that
fighter will be declared ineligible to compete in his scheduled bout, and will be subject to the penalties as
described in Rule 11 below.

MINIMUM AGE OF FIGHTERS

No fighter shall participate in an ISKA MMA event, if he is less than 18 years of age.
All fighters seeking eligibility to compete in an ISKA event must provide proof of age, such as a notarized
copy of their birth certificate, or a government issued form of identification.

FIGHTERS MUST REPORT

All fighters, or representative second, must attend the pre-fight meeting held by the ISKA Representative.
This meeting will typically be following the weigh-in, or during the afternoon before the event. In addition,
fighters will be required to report for physicals, and to their dressing rooms, at the time specified by the
ISKA Representative. Failure to do so will result in fines as per the ISKA fine schedule, and possibly result in
the fighter being dropped from the event. All fines will be retained by the ISKA.
All fighters, once they report to the ISKA Representative or the Athletic Inspector in charge of dressing
rooms immediately prior to the start of an event, are not to leave the facility, and are subject to urinalysis
and fines, if they do not remain in approved areas.

FIGHTERS’ APPEARANCE

All fighters must be clean and present a tidy appearance. Only Vaseline may be applied lightly, and only to
the face of a fighter. No other product may be permitted. Fingernails and toenails must be well trimmed.

FIGHTERS DISQUALIFIED OR DECLARED INELIGIBLE

Fighters who are declared ineligible for their bouts due to excessive weight, misrepresented age, physical
incapacity’s pre-known to the fighter, or other willful violation of ISKA regulations, will be subject to fines
and suspension by the ISKA Commissioner. Unless otherwise specified in the fighter’s contract, the promoter
will have no obligation to the ineligible fighters, and may demand reimbursement from the fighter for any
expenses pre-paid by the promoter. The promoter will, however, be obligated to pay the expenses of the
opposing fighter who presents himself properly, plus any cancellation settlements if provided for in that
fighters contract.
Fighters who are disqualified during their bout for willful gross rule violations, or unprofessional
performance, or who represent themselves improperly following their bout, may be subject to the same
penalties, at the discretion of the ISKA Representative, with the approval of the ISKA Commissioner.

FIGHTERS AND/OR TRAINERS ON SUSPENSION

Fighters and or Trainers who are on disciplinary suspension may not participate in any function of a match
for the duration of the suspension. They may not be in the locker room or at ringside in any role or capacity.

FIGHTERS: EQUIPMENT AND SECONDS

APPAREL

Apparel approved by the ISKA Representative must be worn by all fighters upon entering the ring. Any
fighter presenting themselves in attire deemed inappropriate may be fined by the ISKA Representative, and
will not compete in their bout until they present themselves according to regulations.
No shoes, No shirts for male contestants, No metal zippers on shorts, No rings, jewelry, or items other than
those authorized may be worn.

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

GLOVES - STANDARD SPECIFICATION (minimum of 7 oz.)

All gloves must be of a professional quality and must be approved by the ISKA Representative. All gloves
must be made so as to fit the hands of any fighter whose hands may be unusual in size. The make and type
of all gloves must be approved in advance by the ISKA Representative. All gloves will be provided by the
promoter in red and blue (or distinguished with red and blue tape) and distributed to the fighters according
to their assigned corner color. The referee must inspect and approve any tape used on the gloves. If the
gloves have been used previously, they must be whole, clean and subject to inspection by the referee or by
the ISKA Representative as to condition. If found imperfect, they shall be changed before the bout starts. No
breaking, roughing, or twisting of gloves shall be permitted.

HAND AND FOOT/ANKLE WRAPPINGS

The wrapping of hands is allowed according to the following specifications: Fighters who wish to wrap their
hands shall be responsible for their own gauze and tape. Gauze shall be of the soft or soft-stretch type, and
shall not exceed 2 inches in width. Tape shall be of the soft adhesive type and shall not exceed 1.5 inches in
width. One ten yard roll of gauze, and not more than two yards of tape, are the maximum allowable
amounts for each hand. No other materials, including pre-made hand wraps, shall be allowed; nor shall any
amounts exceeding those listed be allowed under any circumstances. Gauze shall be for the protection of
the hand only, and the amount shall be the discretion of the ISKA Representative. Tape shall be present only
to hold the gauze in place, and no more than one layer of tape be allowed on the striking surface of the hand
and only 1 strip between the fingers not to exceed 1/4 in width and 4" in length.
The wrapping of feet/ankles is not mandatory. Fighters who wish to wrap their feet/ankles shall be
responsible for their own gauze and tape or may use an approved neoprene ankle brace. Gauze shall be of
the soft or soft-stretch type, and shall not exceed 2” in width. Tape shall be of the soft adhesive type and
shall not exceed 1.5” in width. Up to 6’ of tape may be used to wrap each foot and ankle.
The use of footgear is prohibited.
The ISKA Representative, or his designee, must inspect all hand and foot/ankle wrappings.

GROIN PROTECTORS

All male fighters are required to wear an approved groin protector. A plastic cup with an athletic supporter is
adequate.

MOUTHPIECE

All fighters must wear fitted mouthpieces. All fighters are required to have an extra mouthpiece ringside
during their match.

NUMBER OF SECONDS AND THEIR APPEARANCE.

Each fighter may have up to three seconds of his choice and each second, while assisting the fighter must
wear an ISKA approved uniform (subject to the approval of the ISKA Representative), must present a neat
and tidy appearance, provide a pail, tape, water bottle and other equipment necessary to perform his
function. Seconds may not sit, stand on, lean on or touch the ring/cage apron during the course of the bout,
nor otherwise interfere physically or verbally with the bout or the duties of the officials. Seconds must
remain in designated areas assigned to them by the ISKA Representative during the bout. The ISKA
Representative may levy fines and/or disqualification of the fighter for improper and unprofessional conduct
by the seconds. 4. THROWING IN THE TOWEL A manager or chief second may toss a towel into the ring in token of the defeat of his principal.

CONDUCT OF BOUTS

DURATION OF BOUTS

Rounds may be scheduled from three minutes to four minutes. Novice fighters (five bouts or less) are
limited to three minute rounds. Promoters may apply to have fighters with more than five bouts, fight four
minute rounds.
Non-title bouts will be scheduled for three rounds. Title bouts may be scheduled for four rounds.
Rest periods may be schedule from One (1) to One and a half (1.5) minutes between rounds.
The fight continues until one fighter submits, his corner throws in the towel, the referee stops the fight or
the doctor stops the contest, or the time limit of the rounds expires. The time runs continuously and may be
called or stopped only by the referee in special cases, such as equipment malfunction or commitment of a
foul.

REFEREE INSTRUCTION

The referee will, before starting a bout, ascertain from each fighter the name of his chief handler and will
hold said chief handler responsible for the conduct of his assistant handler(s) during the progress of a bout.
Immediately before the bout commences, the referee will call the fighters to the center of the ring and
address them for the final time before the bout commences. The fighters will then return to their corner and
wait for the referee’s command to begin. The referee will signal the timekeeper and the bout will commence.
The referee will supervise the action of the bout insuring that it is conducted adhering to all of the safety and
fairness rules, regulations and policies.

AUTHORIZED OFFENSIVE TECHNIQUES

• LEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE STANDING
• Closed hand strikes to the head and body
• Kicking to the head, body and legs
• Knees to body and legs
• Throws/Take downs/Sweeps
• Standing Submissions
• Chokes
• Arm bars and locks
• Shouldering
• LEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE ON THE GROUND
• Closed hand strikes to head, body and legs
• Submissions (chokes, arm bars/locks, straight leg locks ONLY)
• ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE STANDING (FOULS)
• Elbows to head
• Knees to head
• Linear Kicks to knees
• Stomps on feet
• Groin strikes
• Intentionally Hitting back of head
• Spine or kidney strikes
• Excessive Slamming (moving forward once an opponent is elevated in order to create more
  damage from the takedown)
• Throws onto head or neck (spiking)
• Throws against a joint
• Throwing out of competition area
• Neck cranks (turning the neck)
• Holding ropes or cage
• Pinching, biting, gouging, and anything that might be considered "dirty fighting"
• fish hooking
• Grabbing or holding the uniform or protective padding
• ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE ON GROUND (FOULS)
• Elbow strikes to head
• Neck cranks (twisting the neck)
• Heel hooks
• Finger locks
• Toe locks
• Choking with hand on throat
• Smothering (hand over mouth)
• Spine locks
• Hammer locks
• Fish hooks
• Groin strikes
• Spine strikes
• Throwing out of competition area
• Pinching, biting, gouging, and anything that might be considered "dirty fighting"
• Grabbing or holding the uniform or protective padding

TYPES OF BOUT RESULTS:

Submission by:

Tap Out

Verbal tap out

TKO by:

Referee stops bout

Ringside Physician stops bout

Corner stops bout

KO by:

Failure to rise from the canvas

Decision via score cards:

Unanimous - When all three judges score the bout for the same contestant.

Split Decision - When two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent.

Majority - When two judges score the bout for the same contestant and one judge scores a draw.

Draw - Unanimous - When all three judges score the bout a draw

Majority - When two judges score the bout a draw

Split - When all three judges score differently
Disqualification
Forfeit
Technical Draw
Technical Decision
No Contest

SCORING SYSTEM

Using the 10-Point Must Scoring System, Judges are required to determine a winner of a bout that ends after
the initial scheduled number of rounds have been completed. 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).