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235.11.1-7. Muay Thai

AR ADC 235.11.1-7Arkansas Administrative CodeEffective: September 5, 2022

West's Arkansas Administrative Code
Title 235. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
Division 11. State Athletic Commission
Rule 1. Rules of the State Athletic Commission
Effective: September 5, 2022
Ark. Admin. Code 235.11.1-7
Formerly cited as AR ADC 022.00.1-6
235.11.1-7. Muay Thai
Currentness
7.1 All Rules in this Chapter, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2 of these Rules apply to the combative sport of Muay Thai; provided however, in the event of a conflict between this Chapter, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2, Rules in this Chapter prevail.
7.2 Muay Thai is Combative Sport in which a Contestant shall utilizes strikes using gloved fists, elbows, feet, shin and knees. In a Muay Thai bout, it is permissible, unless otherwise designated as a foul, for a Contestant to strike an opponent's legs, arms, body, face, and head using the gloved fists, elbows, feet, shin and knees. Spinning back fist blows are allowed, so long as contact is made only with the padded part of the glove.
7.3 Licensure.
7.3.1 Persons under the age of 18 will not be issued a license other than cases WHEN and IF certain criteria are met, except a Contestant's license at the discretion of the Commission. Persons 16 years of age, but not yet 18, may be issued a Contestant's license provided a notarized, written consent from the person's parent or legal guardian is submitted with the application the criteria below have been met. No professionals shall be licensed under the age of 18.
7.3.2 Each applicant for an AR Contestant's Martial Arts or Mixed Martial Arts license shall simultaneously apply for or currently possess a valid National Mixed Martial Arts ID.
7.4 Contestants. Contestants are permitted to wear single elastic bandages around their wrists, ankles or feet to protect and avoid sprains. A Contestant is permitted to utilize a wrap on their ankles under the same restrictions as their hand wraps.
7.5 Fouls. The following acts constitute fouls:
7.5.1 All fouls specified for Mixed Martial Arts under these Rules;
7.5.2 Striking a downed opponent;
7.5.3 Holding or stepping on one of the ropes while fighting, elbowing, or striking; and
7.5.4 Performing any hold or technique not ordinarily considered by the World Muay Thai Council as part of the Muay Thai technique.
7.6 Rounds & Duration. A Professional bout shall be five (5) scheduled rounds with the duration of each round being three (3) minutes with a two (2) minute rest period between each round. An Amateur bout shall be three (3) scheduled rounds with the duration of each round being two (2) minutes with a one (1) minute rest period between each round.
7.7 Seconds. During a bout, Seconds are not allowed to advise, help or instruct their Contestant nor signal the condition of the Contestant to interested parties.
7.8 Weight Classes. Contestants shall use the following weight classes:
7.8.1 Mini-Flyweight up to 105 lbs.
7.8.2 Junior-Flyweight -- over 105 lbs. up to 108 lbs.
7.8.3 Flyweight -- over 108 lbs. up to 112 lbs.
7.8.4 Junior Bantamweight -- over 112 lbs. up to 115 lbs.
7.8.5 Bantamweight -- over 115 lbs. up to 118 lbs.
7.8.6 Junior Featherweight -- over 118 lbs. up to 122 lbs.
7.8.7 Featherweight -- over 122 lbs. up to 126 lbs.
7.8.8 Junior Lightweight -- over 126 lbs. up to 130 lbs.
7.8.9 Lightweight -- over 130 lbs. up to 135 lbs.
7.8.10 Junior Welterweight -- over 135 lbs. up to 140 lbs.
7.8.11 Welterweight -- over 140 lbs. up to 147 lbs.
7.8.12 Junior Middleweight -- over 147 lbs. up to 154 lbs.
7.8.13 Middleweight -- over 154 lbs. up to 160 lbs.
7.8.14 Super Middleweight -- over 160 lbs. up to 168 lbs.
7.8.15 Light Heavyweight -- over 168 lbs. up to 175 lbs.
7.8.16 Cruiserweight -- over 175 lbs. up to 190 lbs.
7.8.17 Heavyweight -- over 190 lbs. up to 200 lbs.
7.8.18 Super Heavyweight -- over 200 lbs.
7.9 Weight Differences. Contestants shall not fight outside their contracted weight or weight class without approval of the Commission and agreement by the Contestants to compete at the weight differential. Regardless of contracted weights, no Contestant may participate in an Event where the difference between the weights of the Contestant and his or her opponent at the time of weigh-in exceeds the following allowance(s) in the table below. For ALL types of events, the weight spread between any two contestants, cannot exceed the table below. If these weights are more lenient than what the promoter desires, the promoter can use his classes or divisions, or if he chooses, he can use the below table and develop a catchweight.
7.9.1 112 lbs. or under -- 3 lbs.
7.9.2 113-118 lbs. -- 4 lbs.
7.9.3 119-126 lbs. -- 5 lbs.
7.9.4 127-135 lbs. -- 6 lbs.
7.9.5 136-147 lbs. -- 8 lbs.
7.9.6 148-160 lbs. -- 10 lbs.
7.9.7 161-175 lbs. -- 12 lbs.
7.9.8 176-200 lbs. -- 15 lbs.
7.9.9 201 lbs. or over -- No limit
7.10 Weigh-Ins. Contestants failing to meet their contracted weight shall have two (2) hours after their initial weigh-in within which to meet the contracted weight. If in an attempt to make weight, a contestant shows evidence of dehydration, having taken diuretics, or other drugs, or having used any other harsh modality, the Commission shall disqualify the Contestant on the advice of the Doctor. All weigh-ins shall be conducted:
7.10.1 Not more than 36 hours prior to nor less than 5 hours before the start of an Event, or as otherwise determined by the Commission to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Contestants;
7.10.2 By the Designated employee(s) or an Inspector with weights recorded by the same;
7.10.3 In the presence of other Contestants to the extent practicable with only approved Contestants permitted to weigh in;
7.10.4 At a specific time set by the Promoter and approved by the Commission, generally between the hours of 2 p.m. of the day before the Event and 12 noon the day of the Event; or no less than 5 hours before fight start and
7.10.5 Using “slide weight/balance” scales, digital scales or other scales as approved in advance by the Commission, which Commission may require to be certified by the Arkansas Division of Weights and Measures within the Arkansas Bureau of Standards of the State Plant Board.
7.11 Gloves.
7.11.1 Contestants weighing up to and including 122 lbs. shall wear gloves weighing six (6) ounces, while Contestants weighing more than 122 lbs. up to and including 147 lbs. shall wear gloves weighing eight (8) ounces, while Contestants weighing more than 147 lbs. shall wear gloves weighing ten (10) ounces; provided however, if agreed to in a writing signed by a Contestant and Contestant's opponent prior to the weigh-ins and the weight of the gloves is the same for both the Contestant and Contestant's opponent, Contestants may wear gloves weighing more than the weight required by this subsection.
7.11.2 Gloves shall:
7.11.2.1 Be examined and approved by the Commission, Referee and Inspector before each contest;
7.11.2.2 Be clean, properly constructed and consisting of evenly distributed, uniform padding;
7.11.2.3 Have manufacturer's tag or otherwise have the weight of the glove proven to the Commission's and Inspector's satisfaction prior to each bout;
7.11.2.4 Not expose any part of the hand or fingers below the wrist, nor allow for individual outlines or individual insertion of Contestant's fingers;
7.11.2.5 Have the thumb attached or be thumbless;
7.11.2.6 If equipped or secured by laces, have the laces tied on the outside of the back of the wrist of the gloves and have any plastic or other covering removed from the tips of the laces; and
7.11.2.7 Have the laces or hook and loop fastening system properly wrapped and covered by tape approved by the Commission and Inspector prior to each contest.
7.12 Hand wraps. Contestant's hand wraps shall:
7.12.1 Consist of dry cotton gauze not more than 20 yards in length and not more than two (2) inches in width per hand; if synthetic, only 10 yards in length if Commission approved synthetic, with tape as below.
7.12.2 Have the cotton gauze held in place by white athletic tape not more than eight (8) feet in length and not more than two (2) inches in width per hand;
7.12.3 Not have any portion of the tape covering any part of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist; however, a single thickness of tape may pass one (1) time between each finger for the purpose of securing the gauze;
7.12.4 Consist of a continuous layer of the same permitted material followed by a continuous layer of the other permitted material without alternating layers of permitted material, except if the gauze is applied first, then a single strip of tape which does not pass both over and under the hand may be used to secure the gauze;
7.12.5 Be applied to each Contestant in the dressing room under the supervision of an Inspector and under the observation of an opponent's Second if the opponent's Second notifies the Inspector of such desire to observe prior to the beginning of the hand wrap application;
7.12.6 Not have any water or any other substance other than the white athletic tape may be applied to the gauze or any other portion of the hand wrap;
7.12.7 Not consist of, contain or have any other material or substance, other than as permitted by this subchapter, placed on, in, under or around the hand wrap; and
7.12.8 Not have any other material or substance, other than as permitted by this subchapter, placed on, in, around or under Contestant's hand prior to wrapping.

Credits

Amended April 30, 2014; Sept. 5, 2022.
Current with amendments received through February 15, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credit for details.
Ark. Admin. Code 235.11.1-7, AR ADC 235.11.1-7
End of Document