5-225. Regulation of boxing contests, tough man contests and mixed martial arts

A. All boxing contests are subject to the provisions of this chapter and to rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. The commission shall for every contest that is subject to regulation by the commission:

1. Direct a person authorized by the commission or by the executive director to be present.

2. Direct the person authorized to report results, including suspensions, to a national registry.

B. All tough man contests, including amateur tough man contests, are subject to the provisions of this chapter. Every contestant in a tough man contest shall wear headgear approved by the commission.

C. Mixed martial arts, including amateur mixed martial arts, are subject to the provisions of this chapter and to rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, including rules adopted for boxing that are not inconsistent with specific mixed martial arts contest provisions and rules. Contestants in mixed martial arts shall not strike other contestants in the spinal column or in the back of the head. The commission shall use rules for mixed martial arts that are consistent with the mixed martial arts unified rules adopted by the New Jersey state athletic control board under New Jersey administrative code title 13, chapter 46, subchapter 24A, except that a cage may have one entry door and have a vinyl or rubberized floor covering if approved by a representative of the commission. Nothing in this subsection prevents a promoter of a mixed martial arts event in this state from adopting more restrictive rules for that particular event than would otherwise be allowed. In addition to the applicable provisions of the mixed martial arts unified rules adopted by the New Jersey state athletic control board under New Jersey administrative code title 13, chapter 46, subchapter 24A, amateur mixed martial arts bouts shall consist of three rounds of three minutes per round and the amateur contestants shall not strike with elbows to the head of a grounded opponent, use twisting leg submissions, use linear kicks to the knee joint or use foot stomps. Amateur mixed martial arts bouts shall be clearly designated as such in all promotional materials and at the event.

D. The commission may establish a uniform nonrefundable fee for mixed martial arts and boxing events in an amount determined by the commission that shall be paid to the commission by a promoter when submitting an event application. In determining the amount of the fee, the executive director may consider factors including whether the event is televised, whether the event will be transmitted on pay-per-view, the amount of time likely to be expended in processing the event application and the complexity of the application. The commission may establish a nonrefundable fee that shall be paid to the commission by a promoter if the promoter submits a request to change a previously approved event date. Monies that are derived from the fees charged pursuant to this subsection and monies derived from intergovernmental tribal agreements shall be available to the commission for the administration and regulation of mixed martial arts and boxing, and those monies are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.

E. Weigh-ins for all contests shall not be more than twenty-four hours before the scheduled time of the event or less than three hours before the scheduled time of the event. A representative of the commission shall attend and supervise all weigh-ins. The weigh-in period shall be one hour.