Effective February 27, 2009, Pennsylvania has joined the growing number of states to allow Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events. 

The rules in PA have been developed to ensure the safety of participants.  PA regulations require that all professional and amateur MMA fighters be at least 18 years old.  All MMA fighters must be licensed and take a pre-fight physical exam by a commission-approved doctor.  All fighters must provide an annual physical as well as a negative HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B exam at the time of licensing, and exams cannot be more than six months old.  Other exams may also be required, particularly for fighters over the age of 36.  Forms are available online by clicking the Forms menu at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/sac. 

MMA events in PA must be held in a ring or in a fenced area.  The five-rope ring must be at least 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square.  For cage events, the enclosed area must be circular or have at least six equal sides and be at least 20 feet wide and no larger than 32 feet wide.

All fighters must wear mixed martial arts shorts, biker shorts, boxing or kickboxing shorts.  Male fighters may not wear a shirt during the fight.  Professional fighters are required to wear 4-8 ounce open finger gloves; whereas amateur fighters are required to wear open finger gloves weighing at least 7 ounces.  All fighters are required to wear a mouth guard.  All male fighters are required to wear a groin protector and all female fighters are required to wear a chest protector.  Amateur fighters are also required to wear shin and instep pads and may wear ankle wraps. 

Amateur fighters with three or less bouts may not exceed three 2-minute rounds.  Amateur fighters with more than three bouts may not exceed three 3-minute rounds.  A non-championship professional MMA fight may not exceed three 5-minute rounds.  A championship professional MMA fight may not exceed five 5-minute rounds.  Each fight will must have 1 minute rest periods between each round.

The following are legal techniques in an amateur MMA fight:

• Closed hand strikes to head and body while standing.
• Kicking and knees to body and legs while standing.
• Throws, take downs, and sweeps.
• Standing submissions (chokes, armbars).
• Shouldering.
• Closed hand strikes to body and legs while on the ground.
• Ground submissions (chokes, armbars, straight leg locks only).

The following are illegal techniques in an amateur MMA fight:

• Elbows of any kind.
• Knees to head.
• Kicks to knees or head.
• Stomps on feet.
• Slamming.  Throws should be completed in a controlled manner.
• Throws against a joint.
• Neck cranks, spine locks, hammer locks, and heel hooks.
• Pinching, biting, or gouging.
• Striking to the head while on the ground.
• Finger locks and toe locks.
• Choking with hand on throat and smothering (hand over mouth).