Code of Massachusetts Regulations
523 CMR - STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION (FORMERLY, STATE BOXING COMMISSION)
Title 523 CMR 12.00 - Facilities, Equipment, And Supplies
Section 12.09 - Requirements for Mixed Martial Arts Ring or Fenced Area

(a) The ring must be no smaller than 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the ropes.

(b) The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges must not be used.

(c) The ring platform must not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the unarmed combatants.

(d) Ring posts must be made of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes.

(e) There must be five ring ropes, not less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material. The lowest ring rope must be 12 inches above the ring floor.

(f) There must not be any obstruction or object, including, without limitation, a triangular border, on any part of the ring floor.

(a) There must be a minimum of 24 inches from the edge of the bottom rope to the apron edge.

(b) If two triangular borders are being used, both triangular borders must be placed on the same side of the ring.

(c) The dimensions of a triangular border may not be more than five inches in height or more than 48 inches in length.

(d) The seats immediately behind a triangular border must be raised from the arena floor by an amount equal to the height of the triangular border.

(e) A triangular border must be placed at the outermost edge of the apron and secured to the apron floor by Velcro or a similar fastener.

(f) A triangular border must be removed immediately upon the request of a representative of the Commission.

(g) The promoter must provide the Commission with a letter from the site of the program of unarmed combat stating that the site has no objection to the use of triangular borders.