Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Length
- 3 rounds × 3 minutes (60-second rest between rounds)
- Championship fights: 5 rounds × 3 minutes
Permitted Strikes
- Punches (closed fist, MMA-gloved)
- Kicks (legs, body, head)
- Knee strikes (body + head, including jumping knees)
- Spinning techniques fully legal
Prohibited Techniques
- No elbows (since the early seasons; subject to change by edition)
- No takedowns (any attempt = referee reset)
- No ground fighting (if both fall, immediate stand-up)
- No clinch beyond ~5 seconds (referee separates)
Knockdowns + Knockouts
- Standing 10-count rule
- Three-knockdown rule per round = TKO
- KO = total victory; TKO via referee/doctor stoppage