(a) All rules stated herein apply to the combative sport of muay thai fighting with the exception of §§61.107 - 61.111, unless this section conflicts with another rule stated herein. If a conflict occurs, this section prevails.
(b) Muay Thai is competition in which a person utilizes punches, elbows, and knees.
(c) It is permissible to strike an opponent's legs, arms, body, face, and head using the shin, knee, gloved fist or elbow.
(d) Contests will be scheduled for no more than five three-minute rounds with two-minute rest periods.
(e) Contestants must wear gloves weighing not less than 8 oz.
(f) Ankles may be taped or wrapped with approved non-metallic medical wrap.
(g) Male contestants must wear a foul-proof groin protector. Female contestants must wear foul-proof breast protectors. Plastic breast protectors are adequate.
(h) Spinning back fist blows are allowed, so long as contact is made only with the padded part of the glove.
(i) The following tactics are fouls and may result in disqualification or the deduction of one or more points, at the discretion of the referee;
(1) Head butts;
(2) Striking a downed opponent;
(3) Kicks, punches or any strikes to the groin, kidneys, or spine;
(4) Pricking or pressing eyes;
(5) Spitting or biting;
(6) Striking the throat area;
(7) Hair pulling;
(8) Wrestling or throwing opponent to ground;
(9) Performing any illegal holding or wrestling technique not part of Muay Thai;
(10) Holding or stepping on one of the ropes while fighting, elbowing, or striking;
(11) Any un-sportsmanlike conduct;
(12) Attacking on the break;
(13) Attacking after the bell has sounded, and
(14) Throwing in the towel during competition.
(j) The determination of the winner shall be as follows:
(1) by knockout;
(2) by technical knockout;
(3) by points on judges' score cards, with at least two rounds of five-round fights being completed, if both fighters are injured or counted out, and are unable to continue;
(4) by the referee stopping a match based upon a ring physician's advice;
(5) by the referee stopping a match when one fighter is outclassing the other;
(6) by a contestants corner stopping the bout;
(7) by the referee disqualifying a contestant for a violation of these rules.
Source Note: The provisions of this §61.112 adopted to be effective February 1, 2005, 30 TexReg 378; amended to be effective February 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 481