Section 68IAC24-5-3. Fighting area requirements

   (a) Bouts must be held in a caged or ringed fighting area.

  (b) A caged fighting area must meet the following requirements:

(1) The fighting area floor must:

(A) be not less than eighteen (18) feet by eighteen (18) feet;

(B) be not more than thirty-two (32) feet by thirty-two (32) feet;

(C) be padded in a manner as approved by a commission representative, with at least one (1) inch layer of foam padding;

(D) not be more than four (4) feet above the floor of the building;

(E) have at least one (1) set of suitable steps or a ramp to provide entry onto the fighting area floor; and

(F) be enclosed by a fence made of such material as will not allow a professional mixed martial artist to fall out or break through it onto the venue floor or spectators, such as vinyl-coated chain link fencing.

(2) Padding must extend beyond the fighting area and over the edge of the platform.

(3) Posts must be:

(A) made of metal, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of fifty-eight (58) inches above the fighting area floor; and

(B) padded in a manner approved by a commission representative.

(4) Metal parts must:

(A) be covered and padded in a manner approved by a commission representative; and

(B) not be abrasive to the professional mixed martial artists.

  (c) A ringed fighting area without a fence must meet the following requirements:

(1) The fighting area floor must:

(A) be not smaller than twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet within the ropes;

(B) extend at least eighteen (18) inches beyond the ropes;

(C) not be more than four (4) feet above the floor of the building;

(D) be padded with ensolite or similar closed-cell foam, with at least one (1) inch layer of foam padding; and

(E) be clear of obstructions or objects.

(2) The fighting area must have three (3) sets of suitable steps, with one (1) set located in each of the following:

(A) the red corner;

(B) the blue corner; and

(C) one (1) neutral corner.

(3) One (1) of the corners must have a blue designation, and the corner directly across must have a red designation.

(4) Ring posts must be:

(A) made of metal, not more than three (3) inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of fifty-eight (58) inches above the fighting area floor;

(B) padded in a manner approved by a commission representative; and

(C) a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches away from the ring ropes.

(5) There must be five (5) ring ropes:

(A) wrapped in a soft material;

(B) not less than one (1) inch in diameter; and

(C) with spacing of:

(i) not less than twelve (12) inches apart; and

(ii) not more than fourteen (14) inches apart.

  (d) Fighting area specifications:

(1) must be approved; and

(2) may be altered;

by a commission representative. (Indiana Gaming Commission; 68 IAC 24-5-3; filed Aug 28, 2012, 1:57 p.m.: 20120926-IR-068110385FRA)