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USA MMA rules
These are the rules associated with USAMMA.  Please read carefully and fully understand these. 

Weight Classes
    Featherweight, Upper Limit, 125 lbs.
    Bantamweight, Upper Limit, 135 lbs.
    Featherweight, Upper Limit, 145 lbs.
    Lightweight, Upper Limit, 155 lbs.
    Welterweight, Upper Limit, 170 lbs.
    Middleweight, Upper Limit, 185 lbs.
    Light Heavyweight, upper Limit, 205 lbs.
    Heavyweight, upper limit, 265 lbs.

Ways to victory
A contest of mixed martial arts may end under the following results
1.  Submission by:
     (a) Physical tap out.
     (b) Verbal tap out.    
2.  Technical knockout by the referee stopping the contest.
3.  Decision via the scorecards, including:
    (a) Unanimous decision.
    (b) Split decision.
    (c) Majority decision.
    (d) Draw, including:
        (1) Unanimous draw.
        (2) Majority draw.
        (3) Split draw.
4.  Technical decision.
5.  Technical draw.
6.  Disqualification.
7.  Forfeit.
8.  No contest.

Legal Techniques
1. Hand Strikes
    A.  Fighters may strike with a closed fist or an open hand/palm of their hand. 
    B.  Fingerstrikes or rakes are not allowed. 
    C.  Strikes to the throat are not allowed.
2. Arm Strikes
    A.  No elbow or forearms strikes to the head allowed.  BODY ONLY.
3. Legs
    A.  Fighters may strike with their knees, shins and feet to all parts of the body when the fight is standing up. Once fighter is grounded, or any three points of the body is touching the floor, NO knees or kicks are allowed to that fighter's head as he is then considered "on the ground". 
4.  Throws/Takedowns
    A.  All wrestling, judo, and jujitsu throws and takedowns are allowed.
5.  Chokes
    A.  All chokes can be done with the arms and legs, except grabbing the throat with one or both hands or using fingers to apply pressure to any part of the neck.
6.  Locks
    a.   Elbow, shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle locks are allowed. Small joint manipulation is illegal, that includes both fingers and toes.


Rounds
The bouts will last a total of 3 rounds in duration.  Every round is 4 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds.   There is no difference in rounds and round duration for a title fight.  All USAMMA sanctioned matches will be 3 four minutes rounds with 1 minute rest between rounds. 

Attire
Competitors must have an approved mouthpiece at all times during the bout.  All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gis or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed.  Rash guards are allowed.  Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.  Shin pads may be required in some states.  Approved headgear may be required in some states.

Judging Criteria
The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points.

or long pants (including ) are not allowed.  Rash guards are allowed.  Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.  Shin pads may be required in some states.  Approved headgear may be required in some states.The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points.

or long pants (including ) are not allowed.  Rash guards are allowed.  Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.  Shin pads may be required in some states.  Approved headgear may be required in some states.The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points....These are the rules associated with USAMMA.  Please read carefully and fully understand these.  A contest of mixed martial arts may end under the following results1.  Submission by:     (a) Physical tap out.     (b) Verbal tap out.    2.  Technical knockout by the referee stopping the contest.3.  Decision via the scorecards, including:    (a) Unanimous decision.    (b) Split decision.    (c) Majority decision.    (d) Draw, including:        (1) Unanimous draw.        (2) Majority draw.        (3) Split draw.4.  Technical decision.5.  Technical draw.6.  Disqualification.7.  Forfeit.8.  No contest.1. Hand Strikes    A.  Fighters may strike with a closed fist or an open hand/palm of their hand.     B.  Fingerstrikes or rakes are not allowed.     C.  Strikes to the throat are not allowed.2. Arm Strikes    A.  No elbow or forearms strikes to the head allowed.  BODY ONLY.3. Legs    A.  Fighters may strike with their knees, shins and feet to all parts of the body when the fight is standing up. Once fighter is grounded, or any three points of the body is touching the floor, NO knees or kicks are allowed to that fighter's head as he is then considered "on the ground". 4.  Throws/Takedowns    A.  All wrestling, judo, and jujitsu throws and takedowns are allowed. 5.  Chokes    A.  All chokes can be done with the arms and legs, except grabbing the throat with one or both hands or using fingers to apply pressure to any part of the neck.6.  Locks    a.   Elbow, shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle locks are allowed. Small joint manipulation is illegal, that includes both fingers and toes.The bouts will last a total of 3 rounds in duration.  Every round is 4 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds.   There is no difference in rounds and round duration for a title fight.  All USAMMA sanctioned matches will be 3 four minutes rounds with 1 minute rest between rounds.  Competitors must have an approved mouthpiece at all times during the bout.  All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, or long pants (including ) are not allowed.  Rash guards are allowed.  Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.  Shin pads may be required in some states.  Approved headgear may be required in some states.The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points.

Fouls
The following are fouls, as set out by USAMMA:

• Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
• Any elbow or forearm strike to the head of the opponent.
• Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
• Grabbing the clavicle/collarbone.
• Punching the head of a gronded opponent.
• Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
• Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
• Stomping a grounded opponent.
• Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
• Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
• Spitting at an opponent.
• Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
• Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
• Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
• Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
• Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
• Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
• Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
• Interference by the corner.

In order to fight for a USA MMA title, fighters and their managers have to agree to fight under the following rules:

Length of rounds:
All USA MMA Professional title fights will be 3 rounds of 5 minutes each;
All USA MMA Amateur title fights will be 3 rounds of 4 minutes each.

Frequency of defense:

• Champion will defend title, at least, once every 12 months.

Inactivity:

• If champion is inactive for 12 months, champion will be stripped of title;

• If champion is inactive, for 12 months, because of injury or illness, champion will be stripped of title, and bout between two notable contenders will be scheduled for the vacant title. Former champion will be first contender, once new champion is crowned;

• If the champion cannot defend his title, due to criminal activities, he will lose title automatically, regardless of inactive period.

Champion can hold two or more titles in different weight classes.

Results of championship bouts:

• If champion wins championship bout, he retains title;

• If champion loses championship bout, challenger is awarded title;

• If the championship bout ends in a draw, champion retains title;

• If the championship bout ends by a participant being disqualified, the winner by dq will be awarded the title;

• If the championship bout is for a vacant title, and bout comes to a draw, the title will remain vacant;

Weigh ins:

• Both competitors, in championship fights, must make title weight, plus one pound;

• If challenger does not make weight, he will be allowed 2 hours to make weight. After 2 hours, challenger will be weighed again. If he does not make weight, fight is no longer a championship fight. Fight may take place, with no championship at stake, if champion agrees to the fight. There may be a 10% purse deduction at this moment. The 10% deduction will be taken from challenger and given to champion as bonus. If challenger refuses fight, challenger does not get paid, champion gets show pay. If champion refuses fight, neither champion nor challenger gets paid. If both fighters refuse fight, no one gets paid.

• If champion does not make weight, he will be allowed 2 hours to make weight. After 2 hours, champion will be weighed again. If he does not make weight, champion will forfeit title to challenger, and fight is no longer a championship fight. Fight may take place, with no champioship at stake, if both parties agree to fight. There may be a 10% purse deduction at this moment. The 10% deduction will be taken from champion and given to challenger as bonus. If champion refuses fight, champion does not get pay, challenger gets show pay. If challenger refuses fight, neither challenger nor champion gets paid, challenger receives title by missed weight. If both fighters refuse to fight, no one gets paid, champion loses title by missed weight, title awarded to challenger.

More Rules to come. Stay tuned.