Arizona MMA Rules
Arizona Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts Commission
Amateur: Arizona Amateur MMA Rules
Effective September 14, 2024
- Rounds and round length Required Amateur MMA bouts are three rounds of three minutes each.
- Rest between rounds Required Fighters get one minute of rest between rounds.
- Elbow strikes Conditional Amateurs may not elbow the head of a grounded opponent, and downward 12-to-6 elbows are a foul at every level. An opponent is grounded when any part of the body other than the soles of the feet and a single hand touches the floor; a single knee or arm on the floor counts.
- Twisting leg submissions Prohibited Twisting leg submissions are not allowed for amateurs. The rules do not list which techniques count as twisting leg submissions.
- Linear kicks to the knee Prohibited Linear kicks to the knee joint are not allowed for amateurs.
- Foot stomps Prohibited Foot stomps are not allowed for amateurs.
- Stomping a grounded opponent Prohibited Stomping a grounded opponent is a foul. An opponent is grounded when any part of the body other than the soles of the feet and a single hand touches the floor; a single knee or arm on the floor counts.
- Strikes to the back of the head or spine Prohibited Strikes to the spine, the back of the head, or the base of the skull are fouls.
- Kicks and knees to a grounded opponent's head Prohibited Kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent is a foul. An opponent is grounded when any part of the body other than the soles of the feet and a single hand touches the floor; a single knee or arm on the floor counts.
- Headbutts Prohibited Headbutts are fouls.
- Groin attacks Prohibited Groin attacks of any kind are fouls.
- Throat strikes Prohibited Throat strikes of any kind are fouls.
- Heel kicks to the kidney Prohibited Heel kicks to the kidney are fouls.
- Eye gouging Prohibited Eye gouging is a foul.
- Fish hooking and fingers in orifices Prohibited Fish hooking, and intentionally putting a finger in any of an opponent's orifices, are fouls.
- Biting and spitting Prohibited Biting and spitting are fouls.
- Hair pulling Prohibited Hair pulling is a foul.
- Clawing, pinching, and grabbing the clavicle Prohibited Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh, and grabbing the clavicle are fouls.
- Small-joint manipulation Prohibited Small-joint manipulation is a foul.
- Spiking onto the head or neck Prohibited Spiking an opponent onto the canvas on their head or neck is a foul.
- Grabbing the fence, shorts, or gloves Prohibited Holding or grabbing the fence, or an opponent's shorts or gloves, is a foul. The first instance draws a warning; after that it is penalized.
- Stalling and timidity Prohibited Avoiding contact, intentionally falling down, faking an injury, stalling, refusing to engage, or deliberately dropping the mouthpiece is a foul.
- Intentional foul penalties Required An intentional foul costs one point, or two points if it causes an injury. A fighter can be disqualified for an intentional, severe, or flagrant foul, a combination of three penalty fouls, or an intentional foul that ends the bout through injury. Only the referee can assess a foul; judges cannot score one the referee did not call.
- Gloves Required Fighters wear Commission-approved 4, 5, or 6 oz gloves supplied by the promoter. Fighters may use their own gloves only if the Commission approves and both fighters agree.
- Mouthpiece Required A fitted mouthpiece is required, and a round cannot start without it.
- Groin guard and attire Required Male fighters must wear a Commission-approved groin guard. Gis, shirts, socks, and shoes are not allowed; fighters wear MMA, biking, or kickboxing shorts, and women also wear approved tops. Women may not wear groin guards but may be required to wear an approved chest protector.
- Scoring Required Three judges score every round on the 10-point must system, weighing effective striking, grappling, control of the fighting area, aggressiveness, and defense, in that order. Judges weigh grappling first when most of the round was on the ground and striking first when it was mostly standing.
Professional: Arizona Professional MMA Rules
Effective September 14, 2024
- Rounds and round length Depends on event Professional bouts are scheduled for up to five rounds of up to five minutes each. Five rounds and five minutes are maximums, and the Commission may approve a variation on the standard number and duration of rounds.
- Rest between rounds Required Fighters get one minute of rest between rounds.
- Elbow strikes Conditional Arizona's codified baseline rules do not prohibit professional elbows solely because the opponent is grounded; the grounded-head elbow ban is listed for amateurs only. Downward 12-to-6 elbows are listed as a foul. Elbows to the back of the head or spine remain fouls.
- Twisting leg submissions Allowed Twisting leg submissions are not prohibited for professionals by Arizona's codified rules. Arizona's codified rules list this prohibition for amateurs only and do not prohibit it for professionals.
- Linear kicks to the knee Allowed Linear kicks to the knee are not prohibited for professionals by Arizona's codified rules. Arizona's codified rules list this prohibition for amateurs only and do not prohibit it for professionals.
- Foot stomps Allowed Foot stomps are not prohibited for professionals by Arizona's codified rules. This is different from stomping a grounded opponent, which is a foul at every level. Arizona's codified rules list this prohibition for amateurs only and do not prohibit it for professionals.
- Stomping a grounded opponent Prohibited Stomping a grounded opponent is a foul. An opponent is grounded when any part of the body other than the soles of the feet and a single hand touches the floor; a single knee or arm on the floor counts.
- Strikes to the back of the head or spine Prohibited Strikes to the spine, the back of the head, or the base of the skull are fouls.
- Kicks and knees to a grounded opponent's head Prohibited Kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent is a foul. An opponent is grounded when any part of the body other than the soles of the feet and a single hand touches the floor; a single knee or arm on the floor counts.
- Headbutts Prohibited Headbutts are fouls.
- Groin attacks Prohibited Groin attacks of any kind are fouls.
- Throat strikes Prohibited Throat strikes of any kind are fouls.
- Heel kicks to the kidney Prohibited Heel kicks to the kidney are fouls.
- Eye gouging Prohibited Eye gouging is a foul.
- Fish hooking and fingers in orifices Prohibited Fish hooking, and intentionally putting a finger in any of an opponent's orifices, are fouls.
- Biting and spitting Prohibited Biting and spitting are fouls.
- Hair pulling Prohibited Hair pulling is a foul.
- Clawing, pinching, and grabbing the clavicle Prohibited Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh, and grabbing the clavicle are fouls.
- Small-joint manipulation Prohibited Small-joint manipulation is a foul.
- Spiking onto the head or neck Prohibited Spiking an opponent onto the canvas on their head or neck is a foul.
- Grabbing the fence, shorts, or gloves Prohibited Holding or grabbing the fence, or an opponent's shorts or gloves, is a foul. The first instance draws a warning; after that it is penalized.
- Stalling and timidity Prohibited Avoiding contact, intentionally falling down, faking an injury, stalling, refusing to engage, or deliberately dropping the mouthpiece is a foul.
- Intentional foul penalties Required An intentional foul costs one point, or two points if it causes an injury. A fighter can be disqualified for an intentional, severe, or flagrant foul, a combination of three penalty fouls, or an intentional foul that ends the bout through injury. Only the referee can assess a foul; judges cannot score one the referee did not call.
- Gloves Required Fighters wear Commission-approved 4, 5, or 6 oz gloves supplied by the promoter. Fighters may use their own gloves only if the Commission approves and both fighters agree.
- Mouthpiece Required A fitted mouthpiece is required, and a round cannot start without it.
- Groin guard and attire Required Male fighters must wear a Commission-approved groin guard. Gis, shirts, socks, and shoes are not allowed; fighters wear MMA, biking, or kickboxing shorts, and women also wear approved tops. Women may not wear groin guards but may be required to wear an approved chest protector.
- Scoring Required Three judges score every round on the 10-point must system, weighing effective striking, grappling, control of the fighting area, aggressiveness, and defense, in that order. Judges weigh grappling first when most of the round was on the ground and striking first when it was mostly standing.
Official sources
Rules can change. Confirm event-specific requirements with the commission or promotion.
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