FORWARD

Nothing in these rules and regulations is intended to apply to boxing, mixed martial arts or wrestling bouts held and conducted as regular competition in schools, colleges, or universities in the State of Nebraska; nor to similar activities held on military bases, or on the reservations of the United States Government located within the State of Nebraska.

NEBRASKA ATHLETIC COMMISSION

NUMERICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER		TITLE						STATUTORY AUTHORITY

1		GENERAL RULES & DEFINITIONS			81-8, 128; 142
2		CLUBS							81-8, 130; 142
3		LICENSE & FEES					81-8, 130; 133.01; 										142
4		PERMITS						81-8, 132; 139
5		CONTRACTS & FORFEITS				81-8, 138
6		TICKETS						81-8, 136
7		SPECIAL AMATEUR BOXING RULES		81-8, 129; 139
8		FEMALE BOXING/MMA RULES			81-8, 129; 138; 139
9		PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING RULES		81-8, 129; 139
10		PROFESSIONAL BOXING RULES			81-8, 134; 138; 139
11		RING							81-8, 129; 139
12		GLOVES						81-8, 129; 139
13		INSPECTORS						81-8, 128; 141
14		PHYSICIAN						81-8, 133.01; 134
15		MATCHMAKER					81-8, 133.01
16		TIMEKEEPER						81-8, 133.01
17		SECONDS						81-8, 133.01
18		MANAGERS						81-8, 133.01
19		JUDGES						81-8, 133.01
20		REFEREE						81-8, 133
21		MEDICAL INSURANCE/DEATH BENEFIT		81-8, 128; 142
22		ELIMINATION BOUTS/TOURNAMENTS		81-8, 129; 139
23		HEALTH AND SAFETY				81-8, 128; 142
24		MIXED MARTIAL ARTS				81-8, 128; 142

CHAPTER 1
001  GENERAL RULES

001.01 	In these rules and regulations the words "bout" or "event" will mean match, exhibition, contest, show, or tournament; the term "club" and "promoter" are synonymous and used interchangeably, and include any association, corporation, organization, person, or licensee; the word "contestant" will mean professional boxer or wrestler or amateur boxer or mixed martial arts (MMA) amateur or professional contestant including,  masculine gender and the feminine gender; the term amateur MMA contestant shall mean participants who are a minimum of eighteen years of age  the term "juniors" shall mean boxing contestants under sixteen years of age; the term "senior" shall mean contestants who have attained the age of sixteen; the term "minor" shall mean a contestant not yet of legal age; the word "office" shall mean the office of the athletic commissioner located in the State Office Building, Lincoln, Nebraska; the term "inspector" shall mean a representative of the  athletic commissioner assigned to carry out all duties as assigned by the office; the term "advisory committee" shall mean the athletic commission advisory board. In these rules and regulations the words "disciplinary action" will be construed to mean reprimand, suspend, revoke, fine, forfeit, or a combination thereof.

001.02  	By statute, a commissioner of athletics is appointed by the governor to enforce the laws, rules, and regulations governing amateur and professional boxing,  professional wrestling, amateur and professional MMA events and elimination bouts in Nebraska. The commissioner shall have sole direction, management, control, and jurisdiction over mixed martial arts, boxing and wrestling and shall make such rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of Statutes 81-8, 128 through 81-8, 142. The commissioner is empowered with the authority and responsibility to appoint sufficient inspectors to assist in the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations.

001.03  	Each inspector will be issued an official badge and identification card, which will be his authorization to act as a representative of the commissioner whenever the office may designate him to so act. The inspector is an official representative of the Athletic Commissioner and shall see that the rules and regulations are properly applied and enforced. The office will provide the inspector with an "Inspectors Handbook", which will explain his/her duties in detail, setting out therein the amount of compensation he/she will receive from the office for each supervised event. All inspectors serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. 

001.04  	All clubs or persons shall hold licenses, or make applications for licenses to the office of the commissioner, medical insurance, death benefit policy and bonds  must be current with copies on file in the athletic commission office before contracts will be recognized or bout permits issued. Licenses for referees, physicians, announcers, timekeepers, contestants, professional judges, seconds, and managers may be issued prior to or at the event. All persons must be licensed prior to the scheduled start of the event.

001.05  	All licensees and officials involved in the actual conducting of the event shall be under the direct control and direction of the commissioner or the inspector assigned to supervise the event. All ringside officials shall not in any manner display partiality for one contestant over the other.

001.06  	Clubs are held responsible to insure that public safety is maintained at all bouts. A minimum of one state certified uniformed law enforcement officer furnished by the club will be in attendance, with additional officers as required by the facility manager for the assurance of adequate public safety. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of the event and disciplinary action taken, at the discretion of the inspector assigned.

001.07  	Smoking should be kept to a minimum and all drinks shall be dispensed in paper or soft plastic cups. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to formulate and enforce these rules.

001.08  	The commissioner shall reserve the right to control and limit the number of bouts held, and will not approve bout permits for days deemed not to be in the best interest of the sport or the community. Bouts in which two or more contestants appear in the ring at the same time, and bouts between members of the opposite sex will not be approved. No more than five junior bouts may be used to fill a senior bout card, provided that the senior card consist of less than seven bouts  with the  approval of the commissioner and the nationally recognized sanctioning body. The two age groups will be separated by a fifteen-minute intermission. Senior participants will compete first on all amateur contests sanctioned and approved with both junior and senior contestants on the same card.
001.09  	No person other than a person officially identified with the sport, shall be introduced from the ring. Introductions and announcements must include, as a minimum, a statement, i.e.; "These bouts are licensed by the State of Nebraska Athletic Commission." Other announcements must be limited to those pertaining to present and future bouts unless specifically authorized by the commissioner or inspector supervising the event. Political announcements or references will not be permitted under any circumstances. At the termination of all boxing bouts the winner will be announced, and the referee shall raise the winners hand.

001.10  	The promoter will insure that there is sufficient dressing rooms for each gender and a room for physical examinations. A separate room shall be provided for officials unless the physical arrangements of the venue will not allow for the additional room. No one will be allowed in the  contestants dressing rooms except officials, managers, seconds, club representatives, or commission members. The promoter will furnish a doorman in dressing rooms to enforce this rule. The dressing rooms must provide a degree of privacy and security and shall be kept neat and clean.

001.11  	The contestants in all licensed events shall be examined by a physician and medically approved to participate at a time and location approved by the commissioner and all physicals must be completed at least two hours before the scheduled start time. Professional contestants may conduct weigh-ins and physical examinations up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled start of the bouts at the discretion  and  approval of the commissioner. 

Each MMA contestant must present to the commission representative at the time of the scheduled weight-ins or license application, two forms of identification. One form of identification must be a color photo identification with their date of birth and social security number. The contestant must provide to the commission representative one (1) color passport type photo with the application for license. 

Referees also shall be given a physical examination and medically approved  before officiating  any match. Should any contestant examined prove unfit for competition or any referee unfit for officiating, the contestant or referee shall be rejected and the commission and the club representative notified immediately. Contestants failing to appear at the appointed place and at the specified time to be examined and weighed, or who leave the area before weigh-ins or physicals are completed without permission of the commissioner shall be subject to disciplinary action as the commissioner may determine. Examining physicians shall be provided with a suitable place in which to conduct their examinations. A  contestant shall not be allowed to compete  unless he/she shall have been certified as fit to do so by a qualified doctor of medicine (MD). 

001.12  	The commission shall deny, suspend, revoke, or place restrictions on the license of a professional, or deny or suspend from competition an amateur boxer, amateur or professional mixed martial arts contestant if it is  determined by an eye examination that the contestant cannot safely engage in their respective sporting activity because of a visual condition, including but not limited to the following: Uncorrected visual acuity of less that 20/200 in either eye or 20/60 with both eyes; corrected visual acuity of less than 20/60 in either eye, regardless of its cause; a visual field of 60 degrees or less extending over one or more quadrants of the visual field; presence or history of retinal detachment or retinal tear unless treated by an ophthalmologist and then approved by an ophthalmologist who then assesses that the boxer is at no significant risk of further injury to the retina if  contact is resumed, such assessment  occurring within five days of the scheduled contest; presence of primary or secondary glaucoma, whether or not such condition has been treated; presence of aphasia or dislocated lens in either eye; any other visual condition which the commission determines would prevent the contestant  from safely engaging in boxing or mixed martial arts activities.  

001.13  	All clubs are held responsible for and shall correct any violations of commission rules or applicable local health department requirements regarding sanitary conditions of dressing rooms, showers, water bottles, towels, or other equipment.

001.14  	Licensed contestants and managers may be permitted to act as seconds without purchasing an additional license; however they must observe all rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of seconds. A second shall not excessively coach a  contestant during a round and shall remain seated and silent when so directed by the referee or a commission representative. Excessive coaching may lead to point deductions by the referee, ejection from the venue, and/or disciplinary action.

001.15  	The use of foul or abusive language or mannerisms or threats of physical harm by any person associated with any licensed event shall not be tolerated. Disciplinary action in the way of reprimands, suspensions, license revocation,  physical removal, or fines may be assessed according to the gravity of the offense. The commissioner may reprimand, or suspend any amateur contestant, amateur coach, or revoke the license of any licensee,  or official who is guilty of unfair dealings, ungentlemanly conduct, protesting the decisions of the officials, or violating any of the laws, rules and regulations. The commissioner may forbid such person to act in any capacity in connection with any bouts, present or future.

001.16  	All contestants shall be clean and present a tidy appearance. It shall be the sole discretion of the commissioner or inspector to determine whether facial adornments (mustaches, goatees, excessive sideburns) and length of hair presents any potential hazard to the safety of the contestants, or interfere with the supervision and conduct of the bout. Earrings, jewelry of any kind, and body piercing adornments must be removed and the finger nails and toe nails of MMA contestants must be trimmed before a contestant will be allowed to weigh-in. Earrings, jewelry of any kind, and body piercing adornments  are strictly prohibited during amateur and professional bouts. A contestant will not be allowed to participate while exhibiting any type of temporary body art, including business advertising, (example: Joe’s Bar or ABC Casino). The excessive use of petroleum jelly or other substances shall not be permitted and such substances shall be applied to the face only. The referee or inspector at ringside shall cause any excessive such substances to be removed.

001.17  	The administration or use of drugs, alcohol, or stimulants, either before or during a match, to or by any contestant is prohibited. Any substance other than plain water or commission approved sports drinks given to a contestant during the course of the contest is absolutely prohibited. Only sports drinks approved or recommended by the Association of Ringside Physicians on the effective date of these rules will be approved by the commission. They will be given to the inspector supervising the event to be opened at ringside immediately prior to the contest. Any previously opened containers will not be allowed and only those approved and opened by a commission member at ringside immediately prior to the scheduled bout will be allowed. The commissioner or inspector supervising the match may order anti-doping exams, whenever considered necessary, before of after a contest. Fifty percent of the contestants purse will be held by the athletic commission office until such time as the results of any testing are official. The urine specimen must be supplied under the supervision and direction of the commissioner or the inspector supervising the contest. The consumption of alcoholic beverages by any licensee or person associated with the conduct of  a licensed event is strictly prohibited. Failure of any anti-doping exam, or use of alcohol as previously stated, will result in severe disciplinary action by the athletic commission.  

001.18  	Any licensee or official who wishes to contest any decision made by the  athletic commissioner may do so within ten days of the cause or occurrence in writing, setting forth all of the facts and basis for the appeal. If the athletic commissioner is not able to satisfy the complainant, he or she has the right to appeal to the athletic advisory committee for a formal hearing. The time, date and location of the hearing will be determined by the chairman of the advisory committee. Attendance by four members of the committee will constitute a quorum for the purpose of a legal hearing. The athletic commissioner may be present and may offer testimony, but shall have no vote. An official notice of the hearing will be delivered or mailed to the complainant at least ten days prior to the hearing. All testimony will be under oath and sworn to affidavits may be presented to the committee. The appealing party may have counsel, witnesses, or observers present to participate in the hearing as directed by the advisory committee. If the complainant is not satisfied with the advisory committee's ruling, the appealing party may seek review under the Administrative Procedure Act. Court costs and legal fees shall be paid by the plaintiff.

001.19  	All suspensions placed on contestants or any other licensee by any other state athletic commissions or native American tribal commission, will be recognized by the State of Nebraska Athletic Commission. The only form of verification that the office will accept that a suspension has been lifted is a FAX on the issuing commissions official letterhead,  a personal phone call from the commissioner, with an original follow up letter from the appropriate commission on state letterhead, all of which must be completed a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the scheduled event.

001.20	If at any time a contestant’s ability to perform is questionable, whether from reasons of health, mental condition or no longer possessing the ability to compete safely, or for any other reason, the commission may, upon being satisfied of a  contestant’s lack of ability to perform, retire the  contestant from further competition for the health and safety of the  contestant.

001.21	Within statutory limitations, the commissioner shall be responsible for interpretation of the rules and regulations. There shall be compliance with the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act and any amendments made thereto.

CHAPTER 2
002  CLUBS

002.01 	Clubs shall make application for license to conduct professional boxing, professional wrestling, elimination bouts,  amateur boxing and amateur and professional mixed martial arts events on official forms supplied by the commission office.  The application, along with the bout permit application and a copy of an amateur sanction for  amateur boxing events, must be in the office at least  21 days prior to the scheduled date of the event. All bonds, death benefit policy and medical insurance must be current and on file in the commission office before any license or bout permits will be issued and contracts recognized or enforced.  Every license issued shall be subject to the conditions and agreements set forth in the application therefore, the statutes and laws relating to boxing,  wrestling, mixed martial arts and the rules and regulations of the commission.

002.02 	Falsification in whole or in part of a material fact or representation on any application for a license shall result in a license being denied, and if previously granted, revoked, unless otherwise ordered by the commissioner.

002.03 	There shall be no limitations on the number of licenses permitted in the state, however the commissioner reserves the authority to deny a permit where back to back or same day events are scheduled in the same community. Pro-Am boxing events will be approved only after the requirements for amateur and professional boxing are met, with the approved amateur sanction and other applications, permits and forms received for review and approval by the commission office.

002.04 	Club licenses for amateur boxing events only, shall be restricted to non-profit organizations, corporations and associations and clubs which are fraternal, service, religious, or educational in character, registered as such, which have been located and established in the State of Nebraska for one year.

002.05  	Clubs are required to provide all materials necessary to conduct the bouts, such as the ring, three (3) sets of approved steps, stools, water buckets, bell, buzzer or whistle, timer, gloves, gauze and tape for hand wraps, scale which will be examined and approved by the inspector (unless provided by the commission), and all other associated material and equipment.

002.06  	Clubs shall post compliance bonds with the office in the amount of one thousand dollars for amateur boxing and amateur MMA bouts and five thousand dollars for professional boxing, professional MMA and wrestling before licenses or bout permits will be issued. All licenses and bonds will expire simultaneously on June 30 of each year. A guide listing requirements of the approved bond, and form, will be provided by the office. Bonds not meeting the requirements will be returned.

002.07  	Clubs shall be responsible to the office for all bouts held by the club and for meeting the 21 day deadline for bout permit applications and all other requirements. This includes responsibility for the compliance with laws, rules and regulations as adopted by the Nebraska Athletic Commission. 

002.08  	The club is responsible for the athletic tax, city and state sales tax and any city and state tax for the sale of any television rights. The club is responsible for all license fees for contestants, announcers, judges, referees, timekeepers and physicians.  All license fees must be paid prior to the scheduled start of the event unless previous arrangements for payment have been made and approved by the supervising inspector.

002.09  	Clubs are required to publicly announce any and all substitutions for contestants advertised for bouts as soon as such substitutions are known. Failure to announce substitutions may result in suspension or revocation of the club license. Prior to the announcement of a substitution, the substitute contestant must be approved by the office. If the substitute appears for the bouts and is not used for any reason other than medical disqualification, the substitute will be reimbursed by the club a minimum of one hundred dollars for training expenses in addition to any reasonable transportation cost, meals and lodging. 

002.10 	Notice of any change in the advertised bouts must be conspicuously posted at the box office, and announced prior to the scheduled start of the bouts. Any patrons requesting a refund of the ticket price, must present the tickets or the ticket stubs at the box office, or to a designated person who is handling the refunds. All returned ticket stubs must be held for an accurate accounting of the gross receipts. No refunds will be made after the start of the first bout.
002.11  	Clubs shall not schedule less than 26 rounds of professional boxing, nor more than 40 rounds, except  with the approval of the commission for any one program. A standby bout should be  scheduled and approved by the commissioner in the event an arranged card breaks down, and if it is necessary to put on another bout in order to meet the minimum requirements.

MMA Clubs shall not schedule less than 24 twenty four round or eight bouts, nor more than 50 rounds, except with the approval of the commission for any one program. 

MMA "Pro/Am" events shall be scheduled for a minimum of eight  bouts, four of which must be professional bouts. The combination of four professional bouts and four amateur bouts or five professional bouts and three amateur bouts. All events must start with the amateur bouts and they must be in succession. Professional bouts will follow amateur bouts with no intermixing bouts. Professional and amateur bouts will be separated by a brief intermission. 

002.12  	Clubs, bout directors, contestants and all officials associated with the bouts shall acquaint themselves with the laws, rules and regulations of the athletic commission. Any question of interpretation should be referred to the office, and the authority of the commissioner and inspectors shall be respected. Interference with their duties, foul or abusive language, or threats of physical harm positively will not be tolerated, and will be cause for disciplinary action as determined by the athletic commissioner.

002.13      	It is the responsibility of the Clubs/Promoter to submit at the time of application for permit to hold an event a certified copy of the current  fire inspection certificate in addition to a current certificate of occupancy indicating that the facility passed the inspection and no violations or repairs were noted and re-inspection is not required. The certified copy should state at a minimum: “this certificate is a true and accurate copy of the most current fire inspection that was conducted. The certification must be on the inspecting agencies letterhead and signed by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshall.” Government owned and operated facilities and school gymnasiums that have annual fire inspections are exempt.

CHAPTER 3
003  LICENSE FEES

003.01  	Each applicant for a license shall pay, before the license is issued and annually thereafter, such fee as designated by the commissioner. All licenses expire on June 30 of each year following the date of issue. Official applications for licenses and bout permits  may be requested from the office or downloaded from the athletic commission website and all forms and applications being submitted  shall contain all facts and information required under the rules and regulations before being sent to the office. Incomplete or incorrect forms will not be accepted by the office and will be returned to the applicant to be corrected. All applications must be filled out in their entirety. 

003.02  	All professional boxers and wrestlers, elimination bout contestants, amateur and professional mixed martial arts contestants, their managers and seconds, and all clubs, physicians, amateur and professional referees, matchmakers, amateur and professional mixed martial arts judges, professional boxing judges, amateur and professional timekeepers, amateur and professional announcers, inspector assistants, and amateur boxing associations registered as non-profit for the conduct of senior boxing events are required to be licensed by the office. No person or organization except amateur wrestling organizations or recognized amateur boxing associations for junior contestants under sixteen years of age shall be permitted to participate either directly or indirectly in any boxing or wrestling bout or the promotion thereof, unless a license has been procured.

003.03  	Schedule of license fees effective  1 July 2007 
	Amateur Boxing Clubs 			$ 50.00
	Amateur MMA Clubs				$ 50.00
	Professional MMA Clubs			$175.00
	Professional Wrestling			$175.00
	Professional Boxing				$175.00
	Referee					$ 35.00
	Physician					$ 20.00
	Manager					$ 20.00
	Matchmaker					$ 50.00
	Judge						$ 20.00
	Timekeeper					$ 20.00
	Seconds					$ 20.00
	Announcer					$ 20.00
	Contestant					$ 20.00
License fees will not be refunded after the license is issued even though the license is not used. Amateur boxing contestants, amateur boxing judges and amateur boxing seconds are not required to be licensed.

003.04  	Before a license is issued to any boxer, the boxer shall satisfy the commission that he/she has the ability to compete.  Pro-debut contestants may be required to workout and spar while being observed by a commission representative prior to being issued a license. The applicant must demonstrate the necessary skills to safely compete as a professional prior to being licensed

003.05  	Any license provided for herein may be revoked or suspended when the commissioner adjudges that the licensee has violated or failed to comply with the laws, rules and regulations, or has acted detrimentally towards the best interest of their respective sport, contestants, or spectators.

CHAPTER 4
004  PERMITS

004.01  	Separate bout permits shall be obtained from the office by each club before every bout. The request for the permit must be on file in the office at least  21 days prior to the date of the bout. Advance notice of planned events is helpful in expediting final approval. Bout permits may not be approved for senior amateur boxing events held on the same day that the licensee conducts a junior boxing contest at the same site or location.

004.02  	The office may disapprove or reduce the number of rounds of boxing requested by the club for any contestants because of disparity with respect to age, physical ability, skill level or experience. All licensed officials and contestants shall not serve at a bout in any capacity for which event the commissioner has denied a bout permit.

004.03  	The grounds for denial of a request for a permit would include, but not be limited to, the following: failure of a promoter or any person connected with the promotion and under the jurisdiction of the commission to comply with any statute or rule regulating professional boxing,  wrestling,  amateur boxing,  elimination bouts, amateur and professional mixed martial arts in Nebraska; the contest would tend to be a mismatch based on the record, experience, skill level and condition of the contestants. Currently under suspension by another state athletic/boxing commission; or the commission does not have adequate staff to enforce the statutes and rules regulating the event enacted and adopted to protect the health, safety and welfare of the participants and spectators and guarantee the collection of revenue due to the state from the contest and all ancillary rights incidental thereto. The office reserves the right to refuse any permit because of location, inadequate or unsafe site or arena selection, or for other sufficient reasons considered not to be in the best interest of the sport of wrestling, boxing, the contestants and spectators, or the officials.

004.04  	No bout permit will be issued for a professional boxing show that does not feature a main event bout. The number of rounds that qualify as a main event will be a bout of at least eight rounds. The event should also include at least one co main event bout of at least six rounds, and the remaining bouts may be no less than four  rounds each. No club may schedule or advertise a twelve round contest or a fifteen round championship boxing contest without written approval of the athletic commissioner. No professional contestant shall box more than once on the day of the event.

CHAPTER 5
005  CONTRACTS AND FORFEITS

005.01  	No verbal agreement or written agreement other than a contract on the commission's official form shall be accepted by the commission. The original and a true copy of each contract, along with any addendum to the contract or agreement involving the sale of television rights, shall be filed in the office at least 14 days prior to the scheduled bouts, unless a specific, individual  exception is approved by the commissioner. FAX, telegram, or official letters signed by all parties indicating acceptance of terms may be considered an agreement between a contestant, his manager, and the club, pending the actual signing of the contracts. Contestants must sign the contracts with their legal names. No contracts shall be enforced by the commission until such time as the contracts are in the possession of the commission or his authorized representative and meet all requirements of the rules and the provisions of the statutes applicable to professional boxing and professional mixed martial arts. Only signed contracts and addendums filled out in their entirety will be accepted and enforced by the commission.

005.02  	Contracts wherein a contestant agrees to accept a certain percentage for his services with the understanding that at the same time he is to pay his opponent a stipulated amount of this percentage are not acceptable to the commission unless such a contract is submitted to the commission for examination and approval. Deductions may be allowed only if the amount to be deducted is clearly specified and itemized in the contract signed by the  contestant and the club. If the commission determines that the deductions are not sufficiently itemized and specific, it may disallow such deductions.

005.03  	Upon request by a club, the office may require a contestant to post a forfeit fee, in the amount demanded to guarantee the contestants appearance, fulfillment of a contract, or attaining a specified weight at a specified time. Such forfeit fee must be acknowledged in the contract, and returned to the contestant by the office upon satisfactory completion of all terms of the contract. Such forfeit fee amount must be in the form of a certified check made payable to the State Athletic Commission. Failure to appear by a contestant who has signed a contract for services will result in disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner to include a fine.

005.04  	No contestant shall be paid for services before the contest. No contestant shall be paid who does not complete the terms of the contract or who is deemed by the commissioner, inspector, or referee to be putting forth less than maximum effort. This provision will be especially observed when bouts are stopped for any reason other than inability of a contestant to continue. 

005.05  	In all cases where a  professional contestant has a signed contract, has trained for a minimum of  30 days for a scheduled bout; appears for the weigh-ins and physical examination at the prescribed time and place; is prepared to participate and has been cleared by the office to participate. But, for any reason other than medical disqualification is scratched from the program shall be reimbursed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for training expense  in addition to any reasonable transportation cost, meals and lodging by the club/promoter.

005.06  	In all cases of disputes between clubs and contestants in which the office is the final authority; or in all cases involving claims of forfeits by opponents or clubs; or contracts involving the sale of television rights; or in the case of fines involving all or any part of purses the office will retain the amounts involved for a reasonable period, not to exceed sixty days, in order to permit the persons concerned to protect their interest. Clubs and contestants making private agreements other than those submitted in written contracts filed with the office may result in disciplinary action as determined by the athletic commissioner. Any agreement between the club and the contestant not signed by both parties and submitted on and approved commission contract or contract addendum, will not be enforced by the commission, both the contract and addendum must be filled out in their entirety, signed and placed on file in the commission office.

005.07  	All guarantees and forfeit fees shall be deposited with the office by certified check. Personal checks or cash will not be accepted by the office and clubs may not accept personal checks for transmittal to the office.

005.08  	All taxes shall be deducted from gross receipts before percentage contracts are computed.

CHAPTER 6
006  TICKETS

006.01  	Every person admitted to a match shall have a ticket or a pass, complimentary or otherwise, including officials, contestants, managers and seconds. Every admission ticket, pass or complimentary ticket must be deposited immediately by the ticket takers in closed containers to be provided by the club and tickets may not be removed or disposed deposed of until released by the commission representative or state auditor.

006.02  	The inspector may have complete control and supervision of the sale of tickets, ticket boxes, entrance doors and exits for the purpose of checking admission controls. He shall be provided with all information and materials necessary for an accurate accounting, including printers manifest showing the total number of tickets printed and the admission prices of each, and first and last numbers of rolled tickets. Advanced tickets must be accounted for as part of the gross receipts.

006.03  	Every licensee shall pay to the commissioner a state athletic tax of five percent (5%) of the total gross receipts of any approved and licensed event exclusive of city, state and federal taxes, and five percent of the total gross receipts from the sale of television rights. If an amateur or professional boxing match, amateur or professional mixed martial arts match, wrestling match, elimination bout or exhibition is held as an incidental feature in any event or entertainment of a different character, such portion of the total receipts shall be paid to the state as the commissioner may determine, or may be fixed by rule. All taxes must be paid immediately after the event. Unless other arrangements have been made by the supervising inspector.

006.04	In  any professional boxing or wrestling match and any amateur boxing match, amateur or professional mixed martial match incidental to another form of entertainment where the price of admission allows spectators to attend any or all associated events and the promoter/matchmaker is supplying the contestants for a set fee. Athletic tax of five percent shall be collected on the contracted amount between the promoter/matchmaker and the private entity (Pursuant to State Statute 81-8, 135). A copy of the contract and a notarized copy of the check for payment must be submitted to the inspector assigned to supervise the event. In the event there is no contract, the promoter/matchmaker and the private entity must sign a notarized affidavit stating the amount paid to the promoter/matchmaker for his service along with a notarized copy of the check for payment, must be submitted to the inspector assigned to supervise the event. Athletic tax of five percent of the contracted amount shall be paid to the Athletic Commission.

006.05  	Clubs shall sell all tickets for the exact price printed thereon at all times, including after the bouts have begun. Tickets of different prices shall be printed on card stock of distinctly different colors. The price of tickets shall be printed in large type and displayed adjacent to all ticket sellers tables, or above the ticket sellers window, and shall not be changed. Ticket prices may be approved by the office before issuance. All tickets shall have the price, the name of the club, and the date of the show plainly printed or stamped thereon.

006.06  	The supervising inspector shall be privileged to count the cash received from the sale of tickets if he deems it necessary. The amount of the cash change fund or starting bank shall be recorded for the supervising inspector's information. Any withdrawals from the cash receipts prior to the final accounting  must be approved by the supervising inspector or commissioner. The final accounting will be made in a private office or room with only the club representative and the supervising inspector or commissioner present. A manager or a contestant with a percentage contract, or an individual with a valid interest or concern may request permission from the commissioner or inspector to be present during the counting. Should permission be granted, this person is only a silent observer and has no function in the accounting procedure.

006.07  	Complimentary tickets or passes, as well as those issued to the press, officials of the athletic commission office, or officials of the club and matched contestants, are to be free of state tax. Passes for actual and necessary officials and persons actually working at the event, arena, or facility shall be free of state tax.

006.08  	Non-exempt complimentary tickets subject to state tax must be over-stamped "complimentary" and must not exceed 2% of the seating capacity of the building or arena where the bouts are to be held. If the 2% is exceeded, tax will be collected on the entire total of the non-exempt complimentary tickets at the maximum price charged for the event. All such complimentary tickets must be listed on a form showing to whom issued, number of tickets, price, and by whom approved. The completed form must be turned over to the office with the other reports.

006.09  	Complimentary ringside tickets shall be provided by the licensed club, to representatives of the state athletic commission in the number requested in writing on State of Nebraska Athletic Commission letterhead. In addition to the commissioner, inspectors and members of the advisory committee shall be admitted to any event over which the athletic commission has jurisdiction. Representatives of the athletic commission office may be required to present their state identification. 

CHAPTER 7  
007  SPECIAL AMATEUR BOXING RULES

007.01  	The following rules, in addition to the Technical Rules, as drafted or modified by the governing body for Amateur Boxing shall be observed. The rules of the commission pertaining to professional boxing shall apply to amateur boxing unless the rules are inconsistent with the Technical Rules as drafted or modified by the sanctioning body pertaining to amateur boxing. 

007.02  	No amateur will be permitted to compete in a licensed event unless he/she has reached his/her sixteenth birthday, has been training for a period of not less than 30 days, and has a signed written consent form from a parent or legal guardian if less than nineteen years of age. Any club, matchmaker or handler who uses or causes to be used any amateur boxer in any amateur boxing contest without first ascertaining whether the boxer is old enough to box as a qualified amateur and has his/her parents or legal guardians written consent to box if he/she is a minor, shall be suspended for a period of not less than six months. 

007.03  	No person shall be recognized as an amateur or permitted to engage in any amateur boxing contest who has received compensation to compete or participate in any professional competition or exhibition in any sport. Professional boxers and elimination bout contestants are prohibited from participating in amateur boxing events. Once a boxer becomes a professional, he/she is ineligible for reinstatement as an amateur. 

007.04  	Contestants must arrive for physical examination and weigh-ins at the time specified and approved on the application for bout permit, which weigh-ins and physicals cannot begin without a Commission member present. A boxer shall not be allowed to compete in a sanctioned competition unless he/she shall have been certified as fit to do so by a qualified doctor of medicine (MD). All contestants will be checked by a doctor of medicine (MD) at the conclusion of each bout. It is recommended that all amateur boxers undergo an annual physical by a qualified doctor of medicine (MD).

007.05  	A physician may disqualify from competition any boxer who demonstrates by physical examination of the face, orbital or oral, a lesion that in the judgment of the physician presents an active herpetic lesion (fever blister, cold sore, etc.) The wearing of glasses by boxers in the ring is strictly prohibited, and a boxer totally unsighted in one or both eyes, or possessing only one eye is prohibited from boxing. Deaf and mute boxers who can pass a physical examination by a qualified doctor of medicine (MD) are eligible to compete.
 
007.06  	All amateur contestants must present to the bout director or ring clerk a nationally recognized amateur boxing record book containing a color photo of the individual and any other form of identification requested should there be a question of proper identification.

007.07  	No boxer will be permitted to participate in any sanctioned amateur boxing contest on more than two days in any seven, except in regularly sanctioned tournaments requiring more than two days to complete. No boxer will be allowed to box more than once in any calendar day and in no case sooner than 12 hours from his/her previous bout.

007.08  	No contestant shall be scheduled, and no contestant shall engage in an amateur contest where the weight difference exceeds the allowance as shown in the following schedule without the approval of the commissioner or inspector(s). The following limitations of weight are placed on contest other than championships and tournaments:				
		106 lbs.		8 lbs.
		112 lbs.		8 lbs.
		119 lbs.		8 lbs.
		125 lbs.		8 lbs.
		132 lbs.		10 lbs.
		141 lbs.		10 lbs.
		152 lbs.		10 lbs.		
		165 lbs.		10 lbs.
		178 lbs.		15 lbs.
		201 lbs.		15 lbs.
		over 201 lbs.		No limit		
			
007.09  	Boxing against professional boxers by amateurs is prohibited. Male boxers are limited to participation between males, and females limited to participation between females. All amateurs shall enter and compete in all boxing contest or tournaments under their own names, the use of a ring name is prohibited. 

007.10  	All boxers must present a neat and clean appearance, must be cleanly shaven, with no goatee or beard prior to being allowed to weigh-in. Earrings, jewelry of any kind, and body piercing adornments must be removed before a contestant will be allowed to weigh-in, and  are strictly prohibited during the contest.  A thin line mustache on the lip to the edge of the outer corner of the mouth is authorized. All contestants must box in proper attire and use only approved equipment. 

007.11  	Male contestants shall wear a foul-proof groin protector, a plastic cup with an athletic supporter is adequate, but an abdominal guard is preferable. Female contestants shall wear a foul-proof breast protector, plastic breast covers are adequate. Female contestants shall also wear a pelvic protective girdle which shall cover the pubic area, ovaries, coccyx and sides of hips. All contestants shall wear a fitted mouthpiece, and the wearing of an approved competitive headgear is mandatory.

007.12  	Boxing gloves shall be 10 ounces in weight for competitors from 106 - 152 pound, and 12 ounces in weight for competitors 165 - 201 pounds. All gloves must be either the thumb less, or thumb attached models, and boxers are prohibited from wearing their own gloves. The gloves must be clean and sanitary, with no snags, tears, or holes in them. The padding cannot be broken, separated, twisted, or defective in any way subject to the approval by the Inspector(s). The eyelets of the laces must be clipped, and the laces must be covered by a wrist band or adhesive tape. It is recommended that a ten percent (10%) household bleach and water solution be used for cleansing all headgear and gloves before the start of each bout by the person responsible for the gloving of contestants.

007.13  	Coaches are warned to be extremely careful in dealing with bodily fluids of boxers (saliva, blood, etc.). Please do not share towels, sponges or anything that could transmit fluids from one boxer to another, especially if there is an open wound. The sharing of one sponge, towel or water bottle for all boxers is strictly prohibited.

007.14  	Each boxer shall wear hand wraps that are made of cotton gauze, soft surgical gauze or velpeau. There must be no tape over the knuckles or across the palm of the hand. All hand wraps are subject to inspection by the commission, and anyone officially connected with the boxing contest may request to have a boxers hand wraps examined. Any violation of this provision may result in disqualification of the contestant and the individual responsible.

007.15  	The supervising inspector(s) shall have full control of the seconds in all amateur bouts and may have them removed from the corners for any infractions of the rules and regulations. The rules governing seconds in professional bouts also apply to amateur seconds.

007.16  	Amateur bouts will consist of a minimum of three rounds of two minutes duration, with one minute rest period between rounds unless specifically approved by the Commissioner. Championship bouts will be consistent with the technical rules for amateur boxing.  All bouts will be judged by a minimum of three (3) judges for all non-tournament contest, and five (5) judges for all elimination bouts in the semi-finals and finals. Scorecards may be provided by the state athletic commission. At the end of the bout, scores shall be added and the judges signature, winners name, and the referees name shall be written on the scorecard. Incorrect or incomplete scorecards shall be returned to the errant judge by the referee for correction before the decision is announced. The referee shall collect the scorecards and deliver them to the scoring judge, commissioner or inspector(s).

007.17  	Points will be awarded for direct clean hits with the knuckle part of the closed glove on any part of the front of the head or body above the belt in accordance with the accepted scoring criteria by amateur boxing. Hits on the arms do not count and back hand blows are not allowed. If a foul is determined to be unintentional, the referee may give a warning to the contestant, and no points deducted. If the fouling continues after a third warning, the contestant may be disqualified at the referees discretion. If the referee decides that points should be deducted from a contestant for a foul, he shall command "stop", take the boxer by the hand, and face each judge to inform them of the point deduction.

007.18  	At the end of each round, the judges will record the score on the scorecards utilizing the scoring system approved by the sanctioning body for amateur boxing. No fractions are to be used, and the judge shall award his decision to the boxer who at the end of the contest has the greatest number of points and shall hand his scorecard to the referee. If at the end of the bout the contestants have an equal number of points, the judges shall consider the following for awarding the decision:		
					Clean and effective punches
					Leading off and being aggressive
					Defense, successful avoidance of blows

007.19  	The referee may, at his discretion, administer an eight-count to a contestant who is in trouble but who is still standing. He shall direct the opponent to a neutral corner, then begin counting from 1 to 8, examining the contestant who is in trouble as he counts. If, after completing the standing eight-count, the referee determines that the contestant in not able to continue, he shall stop the contest and declare the opponent the winner by RSC or RSCH. In case of a knockdown, the eight-count is mandatory, and in the case of three knock downs in the same round the contest will be stopped.

007.20  	Any amateur club or promoter licensed by the commission shall maintain a short term medical assistance insurance policy approved by the commission for all amateur boxers participating in a match conducted by the amateur club or promoter. Short term medical assistance insurance refers to coverage or payment of direct expenses of medical treatment, including emergency aid, diagnostic procedures, drugs, surgical procedures and physical therapy, arising directly from injuries incurred during an amateur boxing match in Nebraska which has been  approved by the State of Nebraska Athletic Commission. A copy of such insurance policy must be on file in the commission office a minimum of five days prior to date of the scheduled bouts.

007.21  	Expenses for amateur boxers shall be limited to actual expenses including deductible amounts for any covered injuries and shall be paid by the club hosting the event.

007.22  	Anything not covered in these Special Amateur Rules will be governed by the Professional Rules or by decision of the Athletic Commissioner.

CHAPTER 8
008  FEMALE BOXING, AND MMA RULES

008.01  	Female contestants, both professional and amateur, are restricted to participation in competition between females only, with a weight difference as outlined for amateur MMA contestants in section 024.22, professional weight limits will be set by contract, and any weight restrictions  for amateur boxers as set by the sanctioning body by federal law. 

008.02  	All contestants must receive a medical examination from a  licensed medical practitioner (MD) and be declared fit to compete at the scheduled time of the weigh-ins. In addition to the normal physical examination all female boxers shall be required to furnish a signed  disclaimer stating that, "to the best of her knowledge she is not pregnant,  does not have any painful pelvic discomfort such as symptomatic endometriosis or other causes, abnormal vaginal bleeding of undetermined causes (etiology), recent developed breast mass, recent breast dysfunction previously not present or surgical breast implants, and have no known medical condition that would disqualify me". All contestants must be checked by a doctor (MD) both before and after every bout.

008.03  	At the time of the physical examination, the examining physician must be given an accurate history of menstruation, pregnancy, breast or any gynecological surgery according to recommended medical guidelines. Female contestants must submit a doctors written verification of a negative pregnancy test administered by a medical doctor  (MD) within 48 hours of a scheduled contest. The cost of any test will be the responsibility of the contestants.

008.04  	All female contestants must wear a foul-proof breast protector, plastic breast covers are adequate or a protective sports bra. The breast protector must be well fitted and not interfere with the contestants ability to compete. Female amateur competitors shall wear a pelvic protective girdle which shall cover the pubic area, ovaries, coccyx and sides of hips . Each contestant shall wear mixed martial arts shorts, biking shorts, or kick boxing shorts. Shorts may be disapproved by the inspector or commission representative, cut-offs are not approved. All female contestants must wear a properly fitted mouth guard. 

008.05  	The contestants hair will be cut or arranged in such a manner as not to interfere with their vision. Hair may be secured using rubber bands or other banding devices but not using hair pins nor hair nets. The hair must be free of any/all hair styling agents (i.e. mousse, gel, or spray).

008.06  	In all contests the number of rounds shall be specified. No professional boxing contest shall be longer than 10 rounds nor less than 3 rounds of two minutes in duration with one minute interval between each round . No female amateur or professional MMA contest shall be longer than 3 rounds of three minutes each with an interval between each round of sixty seconds  unless specifically approved in writing by the Athletic Commissioner.  No stimulant may be given to a  contestant other than an ice bag or cold water to drink, or be sprinkled on the body or used as a mouth wash.

008.07  	Boxing gloves shall be 10 ounces in weight for contest from 106 lbs. to 145 lbs. and 12 ounces in weight for contest from 146 lbs. to heavyweight. Professional female MMA glove sizes will be set by contract with a minimum weight of 6 oz. Amateur MMA glove sizes will be determined as outlined in section 024.22.

008.08  	All contestants agree to abide by the Laws, Rules and Regulations for the Government of Boxing and Wrestling in Nebraska. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved in writing by the Athletic Commissioner or his designated representative.

CHAPTER 9
009  PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING RULES

009.01  	All bouts, unless expressly approved by the commissioner, will be limited to one fall or a specific time limit. If, at the end of the time limit of a single fall bout, and neither contestant has been awarded a fall, the bout will be declared a draw.

009.02  	Bouts preliminary to the main event may be governed by a specific time limit as declared by the matchmaker, or to a maximum of three falls.

009.03  	Both shoulders touching the mat at the same time and held for a count of three (three seconds) will constitute a fall.

009.04  	If a contestant crawls through the ropes or leaves the ring and refuses to return, at the count of ten by the referee, the contestant will be disqualified.

009.05  	If a contestant does not break a hold and take two steps backward before continuing when ordered to do so by the referee, the referee will then count to four. If the hold is not broken, he will then award the fall or bout to the offending contestants opponent.

009.06  	Striking, pushing or in any way abusing the referee will not be allowed. After being warned by the referee, the offender will forfeit the fall or bout to his opponent.

009.07  	All bouts that consist of contestants using foreign objects which could cause serious injury, or any other items thrown into the ring, either by contestants, or any one associated with the promotion, must be specifically approved by the commissioner. Including but not limited to chairs, tables, clubs, ladders, trash cans, ball bats, etc.

009.08  	Wrestling in the audience or outside of the immediate ring area is strictly prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the commissioner. Wrestling outside of the main arena in any portion of the facility not accessible to the general public is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the commissioner. The highest level of safety must be maintained for the contestants and spectators at all times during the show.

009.09  	All contestants must be on the premises where the bouts are being conducted at least one hour before the scheduled start of the show. A contestant who falls victim to an unforeseen emergency situation, must call the promoter and advise him of the problem and the anticipated arrival time at the arena. 

009.10  	The ring shall be not less than 17 feet square within the ropes. The ring floor shall extend beyond the ropes not less than 18 inches. The ring floor shall be padded in a manner as approved by the commission. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform. The ring platform shall not be more than four feet above the floor of the building, and shall be provided with suitable steps for use of the contestants. Ring post shall be of metal material, not more than 4 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor. Ring ropes shall be three in number, not less than one inch in diameter, the lower rope 18 inches above the ring floor, the second rope  36 inches above the ring floor, the third rope 54 inches above the ring floor. The ropes and corners shall be padded with material approved by the commission for maximum safety for the contestants. Any exceptions to the ring specifications must be approved in writing from the commission office.

009.11  	A minimum of one commission approved physician shall be present at all times during the scheduled matches, and shall not leave until the last match is concluded. The physician shall be prepared to assist if any serious emergency shall arise, and shall render temporary or emergency treatments for cuts and minor injuries sustained by the contestants. An ambulance with emergency medical personnel and necessary equipment must be continuously on site during the matches in addition to the physician.

009.12  	Disciplinary action for infractions of any rules and regulations by any licensee shall mean suspension or revocation of the license of the offender, forfeiture of the offenders purse, fine, or any combination thereof.

009.13  	Any exceptions or changes to these rules must be specifically approved, in writing, by the Athletic Commissioner. 

CHAPTER 10
010  PROFESSIONAL BOXING RULES

010.01  	Permission must be received from the office before a contestant will be permitted to box an opponent who exceeds the weight allowance as shown except in the case of contract agreements specifically approved by the office:
	191+	Heavyweight			no limit
	190	Cruiserweight		5 lbs.
	175	Light Heavyweight		5 lbs.
	168	Super Middleweight		5 lbs.
	160 	Middleweight			5 lbs.
	154	Junior Middleweight		5 lbs.
	147	Welterweight			5 lbs.
	140	Junior Welterweight		5 lbs.
	135	Lightweight			5 lbs.
	130	Junior Lightweight		5 lbs.
	126	Featherweight		5 lbs.
	122	Junior Featherweight	5 lbs.
	118	Bantamweight		5 lbs.
	115	Junior Bantamweight	5 lbs.
	112	Flyweight			5 lbs.
	108	Junior Flyweight		5 lbs.
	105	Straw weight			5 lbs.

010.02  	Professional contestants must have been in training for a minimum of 30 days prior to being issued a license, and approved to compete in a boxing match. No contestant under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to participate in a professional boxing match without written parent/guardian permission. Such written notice must be on file, and verified by the office a minimum of fifteen days prior to the scheduled event. He/she shall not be permitted to box in any contest scheduled for more than four rounds for his/her first four matches. and shall not be permitted to compete in any match of more than six rounds until he/she has participated in ten or more professional bouts. "No decision" or exhibition bouts, will not be approved for any licensed events, stand-by bouts previously approved should be utilized to fill a match. Any exceptions to this provision must be by specific written approval of the athletic commissioner.

010.03  	Professional contestants must present to the commission representative supervising the event at the time of the weigh-ins, his/her Federal Identification card approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions and on file with the national boxing registrar. 

010.04  	No professional boxing match shall be advertised or promoted as a championship match unless it has the specific approval of the state athletic commissioner. No club shall advertise any boxer in the state of Nebraska as a champion or contender in any manner which is false or misleading.

010.05  	Ten rounds shall be the maximum number of rounds for a boxing match, except for a championship match which may not exceed 12 fifteen rounds. Three minutes of boxing will constitute a round, with a rest period of one minute between rounds. Ten seconds before the beginning or the ending of each round the timekeeper shall give warning to the seconds of the contestants by suitable signal. No second shall be in contact with the ring apron, and shall remain seated in the corner until the sounding of the bell ending the round.

010.06  	Any contestant who has participated in a professional bout scheduled for four rounds or more anywhere shall not participate in a boxing contest or exhibition in Nebraska for at least seven days unless specifically authorized by the commissioner. Main event boxing contestants may be required to report and train in public for at least three days in the city where the bout is scheduled to be held at the request of the commissioner.

010.07  	Each boxer on a program shall provide himself with ring attire approved by the commission, and such attire shall include an abdominal guard with protective cup, two pair of trunks of contrasting color, shoes, and an approved custom individually fitted mouthpiece.

010.08  	Hand wraps shall be applied in the dressing room in the presence of a commission representative and a representative of the opponent. Either contestant may waive his privilege of witnessing the wrapping of his opponents hands. One winding of surgeons tape, not over one and one-half inches wide, may be placed directly on the hand to protect that part of the hand near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice but shall not extend within one inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. A single four inch by four inch surgical pad or equivalent material approved by the office, folded in half may be used on the knuckles of each hand for added protection and safety. Single strips of tape not wider than one fourth inch and no longer than three inches may be placed between the knuckles in order to hold the gauze in place. Contestants shall use soft surgical bandage not over two inches wide, and  20 yards in length, held in place by not more than three yards of surgeons adhesive tape shall complete the wrappings for each hand.

010.09  	The gloves shall not be twisted or manipulated in any way by the contestants or their handlers. If a glove breaks or a string becomes untied during the bout, the referee will instruct the timekeeper to take time out while the glove issue is being corrected. All gloves will be checked by a commission representative prior to the start of the bouts and any snagged, torn, or unfit gloves will not be approved for competition by the commission.

010.10  	Preliminary contestants shall be ready to enter the ring immediately after the finish of the preceding bout. Any contestant causing a delay or more than five minutes by not being ready to immediately proceed with his bout when called shall be subject to disciplinary action. Contestants in the main event shall be in the building wherein the bout is to be held and ready to respond for their bout at the scheduled start time of the first match. Any contestant who enters the ring with entry music that contains sexually explicit lyrics or inappropriate language, will subject the contestant and the promoter to disciplinary action to include a fine.  

010.11  	No person other than the contestants and the referee shall enter the ring during the bout. Between rounds, one second may be inside the ring and the other on the ring apron. The club physician may enter the ring if asked by the referee to examine an injury to a contestant. No contestant shall leave the ring during any one minute rest period between rounds.

010.12  	In the case of an intentional foul, the referee may interrupt the bout for the purpose of allowing the injured boxer time to recover, not to exceed five minutes. Any boxer guilty of an intentional foul shall be penalized one or more points as determined by the referee. If the injured boxer is unable to continue, the offending boxer shall be disqualified and his purse held. Disposition of the purse and the penalty to be imposed upon this boxer shall be determined by the commissioner or his designated representative.

010.13  	When a bout is interrupted due to an injury caused by an unintentional foul, the referee in consultation with the ringside physician shall determine whether the boxer who has been fouled can continue. If the referee sees, or if after consultation with the judges, determines that a boxer is unintentionally fouled and if the boxers chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized as a result of a foul, the referee may order the bout to continue after a maximum five minute rest. If the referee and/or the ringside physician determine that the bout may not continue because of an injury as a result of an unintentional foul or because of an injury inflicted by an unintentional foul which later becomes aggravated by fair blows, the bout must be declared a technical draw if the bout is stopped before the bell rings to begin the fifth round. After the bell rings to begin the fifth round, the outcome shall be determined by scoring the completed rounds, and the round in which the referee or ringside physician stopped the bout. When an unintentional foul causes the bout to be interrupted for the purpose of allowing the injured boxer time to recover, the referee shall penalize the boxer guilty of the foul one point.

010.14  	If a contestant falls due to fatigue, or is knocked down by his opponent, he will be allowed ten seconds in which to rise unassisted. When such contestant falls, his opponent shall go to the furthest neutral corner and remain there while the count is being made. A boxer shall be deemed down when any part of his body but his feet is on the floor, or he is hanging helplessly over the ropes. A referee may count a contestant out either on the ropes or on the floor. The referee shall stop counting should the opponent fail to go to such neutral corner, and resume the count where he left off when the opponent goes to the neutral corner. Should a contestant who is down arise before the count of ten is reached, and goes back down immediately without being struck by the opponent, the referee shall resume the count where it was left off. Before a boxer resumes boxing after having been knocked, fallen or slipped to the floor, the referee shall wipe any accumulated debris from the boxers gloves. When a mouthpiece is knocked out, the referee may allow the exchange to continue until there is a break in the action. Timeout shall be called and the mouthpiece rinsed and replaced. No contestant shall be permitted to continue to box without a mouthpiece.

010.15 	A contestant who is knocked to the canvas and is propelled through the ropes onto the ring apron will be given 10 seconds to regain his feet and get back into the ring. The referee shall start the count without waiting for him to reenter the ring. When one boxer has fallen through the ropes, the other boxer shall retire to a designated corner and remain there until ordered to continue the contest by the referee. If a contestant is propelled through the ropes and onto the floor, surrounding tables, etc. clear of the ring, he will be given 20 seconds to get back into the ring and regain his feet, unassisted by any of his corner men. If assisted by his corner men, it may be cause for disqualification. A contestant who deliberately wrestles or throws an opponent from the ring, or who punches him when he/she is partly out of the ring, and prevented by the ropes from assuming a position of defense may be penalized, disqualified, or subject to disciplinary action.

010.16  	In the case of a knockdown, the eight count is mandatory. A contestant who is knocked out, or is TKO'd shall be suspended for a minimum period of forty-five days from participating in any boxing activity. If a contestant is knocked out, or TKO'd in two consecutive bouts, he/she shall be suspended for a minimum period of ninety days from participating in any boxing activity. If a contestant is knocked out, or TKO'd in three consecutive bouts, he/she may, at the discretion of the commissioner, be suspended for a period of one year from participating in any boxing activity. In each of the above cases, the contestant  may be required to undergo a complete physical examination, including an (EEG) Electroencephalogram or brain scan. A contestant who suffers loss of consciousness must have a brain scan and be cleared by a neurologist to return to boxing. Proof of such examinations and medical clearance to compete in a  boxing match must be provided to the office.

010.17  	A contestant who records five consecutive loses, or his/her ability to compete safely is questionable,  may be placed on administrative suspension at the discretion of the athletic commissioner after careful review of the boxers skill level, age and overall record, and a hearing scheduled before the Advisory Committee to determine his/her ability to continue to compete. The decision of the committee may be appealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act as outlined in the General Rules. 
010.18  	The following tactics will be deemed fouls:
	Hitting below the belt or after the bell has terminated the round;
	Hitting an opponent who is down or who is getting up after being down;
	Holding an opponent or deliberately maintaining a clinch;
	Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other hand;
	Butting with the head or shoulder or using a knee;
	Hitting with the laces of the glove or the heal of the hand, the wrist, or 	elbow and all back 	hand blows;
	Hitting or flicking with an open glove, or thumbing;
	Wrestling, hitting on the break or pushing an opponent;
	Spitting out the mouthpiece or going down without being hit;
	Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys;	
	Use of a pivot or rabbit punch;
	Hitting and opponent during intervention by the referee;
	Hitting an opponent who is entangled in the ropes;
	Biting or any un-sportsmanlike conduct;
	Abusive or profane language;
	Failure to obey the referee, or any physical action which may injure a contestant, except by fair 	sportsmanlike boxing, or passive defense by means of double cover and falling intentionally to 	avoid getting hit by the opponent.

010.19  	The referee may penalize a contestant guilty of committing any of the listed fouls by deducting points from his score in the round or rounds such fouls are committed and shall notify the judges between rounds of the foul points deducted; or if in his judgment the foul is of a serious nature, or intentionally inflicted, he may award the bout to the contestant who is fouled.

CHAPTER 11
011 RING

011.01  	The ring shall be not less than sixteen nor more than twenty-five feet square within the ropes and shall be elevated no less than three and one-half feet nor more than four feet from the floor of the building.  Three (3) sets of suitable steps for the use of the contestants and officials shall be provided. The ring post shall be made of metal not less than three inches nor more than four inches in diameter extending from the floor to the height of fifty-eight inches above the ring floor. The ropes shall be connected to the posts with extensions not shorter than eighteen inches.

011.02  	The ropes will be either three or four in number. If three ropes are used, they shall extend in a triple parallel line two, three, and four feet above the ring floor. If four ropes are used, the lower rope shall be eighteen inches above the ring floor, the second thirty inches, the third forty-two inches, and the fourth rope fifty-four inches above the ring floor. The ropes shall not be less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material, with the corners padded with protective covers.

011.03  	The ring floor shall extend beyond the lower rope at least eighteen inches, with twenty-four being preferred. The entire floor and ring apron must be padded with ensolite, felt, matting, or similar material, to be approved by the office, to a thickness of at least one inch. A canvas or similar material covering stretched tightly and laced or fastened to the outer edge of the ring floor shall cover the padding. Boards shall be of sufficient strength for safety and protection of the contestants and officials.

Mixed martial arts may be held in a ring, or cage only or a fenced area. The ring must meet the following specifications for approval in all mixed martial arts events: 

(1) The ring may be no smaller than twenty feet square and no larger than thirty-two feet square within the ropes;

(2) One of the corners must have a blue designation, the corner directly across must have a red designation;
 
(3) The ring floor must extend at least eighteen inches beyond the ropes. The ring floor must be padded with ensolite or a 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 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 and ridges may not be used;
 
(4) The ring platform must no be more than four feet above the floor of the building and must have 3 sets of steps for the use of the contestants and the ringside physician. One set will be placed in the red corner, one set in the blue corner and the third set in a neutral corner where the ringside physician is seated;
(5) 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 fifty-eight inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the commission. Ring posts must be a minimum of eighteen inches away from the ring ropes;
 
(6) There must be five ring ropes, not less than one inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material with the corners padded with protective covers. The lowest rope must be no higher than eight inches from above the ring floor, the second rope shall be eighteen inches above the ring floor, the third rope will be thirty inches above the ring floor, the forth rope will be  forty-two inches above the ring floor, and the fifth rope will be fifty-four inches above the ring floor;
 
(7) During competition there may not be any obstructions or objects, including, without limitation, a   triangular border, on any part of the ring floor; 

The fenced or caged competition area must meet the following specifications for
approval in all mixed martial arts events: 

(1) The cage fenced or caged area must be of circular type dimensions or have a minimum of six equal sides;
 
(2) The two sides opposite from each other must be designated by two different colors, one side will be designated blue and the opposite side will be designated as red; 

(3) The inside dimension of the competition area may be no smaller than twenty feet across and no larger than thirty-two feet across; 

(4) The floor of the cage fenced or caged area must be padded with ensolite or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one inch layer of foam padding, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the fenced or cage area. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges must not be used; 

(5) The platform of the fenced or cage area must not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for use of the contestants, seconds, referee and ringside physician;
 
(6) Fence posts must be made of metal, not more than six inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to between five and seven feet above the floor of the fenced or cage area, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by a commission representative;
 
(7) The fencing used to enclose the fenced or cage area must be made of a material that will prevent a contestant from falling out or breaking through the fenced or cage area onto the floor of the building or onto spectators, including, without limitation, chain link fence coated with vinyl;
 
(8) Any metal portion on the interior of the fenced or cage area must be covered and padded in a manner approved by a commission representative and must not be abrasive in order to prevent injury to the contestants;
 
(9) The fenced or cage area may have one or two entrances. There must be a second safety device attached to the entrances to prevent contestants from accidentally knocking the entrance open during competition, falling out of the cage /fenced area and being injured.  The entrances must be padded so there is no exposed metal on the interior of the cage fence or caged area that could cause injury to the contestants;

(10)	There may be no obstruction of any kind on any part of the fence surrounding the area in which the contestants are competing;
 
(11) Any metal parts used to re-enforce the cage walls fenced or caged area wall must be positioned as to not interfere with the safety of the contestants and upon inspection may require padding at the discretion of the commission representative for the safety of the contestants;
 
The club/promoter is required to have a minimum of one person assigned to maintain the sanitation of the ring competition area. That person will have at his disposal a cleaning solution of at least ten per cent bleach and ninety percent water to be used to clean up blood and debris in the cage or ring. Commercial cleaning agents (example: wrestling mat cleaner) may be used that will not irritate the skin, eyes or lungs of the contestants or anyone else associated with the event.

011.04  	The bell shall be of sufficient loudness and clarity to be heard above the noise of the crowd. If a buzzer is used, it shall be of similar distinctive loudness and clarity. The ten second warning may be by whistle or buzzer.

011.05  	The ringside spectator seats or tables shall not be closer than eight feet from the edge of the ring. The ringside area shall be under the control and jurisdiction of the commissioner or the inspector assigned to supervise the event, and is for the use of the designated working officials, contestants, seconds, judges, referees, physician, announcer, and media representatives. Club license holders are responsible to see that the working area is controlled and free of nonessential individuals. The commissioner, inspectors, timekeeper, and announcer will be seated next to each other. Dangerous items such as upright trophies standing on tables next to the ring must be removed for the safety of the contestants.

CHAPTER 12
012  GLOVES

012.01  	Contestants in all weights up to and including the welterweight class shall wear no less than ten ounce gloves. In heavier classes, contestants shall wear no less than twelve ounce gloves. Elimination bout/tournament contestants will wear no less than 16 ounce gloves. Professional MMA contestants must wear gloves that weigh not less than 4 oz. and not more than 8 oz. Amateur MMA contestants must wear gloves that weigh not less than 6 oz. and not more than 8 oz. and both MMA contestants must wear the same size gloves. When two contestants differ in weight classes, the contestants shall wear the gloves required for the higher weight classification. All gloves will be examined and approved by the commission, and if any padding is found to be lumpy or misplaced, the gloves are imperfect or ill-fitting, they will be discarded before the contest starts. No breaking, skinning, roughing or twisting of the gloves shall be permitted. All gloves shall be whole, clean, and in sanitary condition and subject to inspection by the referee or commission at any time. All gloves will be cleaned and sanitized after each bout paying special attention to any dried blood or foreign material prior to being used again on any subsequent bouts. 

012.02  	All gloves will be furnished by the club and shall be new or in good condition subject to approval of the commission. All main event, and bouts of six rounds or more shall use new gloves. Any exception to this chapter must be approved in writing by the Commissioner.

CHAPTER 13
013 INSPECTOR

013.01  	The inspector shall be present during the physical examinations and weigh-ins, and should be present when ticket sales begin and the doors are opened for customers. He shall not leave before the tickets and receipts have been counted and all athletic tax and license fees due the state have been collected. 

013.02  	Inspectors may not be interested in the management of any contestant, nor act as a referee, timekeeper, judge, or second at any licensed event. The inspector shall see that all rules are strictly observed and he will also supervise the counting of all receipts.

013.03  	Before the start of each bout the inspector will give the referee to be handed out to the judges official athletic commission score cards. The judges will score each round of the bout on the scorecard, sign it, returning the card to the referee who shall deliver the completed cards to the scoring judge, commissioner or inspector. 

013.04  	The scorecards may be shown only to accredited news media representatives. Individuals wishing to see the scorecards shall be informed that when the cards are returned to the commission office, they will become public information. The scorecards must at all times remain in the control and custody of the commissioner or inspector, who shall mail or deliver them with all completed inspectors reports, including tax and license fees to the office within five days following the bouts. An official receipt book is provided for all money collected and licenses issued.

013.05  	The commissioner or inspector may assist the amateur matchmaker in matching the contestants and the handling of the bouts. He shall inspect and approve the facility, ring, scales, gloves and all other equipment necessary for the conduct of the event as mentioned in these rules.
013.06  	Within 48 hours of the completion of the bouts, the inspector must report the results, including all suspensions, to the office in order that they may be entered into the certified federal registry. in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Professional Boxing Safety Act, as amended. 

013.07  	The inspector may have complete supervision of sale of tickets, ticket boxes, entrance doors and exits. The inspector shall at all times have complete supervision of all licensees with the exception, the inspector will have control of the referee only when the referee is not officiating in the ring.

CHAPTER 14
014  PHYSICIAN

014.01  	A physician licensed by the office, shall be in charge of pre-bout and post-bout physical examinations for all boxing and mixed martial arts contestants. No bout shall start unless the physician is seated at ringside, and he shall not leave until all contestants boxers have left the venue.  He shall be prepared to assist if any serious emergency shall arise, and shall render temporary or emergency treatments for cuts and minor injuries sustained by the contestants. An ambulance with emergency personnel shall be continually at the venue during the bouts. In the event that the ambulance has to leave the venue, the bouts will be temporarily stopped until the return of the ambulance.

014.02  	A pre-bout Thorough physical, and eye examinations will be given to all contestants and  shall include as a minimum the following: weight, temperature, pulse (sitting and standing), lungs, blood pressure, heart, venereal disease, urine analysis (when deemed necessary), scrotal evidence of hernia, eyes, and general physical condition. Female examinations will be in accordance with Chapter 8, Female Boxers, sec. 008.03.

014.03  	The physical examinations shall be conducted a minimum of two  hours before the scheduled start of the bouts. Referees also shall be given a physical examination before officiating at any scheduled event. Any contestant or referee deemed to be unfit to participate by the physician will be disqualified and the club notified immediately.

014.04  	It is recommended that all ringside physicians attend boxing related Continuing Medical Education Courses.

CHAPTER 15
015  MATCHMAKER

015.01  	A licensed matchmaker is required for all professional boxing, amateur and professional mixed martial arts bouts, elimination bouts and wrestling events. A club license holder may act as his own matchmaker if found to be qualified after applying. An official Matchmakers Application form shall be obtained from the office, and when completed, must be submitted for review with the appropriate  fee before a license will be approved by the Commissioner.

015.02  	The office reserves the right to question any applicant for a matchmakers license; and, if in its judgment the applicant does not have sufficient knowledge of the sport or is otherwise not deemed responsible to act, such license shall be refused.

015.03  	If the matchmaker is employed by a club or licensee, in such case the matchmaker and the club or licensee shall jointly be responsible to the office for matches made, and for the contracts, bout permit applications, bond, license fees, taxes, and compliance with the state laws, rules and regulations. Professional matches shall be made only by a licensed matchmaker.

015.04  	The duties of the matchmaker shall be to arrange the bouts, attend the weighing and physical examinations, match the contestants as to weight and experience. The promoter/matchmaker shall be subject to disciplinary action for a match in which one of the contestants is disproportionately outclassed, and persistent lack of judgment by a promoter/matchmaker in arranging matches shall be regarded as sufficient grounds for disciplinary action. See that all required equipment is in place, and the bouts start at the scheduled start time. The promoter/matchmaker shall not perform the duties of a second, referee, judge, announcer or timekeeper at any event for which they are licensed. If the bouts don't start at the advertised and scheduled start time, after the show is thirty minutes late, it will be left to the judgment of the commissioner or inspector supervising the event to cancel or allow the show to move forward. The incident will be documented, and any further violations will result in disciplinary action as determined by the commissioner.  While the bouts are in progress he shall work with the commissioner or inspector and will be directly responsible to the office for the club he represents.
CHAPTER 16
016 TIMEKEEPER

016.01  	The club shall provide the timekeeper with a stop watch or timer, a bell, and a whistle or buzzer which he will sound ten seconds before the start of each round in boxing matches.

016.02  	It is the responsibility of the timekeeper to keep accurate time of all bouts. He shall keep an exact record of the time taken out at the request of the referee for an examination of a contestant by the physician, replacing a glove, or adjusting any equipment during a round and report the exact time of the bout being stopped.

016.03  	The timekeeper shall be impartial, and not signal interested parties at any time during a bout the amount of time remaining in a round.

CHAPTER 17
017  SECONDS

017.01  	The office reserves the right to refuse an application for a seconds license when, in the judgment of the office, such applicant is either not qualified or is not deemed responsible to so act. The office will, not issue a license to any person to act as a second unless the applicant has reached the age of eighteen.

017.02  	Unless special permission is given by the office, the seconds shall not be more than two in number, one of whom will announce to the referee at the start of the bout that he is the chief second. Only one second shall be inside the ring between rounds, the other may be on the ring platform outside the ropes.

017.03  	Seconds shall not enter the ring until the timekeeper indicates the termination of the round and they shall leave when the timekeeper gives the ten second warning before the beginning of each round. If the chief second or anyone for whom he is responsible enters the ring before the bell ending the round has sounded, the contestant may be disqualified and the violator subject to disciplinary action as determined by the office.

017.04  	The chief second of a contestant may toss a towel into the ring as a token of defeat and must also mount the ring apron and attract the attention of the referee indicating the retirement of his boxer. He shall not enter the ring unless the referee stops the bout and shall not interfere with a count that is in progress.

017.05 	While the bout is in progress, coaching, or signaling to the contestants by the seconds should be kept to a minimum. After leaving the ring the seconds shall be seated on stools or chairs and remain seated and should remain silent. They shall not stand or lean on the ring apron during the round. Violators will be removed from the corner and subject to disciplinary action.

017.06  	A wet sponge or spray mist bottle may be used between rounds to refresh the contestants. Excess water or ice on the ring floor shall be wiped up at once by the seconds. Water discharged from the mouth of a contestant shall be caught  in a bucket or other device furnished for that purpose. Before leaving the ring at the start of each round the seconds shall remove all obstructions, buckets, stools, bottles, towels and robes from the ring floor and ropes. Sports drinks may be used in the corners only after inspection and approval by the inspector supervising the bouts. The containers must remain sealed until opened in the corner under the supervision of a commission representative. Any previously opened sports drink containers will not be allowed into the corner.

017.07  	Seconds shall not smoke in the ring or corners, and shall be neatly attired while working the contestants corner.

017.08  	Violations of any of the above provisions will be followed by the immediate ejection of the guilty party or parties from the ring corner, and disciplinary action as assessed by the commissioner.

CHAPTER 18
018  MANAGERS

018.01  	The office will recognize a contract between a manager and a contestant when a copy of said contract has been filed with the office and an administrative fee of twenty five dollars has been paid. The contracts shall be on official commission forms supplied by the office. No manager shall be allowed to contract for the services of a boxer under his management for a match to take place on a date after the expiration of the contract between the boxer and  manager. 

018.02  	The office reserves the right to question any applicant for a managers license, and if in its judgment the applicant does not have sufficient knowledge of the sport or is otherwise not deemed responsible to act, such license will be denied.

CHAPTER 19
019  JUDGES

019.01  	There shall be three judges, for professional boxing, amateur and professional mixed martial arts and three or five judges as required by amateur rules, for amateur boxing. The referee shall have no voice in the selection of the winner.

019.02  	The judges shall sit alone at ringside and will reach their decision without conferring in any manner with any other official or person. Each judge shall make out his scorecard to the best of their ability and in accordance with the provisions of the rules governing amateur and professional boxing, amateur and professional mixed martial arts. At the end of the amateur bout the score shall be totaled and signed by the judge and the winners name circled and entered in the appropriate space provided on the scorecard. Scorecards not filled out in their entirety will be returned by the referee to the errant judge for correction. The name of the referee working a particular bout will be entered on the card and signed by the referee when appropriate. The referee will collect the cards from the judges, check them for accuracy and hand them to the commissioner or inspector. Individual round scorecards and a master score sheet may be used at the discretion of the commissioner for professional bouts and amateur and professional mixed martial arts bouts.

019.03  	Judges of amateur bouts must attend and successfully complete the certification program as determined by the governing body for amateur boxing by public law and will be under the control and jurisdiction of the office. The commissioner or inspector reserves the right to remove a judge if it is deemed , in their judgment, that the judge is inefficient or is otherwise deemed not responsible to act. In amateur contests a winner must be named, draws are not permitted.
019.04  	Prior to the event, the club licensee shall furnish the names of the judges to be  considered for assignment by  the commissioner from the list of certified officials maintained by the commission office. Any official that has not completed an approved certification program will not be considered for assignment at any licensed event. All applicants for a judges license must attend and successfully complete either the Association of Boxing Commissions, or the State of Nebraska Certification program. All applicants will be required to take and pass a written test administered by the State of Nebraska or the Association of Boxing Commissions at the conclusion of the certification program. All officials will be assigned and the fee for services rendered will be set by the commissioner and paid by the licensed organization, any changes or substitutions must be approved in writing by the Athletic Commissioner. The office reserves the right to question any applicant for a professional judges license; and if, in its judgment, the applicant does not have sufficient knowledge of the sport or is otherwise not deemed responsible to act, such license may be denied.

019.05  	The referees, judges, and inspectors shall familiarize themselves with and review the method to be used when scoring either amateur or professional boxing and amateur and professional mixed martial arts matches. Professional contest and all mixed martial arts bouts shall be scored to determine the winner through the use of the ten point must system. In this system the winner of each round receives ten points and the opponent a proportionately less number. If the round is even, each boxer receives ten points. No fraction of points may be given. The amateur system to be used will be determined by the nationally recognized sanctioning body.

019.06  	Official State of Nebraska, State Athletic Commission scorecards shall be used and retained in the custody of the commissioner or inspector present, who will transmit them to the office for safekeeping. The exception will be in the case of amateur advancing tournaments, the scorecards will be delivered to the state, regional or national representative at the conclusion of the matches.

CHAPTER 20
020  REFEREE

020.01  	The referee is charged with the enforcement of all rules and regulations of the office which apply to the execution of performance, and the conduct of contestants seconds while he is in the ring. Prior to being licensed, a referee must satisfy the office that he has read and understands the state laws, rules and regulations covering amateur and professional boxing, amateur and professional mixed martial arts in Nebraska, also the rules of the various amateur sanctioning bodies. All applicants for a referees license must attend and successfully complete either the Association of Boxing Commissions, or the State of Nebraska Certification program. All applicants will be required to take and pass a written test administered by the State of Nebraska or the Association of Boxing Commissions at the conclusion of the certification program.  All applicants for a referees license must present to the office a physical examination by a licensed physician determining medical fitness to perform. Similar qualifications may be applied to professional wrestling referees. Referees shall not wear glasses of any kind while refereeing a bout. The office reserves the right to deny or revoke a license if, in its judgment, the applicant has diminished skills and reflexes, or does not have sufficient knowledge or expertise of the sport or is otherwise not deemed responsible to act.

020.02  	Before starting each bout the referee will check each judge and the timekeeper to determine if they are ready and will also ascertain the name of the chief second in each corner and shall hold him responsible for all conduct in the corners. The referee shall warn the seconds of violations of second rules, and if they do not comply, the referee shall warn them that further violations will result in disqualification of their contestant, and disciplinary action as determined by the commissioner. The referee should instruct the judges to mark their scorecards accordingly when he has assessed a foul upon one of the contestant.

020.03  	The club may submit the names of potential referees from the list of certified officials maintained by the commission office. Any referee that has not completed an approved certification program may not be considered for assignment at any licensed event. The office will assign the referees and its decision shall be final. The fee for services rendered will be fixed by the commissioner and shall be paid by the licensed organization. Any changes or substitutions must be approved in writing by the Athletic Commissioner.

020.04  	The referee shall stop a bout whenever he deems it advisable because of the physical condition of one or both of the contestants, or when one of the contestants is clearly out-classed by his opponent, or whenever he decides that a contestant is not making his best efforts, or for any other reason he deems sufficient. In the event of serious cuts, the referee shall summon the ringside physician and the physician shall decide if the bout should be stopped.

020.05  	The referee shall recommend to the commissioner or inspector present, the forfeiture of all or any part of a contestants purse whenever, in the referees judgment, such contestant is not performing in good faith.

020.06  	The referee shall inspect the gloves and the hand-wraps of the contestants in all main events and make sure that no foreign substances have been applied to the gloves or bodies of the contestants that might be detrimental to an opponent. In preliminary bouts, when the gloves are adjusted in the dressing rooms, he will inspect the gloves, hand-wraps, and bodies of the contestants.

020.07  	The contestants in all bouts will be instructed by the referee to shake hands after his final instructions and not to do so again until the start of the last round.

020.08  	The referee may not act in any other capacity with any bout. He should be  excluded from working voting in any bout involving contestants with whom he has worked as manager, trainer, etc.

020.09  	The referee shall deliver the official scorecards to the judges and collect them after each round and hand them to the commissioner or inspector. When picking up the scorecards form the judges, the referee shall quickly glance at the cards to make sure that they are properly filled out, and signed by the judges in the spaces provided.

020.10  	The referee shall insure that a bout moves to its proper completion. It should be stopped or completed, not delayed, except in the cases of damaging fouls. Delaying and avoiding tactics should be avoided, and the contestants who employs such tactics should be penalized in the scoring. Waivers to the three knockdown rule may be granted only by the commissioner. The waiver, if granted, shall not interfere with the referees or physicians judgment that the fight should be stopped at any time.

020.11  	When a contestant is knocked down as a result of a punch, the referee shall order the opponent to a neutral corner and immediately pick up the count from the timekeeper. He shall audibly announce the passing of the count. The contestant may take the eight count either on the floor or standing. The referees count is the official count. Should the opponent fail to stay in the neutral corner the referee shall cease the count until he has returned to it, and then the referee shall go on with the count from the point from which it was interrupted.  

020.12  	When a fallen contestant rises and falls again, without being hit again, the referee shall continue the original count, rather than starting a new count. If the bell rings ending the round during the count, the count shall continue, a contestant cannot be saved by the bell in any round. 

020.13  	The referee shall give a contestant an eight count when, in his opinion, the contestant has suffered severe punishment and could be injured more seriously in not given the count. During the eight count the referee should assess the condition of the fighter and either allow him to continue or stop the bout. 

020.14  	The eight count is mandatory in case of a knockdown and no contestant may resume fighting until the referee has finished counting eight.  During any count the opponent shall go to the farthest neutral corner and remain there until the referee signals the bout is to be continued or stopped.

020.15  	If the contestant taking the count is still down when the referee calls the count of ten or if during the count, it is  the opinion of the referee the  contestant who was knocked down is in no condition to continue, the referee shall wave both arms to indicate a knockout and the bout is stopped.

020.16  	If both contestants are knocked down at the same time, counting shall be continued as long as one of them is still down. If both contestants remain down until the count of ten the contest shall be stopped and the decision shall be a technical draw.

020.17  	In assessing fouls, the referee must weigh the cause as well as the act. When a foul is unintentionally inflicted, but intentionally received, it should be applied to the deliberate recipient. If a  contestant has received a low blow (punch below the belt line), the referee shall, if he has seen the foul blow delivered, use his discretion, and if the blow was of damaging effect , may permit a rest period to the recipient not to exceed five minutes. During the rest period, seconds or handlers may not assist or coach the injured contestant . The offending  contestant shall go to a neutral corner and may not be coached during the period. If the offended   contestant refuses to continue after the five minute rest period, his opponent may be named the winner. The referee will give the appropriate command after the end of the rest period and then give an official warning for a low blow to the offending contestant if the contestant who received the low blow indicates he is ready to continue the contest.

020.18  	A contestant cannot be named the winner of a bout as a result of receiving a low blow unless, in the opinion of the referee, the blow was delivered deliberately and was of such force to seriously incapacitate the offended  contestant so that he could not continue. Under this condition, the offender shall be disqualified immediately.

020.19  	The referee shall warn or penalize a contestant who uses the ropes, or deliberately spits out his mouthpiece, or uses other unfair means to gain advantage. The referee shall not permit unfair practices that may cause injuries to contestant, and are held strictly responsible for the enforcement of the rules. The only fair blow is a blow delivered with the padded knuckle part of the glove on the front or sides of the head and body above the hip line. After sufficient warning has been given the referee shall punish the violator for persistent disregard of the rules.

020.20  	Whenever a contestant has been injured seriously, knocked out, or technically knocked out, the referee shall immediately summon the attending ring physician to aid the fallen contestant. Managers, seconds, and handlers shall not be permitted to attend the fallen contestant, except at the request of the physician. A contestant who suffers loss of consciousness must have a brain scan and be cleared by a neurologist to return to boxing or amateur or professional mixed martial arts. A contestant who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round, including the last round.

CHAPTER 21
021  MEDICAL INSURANCE/DEATH BENEFIT 

021.01  	No licensee may promote, organize, produce , or  participate in a professional wrestling or boxing match, amateur or professional mixed martial arts match or elimination bout in the State of Nebraska without providing Health Insurance to provide medical coverage for injuries sustained in the match. The Benefit Period under the policy will be a minimum of 52 weeks from the date of the injury. Such insurance coverage shall provide medical coverage for reimbursement to the licensed  contestant for medical, surgical and hospital care, with a minimum  medical benefit of $10,000 dollars $2,500 for injuries sustained while participating in any program operated under the control of such licensee. Accordingly, the  coverage will  provide for a  contestants medical expenses incurred for up to 1 year from the date of the injury provided that the physician indicates that the injuries are a result of the  contestants participation in the covered event. The first such expense must be incurred within  (7) seven days after the date of the injury accident.  The coverage will include but will not be limited to direct expenses of medical and surgical treatment, radiology (X-rays), emergency aid and ambulance service to the nearest hospital,  dental treatment of sound natural teeth, prescription drugs and medicines, operations and physical therapy, orthopedic appliances necessary to promote healing, hospital care and service in semi-private accommodations, or an outpatient, arising directly from injuries incurred during a  contest approved by the Nebraska Athletic Commission. The club will be responsible for paying any deductible amounts. The schedule of benefits and a copy of the policy must be on file in the office prior to the issuance of a  permit.  The commission may from time to time, and its discretion increase the amount of such minimum limits .  

021.02	The licensee/promoter will provide a minimum death benefit in the amount of $10,000 dollars $5000 for each professional boxer and professional wrestler, a minimum death benefit in the amount of $10,000 will be provided for all amateur and professional mixed martial arts contestants and elimination bout contestants. A copy of the policy must be on file in the commission office prior to the issuance of a permit for a scheduled event.

CHAPTER 22
022	ELIMINATION BOUTS/TOURNAMENTS

022.01 	All current applicable sections pertaining to the General Rules and Regulations, Clubs, License and Fees, Permits, Contracts, Tickets, Female Boxing Rules, Professional Boxing Rules, Ring Standards, Inspectors, Physician, Matchmaker, Timekeeper, Seconds, Managers, Judges, Referees and Medical Insurance in addition to these special provisions for elimination bouts/tournaments will be in effect, and within statutory limitations, the commissioner shall be responsible for the interpretation of the rules and regulations.

022.02	For the purpose of this section “Elimination Bouts/Tournaments” shall mean bouts in which participants have limited boxing skills. Such participants shall engage in the use of boxing techniques using fists only where the object is to win the contest by a decision, technical knockout (TKO) or knockout (KO).
A contestant may not participate if they have:
	A)	been a competitor in professional boxing or professional 				kickboxing.
	B)	been a winner of  more that five (5) of any combination of amateur 		bouts, amateur kickboxing, or elimination bouts in the past five (5) 			year	
	C)	been a winner of an elimination tournament in the past twelve (12) 		months, unless the event is restricted to winners of previous 			elimination tournaments.
Competing for or winning a prize in an elimination tournament shall not deem the participants a professional within the scope of these rules.
 
022.03	Elimination tournaments may be a one (1) or two (2) night event, however the participants are not allowed to participate in more than one (1) match the first night of a two (2) night elimination tournament. Winning contestants may participate in a maximum of 2 bouts only the second night of a two (2) night event with a minimum of a thirty (30) minute rest interval between matches. During the 30 minute rest interval, the contestant must be checked and cleared by the attending ringside physician to compete in the next match. All contestants must undergo pre-bout and post-bout physicals. The decision of the physician is final.
 
022.04	Elimination tournament bouts shall consist of three (3), one (1) minute rounds with a one (1) minute rest period between each round. Each round will be judged on a ten (10) point must system by three (3) commission approved ringside officials. The referee or the ringside physician may stop a bout if, in the judgment of either, allowing the bout to continue may jeopardize the health and safety of a participant.

022.05	Elimination tournaments shall be a single elimination event with the participant who lost not being allowed to participate in the same program of bouts, and any contestant who is knocked down three (3) times in the same round shall be declared the loser of the bout. A contestant who is knocked out (KO), will not be allowed to participate in any future elimination tournament bouts. Should a bout be declared a draw, the judges will re-evaluate their scorecards and select a winner. 

022.06	All contestants must have been in training for a minimum of 45 days prior to the scheduled event and must be approved to compete in the match. Bouts between male and female contestants will not be permitted. 

022.07	Each contestant must present to the commission representative at the time of the scheduled weight-ins and license application, two forms of identification. One form of identification must be a photo identification with the date of birth and social security number. The contestant must provide to the commission representative one (1) color passport type photo with the application for license. No applicant under the age of eighteen (18) will be permitted to compete in elimination bouts/tournaments. 

022.08	Each participant shall submit to and complete a pre-bout medical examination performed by a commission approved ringside physician before the elimination tournament begins. Female contestants must provide a negative pregnancy test prior to being approved to participate in accordance with Chapter 8, section 008.03. If the ringside physician determines a participant is unfit to compete for any reason, that participant shall not participate in the elimination tournament. The physicals shall be performed at the location of the event unless an alternate location is approved by the commission.  

022.09	No contestant shall be allowed to participate if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  The commission may require elimination tournament participants to submit to an alcohol, anti-doping exam or a urine test at any time.

022.10	The ringside physician shall be seated near the steps at ringside; the ringside physician shall remain at ringside at all times during the bouts and shall perform post-bout medical evaluations of all participants on forms approved and supplied by the Commission. 

022.11	A contestant will not be allowed to participate while wearing any type of body piercing, contact lenses, glasses, dentures or any type of removable dental work. A contestant with dental braces may compete if the contestant wears a custom fitted mouthpiece covering the entire brace. A participants hair will be cut or arranged in such a manner as not to interfere with the participants vision, but not secured with pins or a hair net.

022.12	There shall be three (3) weight classes for male and female contestants:
	A)	Super-middleweight, up to 159 lbs.
	B)	Cruiserweight, 160 up to 184 lbs.
	C)	Heavyweight, 185 and up
The promoter may add additional weight classes to the event if participants in other weight classes apply to compete with the expressed approval of the Commissioner.

022.13	Each promoter shall provide all necessary ringside equipment to include at a minimum; sufficient buckets for contestants, stools for contestants, rubber gloves for the referees, seconds, ringside physician and commission representatives, tables and seating at ringside for working officials only, scales, bell and public address system. The promoter will insure that there is sufficient dressing rooms for each gender and a room for physical examinations. A separate room shall be provided for officials unless the physical arrangements of the venue will not allow for the additional room.

022.14	The licensee will arrange for an ambulance to be on site with emergency medical personnel and proper resuscitation equipment. In the event that the ambulance has to leave the venue to transport and injured participant, the bouts will be temporarily stopped until the return of the ambulance. No bouts will be conducted without the ambulance being at the venue.

022.15	No licensee may promote, organize, produce, or participate in an elimination bout/tournament in the State of Nebraska without providing Health Insurance to provide medical coverage for injuries sustained in the match. The Benefit Period under the policy will be a minimum of 52 weeks from the date of the injury. Such insurance coverage shall provide medical coverage for reimbursement to the licensed  contestant for medical, surgical and hospital care, with a minimum  medical benefit of $10,000 dollars $5,000 for injuries sustained while participating in any program operated under the control of such licensee. Accordingly, the  coverage will  provide for a  contestants medical expenses incurred for up to 1 year from the date of the injury provided that the physician indicates that the injuries are a result of the  contestants participation in the covered event. The first such expense must be incurred within  (7) seven days after the date of the injury accident.  The coverage will include but will not be limited to direct expenses of medical and surgical treatment, radiology (X-rays), emergency aid and ambulance service to the nearest hospital,  dental treatment of sound natural teeth, prescription drugs and medicines, operations and physical therapy, orthopedic appliances necessary to promote healing, hospital care and service in semi-private accommodations, or an outpatient, arising directly from injuries incurred during a  contest approved by the Nebraska Athletic Commission.  

022.16	The licensee/promoter will be responsible for paying all deductible amounts. The schedule of benefits and a copy of the policy must be on file in the commission office prior to the issuance of the elimination bouts/tournament permit.  The commission may from time to time, and its discretion increase the amount of such minimum limits   

022.17	The licensee/promoter will provide a minimum death benefit in the amount of $10,000 for each participant. A copy of the policy must be on file in the commission office prior to the issuance of the elimination bouts/tournament permit.

022.18	The licensee/promoter will provide a general liability insurance policy to protect the public and all officials. Adequate security as required by the facility will be provided by the licensee/promoter with a minimum of one State of Nebraska certified uniformed law enforcement officer (State Police, Deputy Sheriff or City Police Officer).

022.19	The promoter may act as the matchmaker for the purposes of arranging bouts, and may request the Commission to not allow a contestant to participate due to conduct or safety and when approved by the Commission, the contestant in question shall be banned from participating in the scheduled event.

022.20	The promoter will provide at a minimum, 16 oz. boxing gloves, abdominal /pelvic protectors for male and females, breast protectors for females, and headgear which shall be worn by all contestants. The gloves and headgear will be checked by the commission representative and will not be torn, cut, twisted, mutilated, and must be in good condition, the decision of the commission representative will be final.

022.21	Seconds are warned to be extremely careful in dealing with bodily fluids of participants (saliva, blood, etc.). Do not share towels, sponges or anything that could transmit fluids from one participant to another, especially if there is an open wound. The sharing of one sponge, towel or water bottle for all participants is strictly prohibited.

022.22	All contestants must agree to abide by the Laws, Rules and Regulations for the Government of Boxing in Nebraska. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Athletic Commission or his designated representative. Anything not covered in these special elimination bout/tournament rules will be governed by the professional rules or by the decision of the Athletic Commissioner.

CHAPTER 23
023 HEALTH AND SAFETY

023.01	The Nebraska Athletic Commission requires at the time of original licensing for all professional contestants or license renewal, that all professional applicants for licensing must complete an annual physical examination and neurological examination by a qualified doctor of medicine (MD). All professional applicants for original licensing or license renewal, must undergo an annual eye examination. The results of the physical examination and eye examination must be on file in the commission office prior to issuing an original license to professional contestants, or renewing a current license.

The Athletic Commission recommends that all amateur contestants undergo an annual physical and eye examination.

The commission will not issue a license or renew any applicants license who is found to be blind in one eye or whose vision in one eye is so poor that an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician recommends that a license not be granted regardless of how good the vision of the contestant may be in the other eye.

The commission will not issue a license or renew the license of any applicants who has suffered from any type of cerebral hemorrhage. 

All cost incurred for any and all required testing will be the responsibility of the applicant.  
023.02	The Commission may require anti-doping test for illegal controlled substances on all contestants who are participating in a scheduled event. All contestants may be required to provide urine samples prior to entering the ring to compete.

023.03	The ambulance required continuously at the venue with emergency personnel, must have equipment to aid the ringside physician in the event of an injury to the contestants. The ringside physician will be assisted by a minimum of one EMT and one Para-medic.

023.04	The ringside physician must have at his disposal at ringside, resuscitation equipment in addition to his personal medical equipment and supplies. The physician shall be seated in a neutral corner along with the Ambulance Personnel, EMT and Paramedic along with their medical equipment.

023.05	In addition to pre-bout physical examinations during the weigh-ins, all contestants must undergo a post-bout examination following the bout in which the contestant participated by the ringside physician. The results of the post-bout examination will be documented on a Commission approved medical form and signed by the physician conducting the examination.

023.06	Any contestant who has sustained any severe injury or actual knockout in a bout shall receive appropriate medical examination and treatment. Such examination may include any or all of the procedures as directed by the ringside physician and/or the commission. The commission may suspend such contestant until he is fully recovered and, similarly, may extend the suspension already imposed until such time as the contestant has been examined and cleared to return to boxing by a medical doctor (MD).

023.07	In the event of any serious physical injury, the ringside physician shall immediately render any emergency treatment necessary, recommend further treatment or hospitalization if required. The ringside physician may also require the injured contestant to remain in the ring or on the premises or report to a hospital after the contest for such time period as he deems advisable.

023.08	It is recommended that Bio-hazard bags/containers be placed in the corners and in the dressing rooms. Seconds are cautioned to be extremely careful in dealing with bodily fluids of participants (saliva, blood, etc.). Do not share towels, sponges or anything that could transmit fluids from one participant to another, especially if there is an open wound. The sharing of one sponge, towel or water bottle for all participants is strictly prohibited.

023.09	If a contestant suffers a loss of consciousness, the contestant must have a brain scan and be cleared by a neurologist to return to competition.

023.10	In the case of a cut, only the topical use of the following is allowed:
			a.	A solution of adrenaline 1/1000
			b.	Avetine
			c. 	Thrombin
All other solutions are prohibited.

023.11	All applicants for a professional boxers, professional wrestlers, amateur or professional mixed martial arts contestants and elimination bout contestants license must submit at the time of application for initial licensure and annually thereafter; results of a negative tests for the HIV Virus, Hepatitis C Antibody and Hepatitis B Virus, and within 15 days of license renewal, or as otherwise directed by the Commission. The testing for the HIV Virus, Hepatitis C Antibody and Hepatitis B Virus may be conducted at a certified laboratory of his/her choice. Failure to  submit the original or certified copy of the laboratory test results to the Commission a minimum of 14 days prior to a scheduled event will result in the ineligibility of the applicant to participate unless other arrangements have been made and approved in writing by the commissioner. The applicant is responsible for securing and paying for any, and all medical testing required by the commission.

CHAPTER 24

024 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA)

024.01	By state statute, all amateur and professional MMA contest and exhibitions shall be conducted under the supervision of the Nebraska Athletic Commission and pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted and approved by the commission.

For purposes of this chapter, mixed martial arts, commonly referred to as MMA, means an unarmed combat sport in which two competitors seek to achieve dominance over each other by utilizing a combination of permitted martial arts techniques from disciplines of martial arts, including, but not limited to, grappling, kicking and striking. 

“Amateur” shall mean bouts in which participants have limited skills. “Professional” shall mean a contestant who is, or has been paid for his/her performance. Any competitor who has been paid a fee for services is considered a professional and may not compete as an amateur under any circumstances.

No person under the age of eighteen years of age will be permitted to participate in MMA events at any level, amateur, professional or exhibition. All amateur MMA contestants must be affiliated with a club and the trainer is responsible for and must verify the competitors competence to compete.  

Any club, matchmaker or person who uses or causes to be used any amateur contestant in any  MMA contest without first ascertaining whether the participant is old enough to compete as a qualified amateur,  shall be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the commissioner to include suspension, fine, or both.  

024.02	All current applicable sections pertaining to the General Rules and Regulations, Clubs, License and Fees, Permits, Contracts, Tickets, Ring Standards, Inspectors, Physician, Matchmaker, Timekeeper, Seconds, Managers, Judges, Referees and Medical Insurance in addition to these special provisions for MMA will be in effect, and within statutory limitations, the commissioner shall be responsible for the interpretation of the rules and regulations.

024.03	All MMA competitors will be required to have a minimum of (5) five recorded amateur bouts prior to being licensed/permitted to compete as a professional. A competitor may request a waiver from the commissioner for the 5 bout requirement. A contestant may not participate as an amateur if they have:
	A)	been a competitor in any professional striking sport to include but 			not limited to professional boxing or professional kickboxing.

	B)	received a fee/purse for competing as a professional in any MMA 			event.

Competing for or winning a prize other than cash, in an MMA event shall not deem the participants a professional within the scope of these rules. Expenses for amateur contestants shall be limited to actual expenses, including deductible amounts for any covered injuries and shall be paid by the club hosting the event.

024.04	MMA bouts shall consist of: 
	A)	amateurs;	three (3) rounds of (3) three minutes duration with a 			sixty second rest period between each round with a ten second 			warning signal prior to the 	start of the next round. 
		1)	amateur championship bouts;    three (3) rounds of (4) four 				minutes duration with a sixty second rest period between 				each round with a ten second warning signal prior to the 				start of the next round.

	B)	professionals;  three (3) rounds of (5) five minutes duration with a 			(60) sixty second rest period between each round with a (15) 			fifteen second warning signal prior to the start of the next round. 
		1)	professional championship bouts;	  five (5) rounds of (5) five 			minutes duration with a (60) sixty second rest period 					between each round with a (15) fifteen second warning 				signal prior to the start of the next round. 

The referee or the ringside physician may stop a bout if, in the judgment of either, allowing the bout to continue may jeopardize the health and safety of a participant.

The ringside physician shall be seated near the steps at ringside; the ringside physician shall remain at ringside at all times during the bouts and shall perform post-bout medical evaluations of all participants on forms approved and supplied by the Commission.

Amateur contestants may be permitted to compete twice a day under the following circumstances:  
	(A)	The competition must be an approved tournament
 
	(B)	Each session must be split by a minimum fifteen minute 				intermission, then four non-tournament bouts and a second ten 			minute intermission  giving each contestant a minimum of 30 			minutes rest between matches

	(C)	Each first session winner must undergo a second pre-bout physical 			and be cleared to compete by the ringside physician in the second 			session

	(D)	First session losers are out of the competition and may not 				compete again on the same event
		 	
024.05	All contestants must have been in training for a minimum of 45 days prior to the scheduled event and must be approved to compete by the Athletic Commissioner or his/her designated representative. In all cases where a  professional contestant has a signed contract for a scheduled bout, has trained for a minimum of  30 days; has met all of the required licensing, medical requirements and contractual requirements pursuant to the rules and regulations. Appears for the weigh-ins and physical examination at the prescribed time and place; is prepared to participate and has been cleared by the examining physician and the athletic commission office. But, for any reason other than medical disqualification is scratched from the program, shall be paid by the club/promoter a minimum the sum of  wo hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for training expense,  in addition to any reasonable transportation cost, meals and lodging. 

Bouts between male and female contestants will not be permitted. 

024.06	No contestant will be allowed to participate if he/she is under the influence of alcohol or any type of drugs. It is the duty and responsibility of the club/promoter to ensure that no one connected with the event (all licensees) is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any violation will result in disciplinary action against the violator and the club/promoter.

Contestants under the care and treatment of a licensed medical doctor (MD) and receiving prescribed medication will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the commission approved ringside physician at the time of the pre-bout medical examination. The decision of the ringside physician is final.   The commission may require  participants to submit to an alcohol, anti-doping exam or a urine test at any time.

024.07	The following  are fouls (illegal move/technique) and may not be allowed/used during any amateur or professional MMA contest or exhibition in the State of Nebraska: 
1)		flagrant disregard of the referee's instructions 
2)		engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to 	an opponent 
3)		biting or spitting 
4)		eye gouging, finger strikes or rakes
5)		groin techniques/attacks of any kind 
6)		clawing, pinching or twisting of the flesh 
7)		throat strikes of any kind, including without limitation, grabbing the 	trachea 
     8)		one or two-handed chokes 
9)		grabbing of the clavicle 
10)		fish hooking of the mouth or putting a finger into any open orifice 	(cuts/lacerations) 
11)		striking the spine or back of neck/head 
12)		point of elbow strikes 
13)		forearm strikes (non explosive pressure, such as a push, is allowed) 
14)		butting with the head 
15)		kicking the front of the knee 
16)		kicking, kneeing or stomping the head of a downed/grounded 	opponent 
		(a)	contestant is considered grounded when their torso or three 				points of their body 	are touching the canvass: (example: 				both legs and a hand). A downed contestant 						may kick up to all legal striking 	points of the body.
17)		clubbing blows w/both hands 
18	)	hair pulling 
19)		small joint manipulation 
20)		holding on to fence/ropes 
21)		kicking to the kidney with the heel 
22)		throwing an opponent out of fenced area or ring 
23)		spiking an opponent to the canvas on their head or back of neck 
24)		intentionally delaying the contest due to improper equipment, or by 	intentionally 	dropping or spitting out the mouthpiece avoiding 	contact or faking an injury 
25)		attacking an opponent on or during a break 
26)		attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee 
27)		using abusive language or illicit gestures in the ring/cage 
28)		interference by the corner 
29)		attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded to end the round
30)		halting a bout by throwing in the towel during competition
31)		any act in the judgment of the referee that is detrimental to the 	sport, and places a 	contestant at a disadvantage.

In addition to the listed fouls for professionals, these fouls are prohibited in all amateur MMA events.
1) 	No elbow strikes to the head at anytime. 
1) 		No striking with the point of the elbow. 
3) 		No knees to the head at anytime. 
4) 		No kicks of any type to the head. 
      2) 	A contestant may only strike to the head with their fists or forearm.
      3) 	Stomps on feet
      4) 	Slamming
      5) 	Throws against a joint
      6) 	Neck cranks
      7)	 	Heel hooks
      8) 	Finger locks
      9) 	Toe locks
    10) 	Smothering (hand over mouth)
    11) 	Spine locks
    12) 	Hammer locks
    16)		No choke-outs of any kind in the first round of any amateur 				competition

 A foul is always at the discretion of the referee and he/she will make that determination. The referee will adhere to the following procedures when dealing with intentional and unintentional fouls: 

(A) 	Referee shall issue a warning. After the initial warning a penalty will be issued. The 	penalty may be a deduction of points or disqualification depending on the severity of the foul. Any points deducted for any foul must be deducted in the round which the foul occurred. 

(B) 	The referee as soon as practical after the foul, will call time and notify the 	judges which contestant is being penalized and the total point deduction. 

(C) 	If a bottom contestant commits a foul and in the referee’s judgment is not in control, unless the top contestant is injured, the bout shall continue, so as not to jeopardize the top contestant's superior positioning at the time. 		
		(1) 	The referee shall verbally notify the bottom contestant of the 		foul.
 		(2) 	When the round is over, the referee shall notify the judges 			and the inspector of the foul and the total point deduction. 

(D) 	Only the referee can assess a foul and point deductions. Judges 	may not deduct points for what they interpret is a foul. 

(E) 	Referee shall check the fouled contestant’s condition to see if they can still 	participate in the contest. 

(F) 	Disqualification occurs when after any combination of three fouls or if the referee determines the foul to be flagrant. 

024.08	These techniques are considered legal for amateurs while competing in the standing position:
 
     1)		Closed hand strikes to head and body
     2)		Kicking techniques to body, head and legs only
     3)		Knees to body, head and legs
     4)		Throws / Sweeps / Takedowns
     5)		Standing Submissions
     6)		Chokes
     7)		Armbars
     8)		Shouldering

		These techniques are considered legal for amateurs while competing on the ground:
	1)  	Strikes to body, head and legs
	2) 		Submissions (chokes (only after the first round), armbars, straight 			leg locks ONLY)

024.09	Intentional foul: 
	
	(1) 	If an injury results from an intentional foul that is severe enough to terminate the bout, the contestant causing the injury loses by disqualification. 
	
	(2) 	If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue a mandatory two point penalty shall be assessed to the contestant committing the foul. 
	
	(3)	If an injury sustained by a contestant as a result of the intentional 	foul causes the contestant to be unable to continue at a subsequent point, 	the injured contestant shall win by a technical decision, if they are ahead 	on the score cards. If the injured 	contestant is even or behind on the 	score cards at the time of the stoppage, the bout shall be declared a 	technical draw. 

024.10	Unintentional foul: 

	(1) 	If a bout is stopped because of an unintentional foul, the referee shall determine whether 	the contestant who has been fouled can continue or 	not. If the contestant’s chance of 	winning has not been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul and if the foul did not involve concussive impact to the head of the contestant who has been fouled, the referee 	may order the bout continued after a recuperative interval of not more than five minutes. Immediately after stopping the bout or at the end of the round the referee must 	immediately inform the inspector or commission representative of their determination that the foul was accidental and unintentional. 

	(2) 	If the referee determines either from their observation or that of the ringside physician that the bout may not continue because of the injury from the unintentional foul the 	bout will be declared a no contest if the foul occurred: 

		(a) 	During the first two rounds of a non-championship bout, or; 
	
		(b) 	During the first three round of a championship bout; 

	(3) 	If the unintentional foul renders the contestant unable to continue the bout; 

		(a) 	After the completion of the second round in a non-				championship bout; 
		
		(b) 	After the completion of the third round of a championship 			bout; 

		(c) 	The outcome shall be determined by scoring the completed 			rounds and the round which the referee stops the bout. 

	(4) 	If an injury from an intentional foul later becomes aggravated by fair blows and the 	referee orders the bout stopped because of the injury. The 	outcome of the round in 	which the referee stops the contest must be determined by scoring the round to the point to where it was stopped as if it was a complete round.  

	(5) 	A contestant may not be declared the winner of a bout on the basis of their claim that 	the opponent fouled them unintentionally by hitting them in the groin. If after a recuperative interval of not more than five minutes, a contestant is unwilling to continue because of the claim of being hit in the groin, the contestant will lose by technical knockout, "TKO". 

024.11	Weigh-ins conducted the day prior to the event, with the exception of the super heavyweight class, all contestants must have their weight checked by a commission representative a second time at the venue on the day of the scheduled event a minimum of three hours prior to the scheduled start of the event. 

No contestant may be more than ten pounds heavier than their recorded weight from the weigh-ins on the day prior to the event. 

	(A) 	No contestant may lose more than three pounds in less than a two 			hour period. This rule applies to a second day weigh-in also. This 			does not apply to light heavyweight class and above.
 
(B)	Weight classifications and glove sizes for professional contestants 			will be determined by contractual/bout agreement, the weight 			difference may not exceed 5 pounds (exception is the Heavyweight 		and the Super Heavyweight classifications).

The gloves for professionals will weigh a minimum of 4 oz. and a maximum of 8 oz. with the glove weight for each professional match to be decided by the contestants and made a part of the bout agreement. The gloves for amateurs will weigh a minimum of 6 oz. and a maximum of 8 oz. with the actual glove size determined by the attached weight chart. 

The weight allowance and glove sizes for amateur contestants:

Weight class 		   Weights		  Allowances	Glove sizes
 
Straw weight 		up to 115 lbs 	   	3 lbs 		  min 6 oz 
Flyweight 			116 to 125 lbs 	   	3 lbs  		  min 6 oz 
Bantamweight 		126 to 135 lbs 	   	3 lbs 		  min 6 oz 
Featherweight 		136 to 145 lbs 	  	5 lbs 		  min 6 oz 
Lightweight 			146 to 155 lbs 		5 lbs 		  min 6 oz 
Welterweight 		156 to 170 lbs 		5 lbs 		  min 6 oz 
Middleweight 		171 to 185 lbs 		7 lbs 		  min 8 oz 
Light Heavyweight 		186 to 205 lbs 		7 lbs 		  min 8 oz 
Heavyweight 			206 to 265 lbs 		7 lbs 		  min 8 oz 
Super Heavyweight 		over 265 lbs 					  min 8 oz 

024.12	(A) 	All bouts will be scored by three judges. 
			
			(B) 	The "Ten-Point Must System" will be the standard system of 				scoring a bout. The winner of the round will be awarded ten 				points and the loser of the round will be awarded nine points 			or less, except for the rare occasion of an even round, which 			is scored ten to ten. 
			
			(C) 	Judges shall judge mixed martial art techniques, such as 				effective striking, effective grappling, and control of the 				opponent, effective 	aggressiveness and defense. 
			(1) 	Effective striking is judged by determining the total 				number of legal heavy strikes landed. 
			
			(2) 	Effective grappling is judged by considering the 				amount of successful executions of a legal takedown 				and reversal. Factors to consider are take 					downs from the standing position to a mount position, 			passing the guard to the mount position, and bottom 				position fighters using an active threatening guard. 
			
			(3) 	Effective control is judged by determining who is 				dictating the pace, location and position of the bout. 				Factors to be considered are, countering a grappler's 				attempt at a takedown by remaining standing and 				legally striking; take down an opponent to force a 				ground fight; creating threatening submission 					attempts, passing the guard to achieve a mount, 				and creating striking opportunities. 
			
			(4) 	Effective aggressiveness means moving forward and 				landing legal strikes. 
			
			(5) 	Effective defense means avoiding being struck, take 					down or reversals while countering with offensive 					strikes. 

024.13 	All contestants are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, the referee will call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action. The referee may deduct points if it is judged the mouthpiece is being purposely spit out. 

024.14	Following any medical time-out, or when a ring is being used and one or both opponents are under the ropes on the apron of the ring or in danger of falling from the apron of the ring, time will be called by the referee and both contestants will be positioned in the middle of the ring in the same positions as they were in prior to the time out. 

024.15 	Male contestants must wear a foul-proof groin protector, a plastic cup with an athletic supporter is adequate, but an abdominal guard is preferable. Female contestants must wear a foul-proof breast protector, plastic breast covers are adequate. Female amateur contestants shall also wear a pelvic protective girdle which shall cover the pubic area, ovaries, coccyx and sides of hips. All contestants shall wear a fitted mouthpiece. Each contestant shall wear mixed martial arts shorts, biking shorts, or kick boxing shorts. Shorts may be disapproved by the inspector or commission representative, cut-offs are not approved. 

No "GI’s, shoes or grappling shin guards are permitted to be worn by professional male or female contestants. No shirts may be worn by male contestants Contestant’s are prohibited from wearing or using any equipment or clothing not approved by the commissioner or his designated representative.

Body grease, gels, make-up, balms or lotions are prohibited and may not be applied to any contestant. Vaseline may be applied to the facial area only. Any contestant applying any prohibited/foreign substance to any area of their body  may be disqualified. 

024.16	Hand wraps shall be applied in the dressing room in the presence of a commission representative and a representative of the opponent. Either contestant may waive his privilege of witnessing the wrapping of his opponents hands. One winding of surgeons tape, not over one and one-half inches wide, may be placed directly on the hand to protect that part of the hand near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice but shall not extend within one inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. A single four inch by four inch surgical pad or equivalent material approved by the office, folded in half may be used on the knuckles of each hand for added protection and safety. Single strips of tape not wider than one fourth inch and no longer than three inches may be placed between the knuckles in order to hold the gauze in place. Contestants shall use soft surgical bandage not over two inches wide, and  20 yards in length, held in place by not more than three yards of one and one-half inch wide surgeons adhesive tape shall complete the wrappings for each hand. 

Hand wraps, when completed must be inspected and approved by a commission representative. Under no circumstances are gloves to be placed on the contestant until the hand wraps have been checked and approved by a commission representative. 

The gloves shall not be twisted or manipulated in any way by the contestants or their handlers. If a glove breaks or a string becomes untied during the bout, the referee will instruct the timekeeper to take time out while the glove issue is being corrected. All gloves will be checked by a commission representative prior to the start of the bouts and any snagged, torn, or unfit gloves will not be approved for competition by the commission.

The taping of ankles is permitted and the wearing of neoprene joint supports are permitted that do not contain any hard plastic, stabilizer material or metal support in them. Any support containing metal or hard plastic like material is prohibited. 

024.17	MMA Bout results

	(A) A mixed martial arts contest may end under the following results: 
	(1) Submission: 
	(a) Tap out: when a contestant physically uses their hand(s) to 		indicate that they no longer wish to continue. 

		(b) Verbal tap out: when a contestant verbally announces to the 		referee that they do not wish to continue. 

	(2) Knockout "(KO)": 
		(a)  failure to rise from the canvas after a legal maneuver,  a 	legal blow, or 

		(b) the contestant is unable to intelligently defend 	
	
	(3) Technical knockout "(TKO)": 
	(a) Referee stops bout because contestant can no longer 	defend themselves; or 

	(b) Ringside physician advises referee to stop bout; or 

	(c) When an injury as a result of a legal maneuver is severe 			enough to terminate the 	bout. 

(4) Decision via scorecards: 
	(a) Unanimous decision: all three judges score the bout for 			the same contestant. 

	(b) Split decision: when two judges score the bout for one 			contestant and one judge scores for the opponent. 

	(c) Majority decision: when two judges score the bout for 			the same contestant and one judge scores the bout a draw. 

(5) Draws: 
	(a) Unanimous: when all three judges score the bout a 			draw; 

	(b) Majority Draw: when two judges score the bout a draw; 

(6) Disqualification: when an injury sustained during competition as a result of an intentional foul severe enough to terminate the contestant. 

(7) Technical draw: 
	(a) When an injury sustained during competition as a result 	of an intentional foul causes the injured contestant to be 	unable to continue and the injured contestant is even or 	behind on the score cards at the time of the stoppage. 

	(b) When an injury sustained during competition as a result 	of an unintentional foul causes the injured contestant to be 	unable to continue and the sufficient number of rounds have 	been completed with the results of the scorecards being a 	draw. 

(8) Technical decision: when the bout is prematurely stopped due to an injury and a contestant is leading on the scorecards. 

No amateur MMA contestant will be permitted to participate in any licensed and approved amateur contest on more than two days in any seven, except in regularly scheduled, licensed, and approved tournaments requiring more than two days to complete. No amateur MMA contestant may be allowed to compete more than once in any calendar day unless the event is a scheduled, approved and licensed amateur MMA tournament and only under the following circumstances: 
	(A)	The competition must be an approved tournament
 
	(B)	Each session must be split by a minimum fifteen minute 		intermission, 	followed by a minimum of four non-tournament bouts and 		then a second ten minute intermission  giving each contestant a 	minimum of 30 minutes rest between sessions 
 
	(C)	Each first session winner must undergo a second pre-bout physical 	and be cleared to compete by the ringside physician in the second session

	(D)	First session losers are out of the competition and may not 	compete again on the same event

	(E)	Under no circumstances will amateur MMA tournament contestant 	winners be allowed to compete more than twice on the same day 

024.18  	All contestants must agree to abide by the Laws, Rules and Regulations for the Government of MMA in Nebraska. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Athletic Commission or his designated representative. Anything not covered in these rules will be governed by the Laws, Rules and Regulations for the Government of Boxing and Wrestling in Nebraska or by the decision of the Athletic Commissioner.