New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 19 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Chapter VII - State Athletic Commission
Part 212 - Special Rules for the Conduct of Professional Mixed Martial Arts
Section 212.6 - Physical appearance of combatants
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a) Each contestant shall present a clean appearance.
(b) The use of grease or any other foreign substance, including grooming creams, lotions or sprays, may not be used on the hair or any portion of the body of a contestant. The use of excessive amounts of water on the hair or any portion of the body is also prohibited. The referee or the Commission will cause any excessive water, or grease or foreign substance to be removed. A light coating of petroleum jelly is permitted on the face (forehead and cheekbones only) and must be applied at cage side or ring side in the presence of the referee andthe Commission. This coating is at the discretion of the referee and the Commission.
(c) The Commission will determine whether head or facial hair presents a hazard to the safety of the contestant or the opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition. If the head or facial hair of a contestant presents a hazard or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition, the contestant may not participate in the contest or exhibition unless the circumstances creating the hazard or potential interference are corrected to the satisfaction of the Commission. Without limiting the standard in this subsection, head hair must be trimmed or tied back in a manner that it will not interfere with the vision of either contestant or cover any part of a contestant's face.
(d) Contestants may not wear any jewelry or other piercing accessories while competing.
(e) Taping of the hands, wrists and ankles are permitted at the discretion of the Commission.
(f) Finger and toe nails must be trimmed.
