Legal Strikes : Amateur MMA

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 in a GCA Sanctioned Bout

• 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
• 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 pull self from action, or gain advantage.

Bout Time Lengths : Amateur MMA

Non-Title Amateur Bouts:

Three (3) rounds, three (3) minutes each, with a one minute rest in between rounds.

Title Amateur Bouts:

Three (3) rounds, five (5) minutes each, with one minute rest in between rounds.

How to Win : Amateur MMA

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.

Clothing and Equipment Guidelines : Amateur MMA

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 : Amateur MMA

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.  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