Section 1371.200  Bouts and Contests

a)         All licensed individuals and organizations associated with the contests shall be deemed to have knowledge of the applicable laws and rules of the State.  Any questions or interpretations shall be referred to the representative of the Division.  If an immediate decision is required, it shall be referred to the Division or its designee who shall make a determination on the matter.  In the event a situation occurs at the contest and there are no regulations in place to cover the situation, the representative of the Division shall make a decision on the matter.  The Division's or its designee's ruling shall be final.  The authority of the Division and the inspectors shall be respected.  No one shall interfere with the inspectors' duties, use foul language towards the inspectors, or make threats of physical harm toward the inspectors.  Any interference, use of foul language, or threats of physical harm towards the inspectors will be cause for disciplinary action.

b)         The Division shall approve each bout.

c)         No bout shall be advertised or promoted as a championship bout unless it has the specific approval of the Division.

d)         Contestants shall at all times abide by the statutes and rules of Illinois governing boxing, martial arts and mixed martial arts.

e)         Contestants shall at all times observe the directions and decisions of all officials.

f)          A contestant shall not compete in more than one contest within a 7 day period.  The Division may determine that more time between contests is necessary to protect the health and safety of the contestant.

g)         Each contestant shall report to the representative of the Division in the dressing rooms at least one hour before the scheduled time of the first bout of the contest.  Failure to do so may result in the contestant being disallowed to participate in the bout.

h)         The administration or use of drugs or stimulants, either before or during a bout, to or by any contestant is prohibited.  Any contestant violating this subsection shall be subject to disqualification.

i)          During a bout or contest, contestants shall only be permitted to drink water.  No other fluids shall be permitted.

j)          Before starting a bout, the referee shall ascertain from each contestant the name of his or her chief second who shall be held responsible for the conduct of the assistant seconds during the progress of the bout.  The referee shall call contestants together before each bout for final instructions, at which time each contestant shall be accompanied by the chief second only.

k)         The 3 judges shall be stationed at the sides immediately adjacent to the fighting area, each at a separate side.  The judges shall turn scorecards over to the referee after each round.  The referee shall then hand the scorecards to the Division or its designee.  A final decision shall be made before the judges may leave the area.  Any erasures or changes on the card shall be approved and initialed by the judge and Division or its designee.

l)          After receiving instructions, the contestants may shake hands and retire to their corners.

m)        The contestants, the physician and the referee shall be the only persons allowed in the fighting area during the progress of a round.  When the referee calls a timeout, he or she may permit the physician to enter the fighting area.

n)         Under no circumstances shall a contest be held with fewer than 3 bouts.

o)         Contests with Both Professional and Amateur Bouts

1)         If amateur bouts and professional bouts are scheduled during the same contest or event, the professional bouts shall only be held after the completion of all amateur bouts.

2)         There shall be a minimum of one amateur bout and a minimum of 3 professional bouts.

3)         There shall be no less than 15 minutes between amateur and professional contests.

p)         The contest shall commence no later that 30 minutes after the start time stated on the contest permit.

q)         Any person who has competed in any professional contest shall not participate in any amateur contest in the State of Illinois.  The Division may discipline the license of any contestant, promoter, manager, matchmaker or second who violates, or assists or enables another to violate, the provisions of this subsection.

r)          The promoter shall provide an adequate room for the attending physician to conduct physical examinations.  Whenever a contestant, because of illness or injuries, is unable to take part in a contracted bout, the contestant or the manager shall immediately report that fact to the inspector.  The contestant shall then submit to an examination by a physician designated by the Division.

s)         The Division shall honor the suspension of a contestant by any state, tribal athletic commission, territory, federal agency or county that regulates contests in another jurisdiction if the suspension is ordered for:

1)         Medical safety;

2)         A violation of a law or regulation governing boxing, martial arts or mixed martial arts that would constitute a violation of the laws or regulations of this State; or

3)         Any other conduct that discredits boxing, martial arts or mixed martial arts, as determined by the Division.

t)          The Division may deny a contestant a license if the contestant's license to participate or compete as a contestant has been denied, refused or disciplined for a medical condition by another state, tribal athletic commission, territory, federal agency or county.  The Division shall not issue a license to a contestant who has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage of any type.