§41-9-1033. Participant requirements.

No person shall arrange, promote, organize, produce, or participate in a match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, professional wrestling, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts unless he or she has complied with the following requirements:

(1) An examination by a physician who has certified that the boxer or mixed martial arts competitor is physically fit to compete safely. Copies of each certificate shall be provided to the commission prior to the match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts. The commission may require a boxer, tough man contestant, wrestler, or mixed martial arts competitor to undergo a physical examination, including neurological or neuropsychological tests and procedures.

(2) A physician approved by the commission shall be continuously present at ringside during every match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, tough man contest, professional wrestling, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts. The physician shall observe the physical condition of the boxers, tough man contestants, wrestlers, or competitors in mixed martial arts and advise the referee with regard to the boxers, tough man contestants, wrestlers, or competitors.

(3) One or more inspectors appointed by the commission as duly authorized representatives of the commission shall be present at each match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, tough man contests, professional wrestling, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts to ensure that the rules are strictly observed. An inspector or other duly authorized representative of the commission shall be present at the weigh-in and at the ring during the conduct of the match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts. Inspectors and other duly authorized representatives of the commission shall have free access to the dressing rooms of the professional boxers, tough man contestants, and mixed martial arts competitors.

(4) Each boxer, tough man contestant, wrestler, or competitor in mixed martial arts shall be covered by health insurance which will cover injuries sustained during the match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, tough man contest, professional wrestling, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts.

(5) An ambulance and medical personnel with appropriate resuscitation equipment shall be continuously present at the site during any match, contest, or exhibition of professional boxing, tough man contest, professional wrestling, amateur mixed martial arts, or professional mixed martial arts.

(Act 2009-622, p. 1872, §14; Act 2010-222, p. 392, §1; Act 2013-285, p. 961, §1.)