Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

 

Protocol and Timeline for the Scheduling of Professional MMA Events - Maryland Athletic Commission

 

Publishing Protocol and Timeline for the Scheduling of Professional MMA Events

  • The protocol and timeline for the scheduling of professional MMA events in the State of Maryland will be published on the Maryland State Athletic Commission / Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) website at some point prior to July 6, 2009.

    [Note: In addition to its efforts to establish a protocol and timeline for the scheduling of professional MMA events, the Maryland State Athletic Commission also will be establishing criteria in the near future for the approval of amateur kickboxing organizations and amateur MMA organizations to supervise amateur MMA contests in the State of Maryland.]

Effective Date of MMA Regulations

  • MMA regulations became effective on July 6, 2009.

Acceptance of Proposed Dates to Hold Professional MMA Events

  • So that the Maryland State Athletic Commission is able to effectively, and fairly, consider each request for its sanctioning of a professional MMA event, promoters will be required to apply to the Commission for sanctioning of a professional MMA event at least 60 days prior to the date of the proposed professional MMA event.
  • A promoter will be permitted to schedule a professional MMA event more than 60 days from the date of applying to the Maryland State Athletic Commission for a sanction; provided that the promoter submits to the Commission a signed contractual agreement between the promoter and the venue for the specified date on which the event is to be held.

Applying for Dates on a First-Come, First-Served Basis

  • Licensed promoters are welcome to apply to the Maryland State Athletic Commission for dates to hold professional MMA events on a "first come, first served" basis. Promoters should send written correspondence to the Commission via facsimile, e-mail, U.S. mail or hand-delivery requesting a specific date, location and time to hold a professional MMA event.
  • A licensed promoter may apply for only one date to hold a professional MMA event in any of the 30-day segments noted above; however, a promoter may designate one alternative date in the same 30-day segment for the Commission's consideration in the event the promoter loses a "lottery" as described below. If the promoter's first choice for a date is approved by the Commission, the promoter's second choice for a date will not be considered by the Commission.
  • In instances where two or more promoters formally apply to the Commission on the same day for the same date, and none of the promoters are holding a professional MMA event in a venue which seats more than 5,000 people (see below), a lottery system will be invoked to determine which promoter receives the Commission's approval for that date.

Venues of 5,000 Seats or More

  • In instances where two or more promoters apply on the same day for the same date, the Maryland State Athletic Commission will first approve the request of the promoter who is holding a professional MMA event in a venue which seats more than 5,000 people; provided that the promoter submits to the Commission a signed contractual agreement between the promoter and the venue which seats more than 5,000 people for the specified date on which the event is to be held.
  • A promoter who is holding a professional MMA event in a venue which seats more than 5,000 people will not be subject to the 60-day time frames (noted above) on scheduling a professional MMA event; and will be permitted to apply for a date to hold a professional MMA event on any date within six months (180 days) of the date the promoter applies to the Commission for approval.

One Sanctioned Boxing, Kickboxing or MMA Event Permitted Per Night

  • Due to the availability and duties of Maryland State Athletic Commission staff, the Commission will only sanction and regulate one boxing, kickboxing or MMA event per night. Unless special permission is granted by the Commission, a boxing, kickboxing or MMA event cannot be held on the same night as the scheduled weigh-in activity of another event.

Out-of State MMA Officials

  • Along with experienced MMA officials (referees and judges) who reside in the State of Maryland, the Maryland State Athletic Commission may utilize experienced MMA officials (referees and judges) who live out-of-state to officiate professional MMA events.
 
 
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