Utah Admin. Code R457-1-1105 - Bareknuckle Legal and Illegal Techniques

(1) The only legal technique allowed in Bare Knuckle Fighting is Bare Knuckle Hand Strikes with a clenched fist, which is a punch thrown with bare fists between opponents.

(2) Standard face-to-face punches are legal from the waist to the top of the head, including fighting in the clinch.

(3) Participants in the clinch may hold their opponent by the back of the neck in a downward position and punch to any legal strike zone of the opponent, with the exception of punches to the back of the head.

(4) Illegal techniques, strikes, and punches in Bare Knuckle Fighting are as follows:

(a) hitting the opponent below the belt;

(b) hitting an opponent who is down or is getting up after being down;

(c) deliberately maintaining a clinch without other action;

(d) wrestling or kicking the opponent;

(e) putting a finger into any orifice of the opponent or into any cut or laceration on an opponent, including fish hooking;

(f) pulling the opponent's hair;

(g) manipulating the opponent's fingers;

(h) striking an opponent who is helpless as the result of blows, but supported by the ropes and does not fall;

(i) butting the opponent with the head, shoulder, knee, or elbow;

(j) hitting the opponent with the elbow or forearm;

(k) striking the opponent's body over the kidneys;

(l) hitting the opponent on the back of the head or neck;

(m) gouging the opponent's eye in any manner;

(n) hitting during a break, signaled by the referee's command or physical act to separate the fighters;

(o) hitting the opponent after the bell has sounded, ending the round;

(p) using the ropes or cage to gain an advantage over the opponent;

(q) pushing the opponent around the fighting area or into the ropes or cage;

(r) timidity, excessive clenching, including intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece, running from an opponent, or other similar behavior;

(s) biting the opponent;

(t) headlocks;

(u) throat punches or strikes directly toward the throat of an opponent;

(v) fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face or eyes;

(w) no throws or takedowns;

(x) engaging in any other action not described in this subsection, deemed an intentional foul by the referee on the basis that the action poses a danger to the safety of either fighter, impedes fair and competitive play, or is unsportsmanlike;

(y) spinning back fists; and

(z) hammer-fists.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R457-1-1105

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-05, effective 2/20/2024