(A) Amateur mixed martial arts events will follow all existing rules bearing agency-level designation 3773 of the Administrative Code. (A.K.A. Ohio Rules)

(B) Any contestant competing as an amateur may not currently or have ever been a professional fighter in any striking sports; this includes but is not limited to mixed martial arts, boxing, karate or any other form of a striking sport. Any contestant found in violation of this will be suspended for a period of not less than one year nor more than two years.

(C) All weigh-ins must be scheduled no earlier than twelve p.m. the day of the event, unless authorized by the commission. No weight allowances for amateurs.

(D) Rule differences from professional mixed martial art rules:

(1) Rounds: there shall be three rounds scheduled for three minutes each with a ninety second rest period between rounds with a fifteen second warning signal prior to the start of the next round.

(2) Gloves: minimum size of four ounces and maximum of eight ounces.

(3) Neoprene shin guards, ankle guards or elbow pads are optional.

(4) No elbow strikes to the head or body at anytime.

(5) No striking with the point of the elbow.

(6) No knees to the head at anytime.

(7) No kicks of any type to the head.

(8) A contestant may only strike to the head with their fists.

(9) The only leg submission is the straight knee bar. No submission holds around the ankles.

(E) A mixed martial arts fighter will be required to have a minimum of five recorded amateur bouts prior to being permitted to compete as a professional mixed martial arts fighter. They may appeal to the executive director or Ohio athletic commission to have this waived.

(F) Masters Division: applies to all amateur mixed martial arts contestants ages thirty-five and over. They may only compete in this division. 
 
 

Weight classifications, weight allowance between weight classes and glove sizes-

 

There is no weight allowances permitted for amateur events. They must fight in the weight class in which they weigh-in. If there is a contracted weight they must meet the contracted weight or lower but still must be in the weight class of their opponent. Amateur Fights use 8 oz gloves provided to the fighter by H2H Combat Challenge LLC. 

H2H Combat Challenge Judging and scoring.

(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.  
 
 
 

H2H Combat Challenge Fouls - intentional, unintentional, procedures and types of fouls.

Procedures:

(1) 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.

(2) The referee as soon as practical after the foul, call time and notify which contestant is being penalized and the total points the contestant is being penalized.

(3) 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.

(a) The referee shall verbally notify the bottom contestant of the foul.

(b) When the round is over, the referee shall notify the judges and the inspector of the foul and the total point deduction.

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

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

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

(B) Intentional foul:

(1) If an injury results 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.

(C) 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) 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 bout will be declared a no contest if the second round has not been completed in a three round bout.  

H2H Combat Challenge Types of fouls in a mixed martial arts contest.

(1) Butting with the head.

(2) Eye gouging of any kind.

(3) Biting.

(4) Hair pulling.

(5) Fishhooking.

(6) Groin attacks of any kind.

(7) Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.

(8) Small joint manipulation.

(9) Striking to the spine or back of head.

(10) Striking downward using the point of the elbow. No Elbow strikes at all.

(11) Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation grabbing the trachea.

(12) Clawing, twisting or pinching the flesh.

(13) Grabbing the clavicle.

(14) Kicking the head of a grounded opponent..

(15) Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.

(16) Stomping on a grounded opponent.

A contestant is considered grounded when their torso or three points of their body are touching the canvass:(example: two legs and a hand are touching canvass. Applies to paragraphs (14), (15), and (16) of the rule.

Note: A downed opponent may kick up to all legal striking points of the body.

(17) Kicking to the kidney with the heel.

(18) Throwing an opponent out of the ring area or fence area.

(19) Holding the shorts or glove of an opponent.

(20) Spitting on an opponent.

(21) Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.

(22) Holding the ropes or cage.

(23) Using abusive language or illicit gestures in the cage or ring area.

(24) Attacking an opponent on or during the break.

(25) Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.

(26) Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded to end the round.

(27) Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.

(28) Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.

(29) Interference from anyone working the corner or corner men leaving their area.

(30) Throwing in the towel during competition.

(31) Any act in the judgment of the referee that is detrimental and places an opponent at a disadvantage. 

H2H Combat Challenge Appearance and attire.

(A) Groin and breast protectors.

(1) Male fighters must wear a groin protector which will protect them against injury from a foul blow.

(2) Female fighters may not wear groin protectors but must wear a breast protector.

(B) Female fighters must submit a negative pregnancy test taken within the past fourteen days from a doctor or certified laboratory to the athletic commission a minimum of seven days prior to the event.

(C) Each contestant shall wear mixed martial arts shorts, biking shorts, or kick boxing shorts. Shorts must be approved by the inspector or commission representative.

(D) No "GI'"s or shirts permitted.

(E) No shoes are permitted.

(F) No grappling shin guards.

(G) Absolutely "no" body grease, gels, balms or lotions may be applied. Vaseline may be applied to the facial area at cage side or ringside in the presence of a inspector, referee, or a person designated by the commission. Any contestant applying anything prior to this could be penalized a point or disqualified.

(H) Taping of hands wrists and ankle is permitted.

(I) Neoprene joint supports only. No metal supports can ever be worn.

(J) Finger and toe nails must be trimmed.

(K) The inspector or commission representative shall determine whether head or facial hair presents any hazard to the safety of the contestant or their opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the event. Facial hair may not be braided.

(L) May not wear any equipment that does not pass the inspector or commissions approval. 

H2H Combat Challenge Glove specifications.

(A) For professional mixed martial arts contests each contestant must wear gloves that weigh not less than four ounces and not more than eight ounces.

(B) Amateur mixed martial arts contestants must wear gloves that weigh not less than four ounces and not more than eight ounces.

(C) The gloves will be supplied by the promoter.

(D) Both contestants will wear same size gloves.

(E) Must be inspected and passed by the inspector, referee or commission representative prior to starting the bout. 

H2H Combat Challenge Specifications for bandages on hands for mixed martial art contestants.

(A) In all weight classes, the bandages on each contestant’s hands shall be restricted to soft gauze type cloth not more than thirteen yards in length and two inches in width, held in place by not more than ten feet of surgeon’s tape, one inch in width for each hand.

(B) Surgeon's adhesive tape shall be placed directly on each hand for protection near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice and extend to cover and protect the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

(C) The bandages shall be evenly distributed across the hand.

(D) Bandages and tapes shall be placed on contestant's hands in the dressing room and must be inspected by the inspector or commission representative.

(E) The manager or chief second of the opponent may elect to be present when hands are being wrapped.

(F) Under no circumstances are gloves to be placed on the hands of a contestant until checked by the inspector or commission representative. 

H2H Combat Challenge Types of 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)": failure to rise from the canvas.

(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: when 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: when two judges score the bout a draw;

(c) Split when all three judges score it differently and the score total results in a draw.

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

(7) Forfeit: when a contestant fails to begin competition or prematurely ends the contest for reasons other than injury or indicating a tap out.

(8) 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 an 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.

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

(10) No contest: when a contestant is prematurely stopped due to accidental injury and a sufficient number of rounds have not been completed to render a decision via the scorecards.