VA Amateur MMA Rules

VA Amateur MMA Rules

VA Amateur Rules & Regulations

Our amateur fights are sanctioned by the Global Combat Alliance. Click here to go directly to their “Rules & Regulations” page on their website gcafights.com. For rules and/or regulations clarification or other questions pertaining to our amateur sanctioning you may contact them directly at info@gcafights.com.

Following are Rules & Regulations from their website:

Legal Strikes:

Hand Strikes:

Closed fist or an open hand/palm of their hand

Arm Strikes :

Forearm strikes and rounded elbows to standing or grounded opponent
Shoulder jabs to standing or grounded opponent

Legs :

Standing strikes with knees, shins, and feet
Standing knees to head

Takedowns and Throws :

All wrestling, judo and jiu jitsu throws and takedowns

Chokes :

All chokes with arms and legs

Locks :

Elbow, shoulder, wrist, knee, and ankle locks

Fouls:

Downward or spiking elbow strikes
Flagrant disregard of referee’s instructions
Unsportsmanlike conduct that causes injury to an opponent
Biting
Eye-gouging
Knuckle gouging
Clawing, pinching, or twisting of flesh
Throat strikes of any kind
One or two-handed chokes applied directly to the throat/windpipe
Knees to the head and neck of a grounded opponent
Kicking or stomping above the waist on a grounded opponent
Kicking the front of an opponent’s knee
Fish hooks (to eyes, nose, ear, or mouth)
Putting a finger into any open orifice (cuts/lacerations)
Grabbing of the clavicle
Hair pulling
Groin attacks of any kind
Single digit manipulation
Small joint manipulation
Head butting
Striking the spine, back of neck, or back of head
Driving opponent’s head directly down into the mat (spiking)
Lifting, pushing, throwing or otherwise forcing an opponent out of the ring or cage
Intentionally delaying the contest due to improper equipment, or by intentionally dropping or spitting out mouthpiece
Attacking an opponent on or during a break
Attacking an opponent who is under the care of an official
Using abusive language in the ring or cage
Interference by corner/trainer
Rope or cage grabbing to avoid a submission hold. Continually holding the rope to rest or pull self from action, or gain advantage.

Clothing and Equipment Guidelines:

REQUIRED:

Protective groin cup
Protective mouthpiece
Handwraps
- Tape permitted on wrists and hands, but not knuckles
- Regular handwraps secured by tape permitted
- Handwraps must be signed off by GCA representative
MMA Gloves (no less than 4oz)

PERMITTED:

Shin, instep, elbow, and/or knee supports
Oil on face only

PERMITTED APPAREL:

Boxing shorts, kickboxing shorts, latex bike-style shorts, board shorts, speedos
Rash guard (females only)

*FORBIDDEN:

Tape over knuckles
Oil or grease on any part of the competitor’s body
Apparel or equipment which includes metallic and/or hard plastic and/or edge or surface

Cornermen and Trainer Guidelines

REQUIRED:

Every fighter is required to have at minimum one corner man and a maximum of two
Must obey the referee at all times
Must stay in their fighter’s corner
Must conduct themselves with appropriate and proper sportsmanship
Must stay off the ring floor
May not lean on ring or cage

PERMITTED:

Cornermen may spray (not pour) water and apply ice to a fighter in between rounds. No other substance may be applied to the body. The following substances may be applied to cuts: petroleum jelly, adrenaline hydrochloride, avitene, and thrombin. Cornermen are responsible to dry the corner area before the next round continues.

During round breaks, only one cornerman is allowed in the ring/cage.

NOTE: Violation of rules by corner personnel can result in warnings, point deductions, dismissal of corner man and/or disqualification of that corner’s fighter

How to win:

Knockout: Opponent is unable to intelligently defend himself following a strike.
TKO: The physician or referee decides the opponent cannot continue due to a cut or other injury.
Submission: Opponent submits by tapping more than 3 times (or by saying “TAP”) as a result from a choke, lock, or any other reason.
Referee Stoppage: When opponent is taking excessive punishment but cannot or will not submit or quit either due to striking, failing to show a willingness to continue, a refusal to submit in the face of grave injury, or any other reason the referee believes is necessary to preserve the fighter’s safety.
Throw in the Towel: Opponent’s corner decides to end the bout for the safety of their fighter.
Quit: Opponent simply cannot or refuses to continue.
Decision: When the bout has ended after the specified time without a winner, the decision shall be determined by three judges.
Disqualification: Opponent is disqualified by the referee.