Ariz. Admin. Code § R19-2-D605 - Muay Thai.

A. The ring. The promoter is responsible for providing a safe ring in accordance with the following:

1. The ring shall be four-sided, not less than 16 feet nor more than 24 feet per side, measured within the ropes.

2. The floor and corner shall be well constructed with no obstructions and with a minimum extension outside the ring of at least 3 feet. The minimum floor height should be 4 to 5 feet from the surface upon which the ring is constructed. The corner posts shall have a diameter of between 4 to 5 inches with a height of 58 inches from the ring floor. All four posts must be properly cushioned.

3. The ring floor must be padded by either cushioning, rubber, soft cloth, rubber mat, or similar material with a thickness of 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The padding shall be completely covered by a canvas cloth.

4. There shall be four ropes, stretched and linked to four corner posts. The rope shall not be less than 1 inch in diameter and shall be covered by a soft or cushioning material. Positioning and tensioning of the rope shall be approved by the Commission.

5. The ring shall have suitable steps for use of the contestants.

B. Gloves.

1. Promoters are responsible for providing gloves for contestants in accordance with the following:

a. Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight shall use 6-ounce gloves.

b. Featherweight - Welterweight shall use 8-ounce gloves.

c. Junior Middleweight and heavier classes shall use no less than 10-ounce gloves; and higher weights may use gloves of 12, 14, 16, or 18 ounces in weight, as approved by the Commission.

d. The promoter shall have one extra set of gloves for each glove weight, corresponding with the contestants' weight classes participating in the event.

2. All gloves will be inspected by a Commission inspector prior to the fight.

3. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until the problem is corrected.

C. Contestant's equipment and apparel.

1. Only boxing shorts may be worn by all contestants, and women shall also wear approved tops. Contestants shall have one extra set of apparel for an event.

2. To ensure the combatant's safety, a groin guard must be worn and shall be checked by an inspector.

3. Long hair may be worn, but hair shall be tied back, and facial hair shall be trimmed.

4. The Mongkol may be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher) prior to the match start.

5. Arm bands may be worn.

6. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arms or legs to prevent sprains, however insertion of a shin guard, or similar object, is not allowed.

7. No decoration, jewelry, or material with sharp or metal components is allowed to be worn during the bout.

8. The use of liniment is allowed as long as both contestants and Commission agree. Contestants shall not use liniment on the face.

9. Contestants may wear elastic ankle socks to protect their feet.

10. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the contestant's disqualification.

D. Weight classes. The following weight classes shall be used as a general guide:

Weights	Weight Range in Pounds
Mini Flyweight	Less than 105
Junior Flyweight	105-107.9
Flyweight	108-111.9
Junior Bantamweight	112-114.9
Bantamweight	115-117.9
Junior Featherweight	118-121.9
Featherweight	122-125.9
Junior Lightweight	126-129.9
Lightweight	130-134.9
Junior Welterweight	135-139.9
Welterweight	140-146.9
Junior Middleweight	147-153.9
Middleweight	154-159.9
Super Middleweight	160-167.9
Light Heavyweight	168-174.9
Cruiserweight	175-189.9
Heavyweight	190-208.9
Super Heavyweight	209+

E. Fair blows and fouls.

1. A fair strike may be made by a punch, kick, knee, or elbow. Contestants may strike with punches above the waist, kicks above the waist and to the inside and outside of an opponent's legs, but not to the groin or leg joints. Direct kicks (side-kick style) to the front of an opponent's legs are not allowed. Fighters, promoters, trainers, and the Commission may agree prior to the event to use modified rules, which agreement shall be documented in the promoter/fighter contract.

2. Clinching is allowed if one contestant is active within the clinch.

3. Contestants are allowed to catch their opponent's leg and take one step forward. After one step, the contestant holding the leg must strike before taking further steps.

4. A contestant may kick his or her opponent's supporting leg with the top of the contestant's foot or shin, but may not use the instep as in a karate-style sweep.

5. In addition to the foul blows listed in R19-2-D601(W), the following practices are classified as fouls in Muay Thai:

a. Slapping with the lace side of the gloves;

b. Holding an opponent's head or arm and hitting;

c. Strikes to leg joints or other joint attacks;

d. Palm heel strikes;

e. Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold, takedowns or grappling;

f. Spinning sweeps;

g. Karate-style chopping strikes;

h. Striking opponent when the opponent has slipped or fallen down (an opponent is down or downed when any part of his or her body other than the soles of his or her feet touches the floor of the ring);

i. Spinning forearm or elbow strike. A spinning backhand strike is allowed if the hit is made with the portion of the glove that is above the wrist line (from the tape line at the wrist to the end of the glove);

j. Deliberately falling on an opponent;

k. Hip throws.

F. Intentional foul. If a contestant commits an intentional foul in the ring, the referee shall have the discretion to do the following, depending on the nature and seriousness of the foul:

1. Deduct one point from the fouling contestant per foul;

2. Disqualify the contestant who has fouled; or

3. If there is a disqualification, the purse may be withheld and the contestant may be automatically suspended.

G. Accidental foul.

1. If a contestant commits an accidental foul in the ring, the referee shall have the discretion to do the following, depending on the nature and seriousness of the foul:

a. Give the contestant who has fouled a caution or a warning (only one warning may be given per bout, and a caution may not follow a warning given for the same type of foul);

b. Deduct one point from the fouling contestant per foul; or

c. Disqualify the contestant who has fouled, if it is a serious accidental foul or if multiple accidental fouls have been committed.

2. When a self-inflicted injury or an accidental foul causes the bout to be stopped, the result would be a no contest or a disqualification if the bout is stopped before a majority of rounds have been completed. If the injury occurs after a majority of rounds have been completed, then the judge's scorecards will be totaled and the decision of the bout will be announced.

H. Results specific to Muay Thai.

1. In addition to the type of results listed in R19-2-D601(R), the following are the types of bout results:

a. A draw will be declared if both contestants are injured and cannot continue the bout, when the stoppage occurs before a majority of rounds have been completed.

b. Individual scores will decide a match if both contestants are injured and cannot continue the bout after the majority of rounds have been completed.

2. Counting. The count interval will be at one-second intervals, from 1 to 10. During the count, the referee will signal with his or her hand, to ensure that the contestant receiving the count understands.

a. A contestant, upon receiving a count, cannot continue the match prior to a count of 8 and loses immediately on receiving a count of 10.

b. If both contestants fall down, the referee will direct the count to the last contestant that fell. If both contestants receive a 10 count, a draw will be declared. Should the contestants lean against each other while sitting up, the referee shall stop counting at that time.

c. The referee shall continue the count from the count of 8 when a contestant is "down" as a result of a hit, the contestant rises at or before the complete count of 8, and the bout is continued after the count of 8 is completed, but the contestant falls again without receiving a fresh hit.

d. A contestant not ready to fight again when the bell rings after a break, shall receive a count, unless the failure to fight is caused by an equipment problem. The referee will determine the length of time that will be allowed to fix an equipment problem. If the problem cannot be fixed, the result will be a forfeiture under R19-2-601(R)(6).

3. Knocked out of ring.

a. If a contestant falls partially or completely through the ring ropes onto the apron, the referee shall order the opponent to stand in the farthest neutral corner and if the contestant remains partially outside the ropes, the referee shall start to count to 10. If a contestant falls completely out of the ring, the referee shall count to 20. A contestant must re-enter the ring on his own without assistance from another person.

i. If the contestant returns to the ring before the count ends, the contestant will not be penalized.

ii. If anyone prevents the fallen contestant from returning to the ring, the referee shall stop the count and warn such person or stop the fight until such interference ceases.

iii. If both contestants fall out of the ring and one tries to prevent his or her opponent from returning to the ring before the count ends, the interfering contestant will be warned or disqualified.

iv. If both contestants fall out of the ring, the one that returns to the ring before the count ends will be considered the winner. If neither contestant can return to the ring, the result will be considered a technical draw.

4. "Flash knockdowns," where the downed contestant rises up immediately, are usually not counted as knockdowns with a standing 8 count. However, if the contestant is stunned by the knockdown, the referee may decide to perform an 8 count if he or she deems it necessary, no matter how fast the contestant rises after the fall.

I. Method of judging.

1. The following are the scoring rules:

a. The maximum score for each round is 10 points, the loser scoring either 9, 8, or 7;

b. A round that is a draw is scored as 10 points for both contestants;

c. The winner and loser in an indecisive round score 10 to 9 respectively;

d. The winner and loser in a decisive round score 10 to 8 respectively;

e. The winner and loser in an indecisive round with a single count score 10 to 8 respectively;

f. The winner and loser in a decisive round with a single count score 10 to 7 respectively; and

g. The contestant scoring two counts against his or her opponent will score 10 to 7.

2. Strikes are scored as follows:

a. Points are awarded for a correct Thai boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes;

b. Points are awarded for aggressive and dominating Muay Thai skill;

c. Points are awarded for a contestant actively dominating an opponent; and

d. Points are awarded for the use of a traditional Thai style of defense and counter-attack.

3. The following strikes will not receive points:

a. A strike which is against the rules;

b. A strike in defense against the leg or arm of an opponent; or

c. A weak strike.

4. Fouls will be scored as follows:

a. Any contestant who commits a foul will have one point deducted from his or her score for each foul committed;

b. The judges will deduct points for fouls as directed by the referee; and

c. Any foul observed by the judges but not by the referee, will be penalized accordingly.

J. Rounds.

1. Prior to the start of the first round, both contestants may perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher), accompanied by the appropriate Thai traditional music.

2. The number of rounds in a Muay Thai bout shall not exceed a maximum of five rounds.

3. The duration of each round shall be a maximum of three minutes, followed by a two-minute rest period after each non-final round.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R19-2-D605

Amended by final rulemaking at 24 A.A.R. 445, effective 2/7/2018.