Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
Muay thai fighting is considered a mixed martial art. Most
commonly known as the "art of eight limbs" All rules stated herein apply to the
combative sport of muay thai fighting with the exception of
15.6.20.1 NMAC
-15.6.20.27 NMAC unless this section conflicts with another rule stated herein.
If a conflict occurs, this section prevails. The sponsoring organization or
promoter must file a copy of the official rules with the commission before it
will approve the holding of the contest or exhibition.
A. Muay thai is form of mixed martial arts
competition in which a person utilizes punches, elbows, and knees. Muay thai
also involves the practicing of pre-fight rituals performed by each contestant
prior to the start of the contest and such rituals must be permitted with a
limit of no more than three minutes per fighter. (The rambuling).
B. It is permissible to strike an opponent's
legs, arms, body, face, and head using the shin, knee, gloved fist or
elbow.
C. Contests will be
scheduled for no more than five rounds, no longer than five minutes with
maximum one minute rest periods. The commission reserves the right to allow
three minute rounds with one minute rest periods.
D. Contestants must wear gloves weighing not
less than eight oz.
E. Ankles may
be taped or wrapped with approved non-metallic athletic medical wrap.
F. Male contestants must wear a foul-proof
groin protector. Female contestants shall wear a sports bra type garment.
Female contestants may use a foul proof breast protector if desired.
G. Spinning back fist blows are allowed, so
long as contact is made only with the padded part of the glove.
H. The following tactics are fouls and may
result in disqualification or the deduction of one or more points, at the
discretion of the referee:
(1) head
butts;
(2) striking a downed
opponent;
(3) kicks, punches or any
strikes to the groin, kidneys or spine;
(4) eye gouging, pricking or pressing or
attacking eyes;
(5) spitting or
biting;
(6) striking the throat
area;
(7) hair pulling;
(8) wrestling or throwing opponent to the
ground;
(9) performing any illegal
holding or wrestling technique not part of muay thai;
(10) holding or stepping on one of the ropes
while fighting, elbowing or striking;
(11) any un-sportsmanlike conduct;
(12) attacking on the break;
(13) attacking after the bell has sounded;
or
(14) throwing in the towel
during competition.
I.
The determination of the winner shall be as follows:
(1) knockout;
(2) technical knockout;
(3) points on judges' scorecards, with at
least two rounds of five-round fights being completed, if both fighters are
injured or counted out, and are unable to continue;
(4) referee stopping a match based upon a
ring physician's advice;
(5)
referee stopping a match when one fighter is outclassing the other;
(6) contestants corner stopping the bout;
or
(7) referee disqualifying a
contestant for a violation of the rules.
J. Weight classes: it is recommended that the
unwritten custom of the one pound allowance for non-title bouts be continued,
but only if provided for in the written bout contract or by regulation:
(1) mini flyweight from: 100 pounds but not
over 105 pounds;
(2) light
flyweight must be over: 105 pounds but not over 108 pounds;
(3) flyweight must be over: 108 pounds but
not over 112 pounds;
(4) super
flyweight must be over: 112 pounds but not over 115 pounds;
(5) bantamweight must be over: 115 pounds but
not over 118 pounds;
(6) super
bantamweight must be over: 118 pounds but not over 122 pounds;
(7) featherweight must be over: 122 pounds
but not over 126 pounds;
(8) super
featherweight must be over: 126 pounds but not over 130 pounds;
(9) lightweight must be over: 130 pounds but
not over 135 pounds;
(10) super
lightweight must be over: 135 pounds but not over 140 pounds;
(11) welterweight must be over: 140 pounds
but not over 147 pounds;
(12) super
welterweight must be over: 147 pounds but not over than 154 pounds;
(13) middleweight must be over: 154 pounds
but not over than 160 pounds;
(14)
super middleweight must be over: 160 pounds but not over than 168
pounds;
(15) light heavyweight must
be over: 168 pounds but not over 175 pounds;
(16) cruiserweight must be over: 175 pounds
but not over than 190 pounds;
(17)
super cruiserweight must be over: 190 pounds but not over 210 pounds;
(18) heavyweight must be over: 210 pounds but
not over 230 pounds;
(19) super
heavyweight 230 pounds and up.
K. No unarmed combatants may engage in a
contest or exhibition, without the approval of the commission or the
commission's representative if the difference in weight between unarmed
combatants exceeds the allowance shown in the following schedule:
(1) up to 118 lbs: not more than three
lbs.;
(2) 118 lbs to 126 lbs not
more than five lbs.;
(3) 126
lbs.-160 lbs: not more than seven lbs.;
(4) 175 lbs.-195 lbs: not more than 12
lbs.;
(5) 195 lbs. and over no
limit.
L. Muay thai
scoring will be on a 10 point must system.
(1)
A round is to be scored as a 10-10 round when both contestants appear to be
fighting evenly and neither contestant shows dominance in a round.
(2) A round is to be scored as a 10-9 round
when a contestant wins by a close but clear margin, landing the greater number
of effective legal strikes and other maneuvers.
(3) A round is to be scored as a 10-8 round
when a contestant wins a round by a wide margin and damages his
opponent.
(4) A round is to be
scored as a 10-7 round when a contestant totally and completely dominates in a
round and damages his opponent.
