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• Judges shall each be positioned in the middle of one side of the ring.
• Judges may not speak with anyone during the entire bout.
• Judges are allowed to speak to the referee during round breaks for any safety issues or if called upon by the referee for their opinion of a possible illegal strike.
• Judges must keep a MINIMUM of 18 inches between them and anyone else sitting near them.
• Judges of a bout shall individually score each round by marking their scorecards.
• Judges shall sign each of their scorecards.
• Judges are always required to circle the winner of a round (If individual round cards) or the bout itself (If Single Bout Scorecards are used).
• Judges may not leave their seats until the bout decision is announced.

• • NO CONTEST
    • When a no-fault foul happens in the first round and 1 or both cannot continue.
  • WINNER, LOSER
    • Unanimous Decision, Majority Decision or Split Decision.
  • DRAW
    • When all 3 Judges score equal points (Draw) for both fighters.
      • EXAMPLE:
        • Judge 1: 28-28
        • Judge 2: 28-28
        • Judge 3: 28-28.
  • MAJORITY DRAW
    • When 2 judges score both fighters even (DRAW) like 28-28 and 28-28.
    • The third judge scores for the other fighter a WIN such as 30-28.
    • The “Majority” (2 out of 3) score is the score that always counts for the decision.
      • EXAMPLE:
        • Judge 1: 28-28
        • Judge 2: 28-28
        • Judge 3: 30-28 Red.
  • SPLIT DECISION DRAW
    • When 2 judges score it for different fighter’s.
    • The third judge scores it a DRAW.
      • EXAMPLE:
        • Judge 1: 29-28 Red.
        • Judge 2: 29-28 Blue.
        • Judge 3: 28-28 Draw.
  • UNANIMOUS DECISION
    • When all 3 judges score the same winner – REGARDLESS of their actual numbers.
      • EXAMPLE 1
        • Judge 1: 30-27
        • Judge 2: 30-27.
        • Judge 3: 30-27.
          • EXAMPLE 2
            • Judge 1: 30-27
            • Judge 2: 29-28
            • Judge 3: 30-29.
  • SPLIT DECISION
    • When 2 judges score one fighter a winner – REGARDLESS of their actual numbers.
    • The third judge scores the other fighter a winner.
    • The Fighter with the “Majority” (2 out of 3) of the scores for him or her wins the bout.
      • EXAMPLE:
        • Judge 1: 30-28 Red.
        • Judge 2: 30-28 Red.
        • Judge 3: 30-28 Blue.
  • MAJORITY DECISION
    • When 2 judges score one fighter a winner – REGARDLESS of their actual numbers.
    • The third judge scores both fighters EVEN, as a draw.
      • EXAMPLE:
        • Judge 1: 30-28 Red Corner.
        • Judge 2: 30-28 Red Corner.
        • Judge 3: 28-28 Even.
  • TECHNICAL WIN (TW): TECHNICAL LOSE (TL), TECHNICAL DRAW
    • Usually resulting from a Foul. The outcome of this event was judged by the scorecards of the previous rounds.
  • TECHNICAL FORFEIT, TECHNICAL WIN
    • Usually from a pre-event disqualification or from invalid fight experience: not giving actual experience to the matchmaker prior to the event.)
  • TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT
    • A fighter has been stopped from fighting from taking too many blows or maybe knocked down 3 times in one round, but can still stand or is not knocked “OUT”. This is a fighter who is obviously hurt and the referee feels he/she cannot continue any longer. Any fighter who loses their bout by TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT will be suspended from Fighting for 25 days.
      • If the TKO (TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT) stop was not due to a head blow the fighter, trainer and or manager may make a request in writing to the PROMOTION Headquarters for a “Suspension Waiver”. Examples of bouts that end with a TKO decision that “Could” be accepted for “Suspension Waiver”. are:
        • A stop from an injury, except broken bones. (EX: Pulled muscle, twisted ankle etc.)
        • Stop from a body blow that did not do any internal damage or break any bones.
        • The fighter was simply too tired to continue.  
  • KNOCKOUT
    • A fighter shall be awarded a knockout if he knocks his opponent to the ring floor and the opponent is OUT COLD by the count of 10. A “KNOCKOUT” indicates that a fighter was “OUT COLD” after a strike. Any fighter who loses their bout by KO, or KNOCKOUT will be suspended from Fighting for 25 days. It is the responsibility of the fighter, trainer and manager to respect and abide by this rule for the personal safety of their own fighter.
      • There are no “Suspension Waivers” allowed for true KNOCKOUT losses. This is for the protection of the fighters.
  • DISQUALIFICATION
    • Usually, the decision is after an excessive Foul (or 1 harsh Foul.). The Referee and Ringside Representative shall make such a decision.
      • FOR EXAMPLE: If a fighter is injured from a Foul, and the fight continues but is later stopped because of additional injury to the fouled area, the scorecards will be tallied. If the fighter fouling is ahead on the scorecards a TECHNICAL DRAW will be the result of the fight. If the fighter not fouling is ahead, he will be awarded a TW (Technical Win) and the fighter fouling will be awarded a TL (Technical Loss) or DISQUALIFICATION.

• SCORE EACH AND EVERY ROUND AS A SINGLE FIGHT And EVERY Round Counts towards the final bout total.
  • SCORING CRITERIA
    • ACCURACY & EFFECTIVENESS
      • Number of Strikes that land cleanly on Target.
      • EFFECTIVENESS OF Each STRIKE.
      • If very few blows result in actual Damage, Judges will be required to score on effective strikes hitting clean targets as Judging Points.
    • DAMAGE
      • The amount of clear physical Damage one fighter does to the other.
      • NOT who threw the harder punches or kicks (Unless there were a lot of them), but who landed the most and did the most damage during the entire round.
      • IN AN EVEN ROUND, ONE good hard punch or a short flurry could win a round for a fighter in a round that up until that moment appeared EVEN to the judge.
      • ONE good hard punch or a short flurry WILL NOT win a round for a fighter in a round that up until that moment was being dominated by the other fighter UNLESS the flurry or strike resulted in a knockdown or standing 8 counts.
    • CONTROL / DOMINATION
      • Judges will evaluate which Fighter controlled the bout and the fighting ring best.
      • Judges will evaluate which fighter DOMINATED the bout.
      • Ring Control / Ring Generalship.
      • Physical Conditioning / Endurance.
      • Aggressive Attacks that land clean on a target doing damage.
      • Good defence against their opponent’s attack.
  • CLOSE ROUNDS
    • Although we would rather see a scored winner of a round, “IF” a judge TRULY feels both fighters appear to have evenly matched skill we would rather see a judge score the bout even at 10-10 instead of simply “Picking” a winner like the toss of a coin.
    • As noted above, ONE good hard punch or a short flurry does not win a round, unless the punch or flurry resulted in the referee administering a standing 8 count or counting over a fighter that was knocked down or the bout was even and in the end, one fighter landed one or several decisive blows that separated his “Dominance” of the round from the other fighter.
    • If both fighters seemed close, depending on the Rule Style (Full Contact, International, Unified, Muay Thai) the fighter with the more effective, accurate and or overall better “Technique For The Fighting Style” should be awarded 10 and the other fighter 9.
  • SCORING
    • Judges shall score each fighter between 7 and 10 points for each round.
    • The fighter who dominates the round will be given a 10 while the other fighter a 9.
    • No judge shall give a fighter less than 7 points for a round “UNLESS” there are “Point Deductions”. See “POINT DEDUCTIONS” below.
      • 10-10 round, indicates that according to the judge, BOTH fighters showed even or equal skill and no clear winner could be determined by the judge.
      • 10-9 round, indicates one fighter was somewhat more effective than the other or even dominated the round without a knockdown or standing 8 count.
        A 10-9 could also be given in a round where the dominating fighter was knocked down once in the round.
      • 10-8 round indicates one fighter was in constant control and clearly out fought his opponent as far as technique within the ring “AND” scored a standing 8 count or a knockdown on his/her opponent.
        The 10 score would be given to the fighter who forced the knockdown or a standing 8 count.
      • 10-7 round indicates total domination by one fighter in all aspects to the point that the referee nearly stopped the fight.
        There should have been at least 2 standing 8 counts and or 2 clear knockdowns.
      • 9-9 score indicates one or both fighters scored 10, but a point deduction brought the score down to 9-9.

Again, these are just some EXAMPLES. There are many other possibilities in final scoring, especially when point deduction, standing 8 counts and knockdowns all intermix together in a single round.

A ring announcer is an in-ring (and sometimes on-camera) employee or contractor for a boxing, professional wrestling or mixed martial arts event or promotion, who introduces the competitors to the audience.

In kICKboxing and mixed martial arts bouts, introductions occur after both fighters have entered the ring or cage. Along with each fighter’s name, the announcer typically also announces their height, weight, town, nickname, win/loss record and any current or past titles the fighter has won.

1. Referee’s Qualification
   • Must have No Physical disabilities.
   • Must be at least 21 years old.
   • Must be trained and tested by an Officially Licenses & Certified Instructor
   • Must be certified and registered as a Referee as properly qualified.
   • Must not be over 60 years of age unless an extension is approved by the Promotion itself
2. DRES’S CODE
   • PANTS – MANDATORY
     • Referees are required to wear black slacks.
   • OFFICIALS SHIRT – MANDATORY
     • Referees are required to wear an Officials Shirt.
   • SHOES
     • Shoes must be BLACK Soft rubber sole shoes.
   • BELT FOR PANTS
     • The belt buckle must be either small in size, covered or without a large buckle.
   • GLOVES
     • Referees must wear rubber surgical gloves during all bouts.- Black
     • Referee must supply their own gloves.
   • NOT ALLOWED
     • Jewellery
     • Referees may not wear:
       • Hats
       • Watch
       • Jewellery
       • Glasses – Unless they are polycarbonate “rec specs”.

To Ensure the Safety of the Fighters.

2 or 3 referees are needed, depending on if a pro event and how many bouts
The ring referee shall be in charge of the general supervision of the bout.
He enforces the PROMOTION rules and regulations as stated in this document.
He shall promote the safety of the fighters within the ring and shall ensure a fair fight between the fighters.

1. The referee, before each bout, shall ask each fighter who their chief second/trainer is at ringside. The referee shall hold said trainer responsible for the conduct of his assistants & during the bout, assuring they follow the Official Promotion Cornerman Rules.
2. The Referee MUST make sure that each fighter understands their language so there will be no confusion as to “Ring Commands” during the fight.
   • Three verbal commands need to be recognized:
     • “STOP” when ordering the fighters to stop fighting.
     • “BREAK” when ordering the fighters to separate.
     • “FIGHT” when ordering the fighters to continue the match.
     • When the fighters are ordered to “BREAK“, both must step back a minimum of 3 steps before the referee continues the fight.
3. The referee shall call both fighters to the centre of the ring before each bout for final instructions, each fighter shall be accompanied by his chief second. This should not be a SPEECH. This should be a basic reminder of, EX: “Gentlemen, obey my commands at all times and let’s have a fair fight.“
4. STARTING THE BOUT
   • Immediately before the bout begins, the fighters shall bow to the referee, followed by the fighters bowing to each other. Once done, the referee shall instruct the fighters to “FIGHTING POSITIONS” and signal the timekeeper to begin the bout. The timekeeper will ring the bell and the bout will begin.
5. In a FULL CONTACT RULES Bout
   • In a FULL CONTACT RULES bout the referee has the responsibility of making sure each fighter is attaining their requested number of kicks per round. If not, the Referee shall warn such fighter, and ultimately have the power to deduct a point if the fighter continues not to meet their requested minimum kick count.
6. In a MUAY THAI RULES Bout
   •  
7. RUNNING FROM YOUR OPPONENT
   • The Referee will warn a fighter who continually runs from his opponent not to do so. If a fighter continues to do so, a 1 point deduction will be given to the fighter for INTENTIONAL EVASION OF CONTACT.
8. LEG SWEEPS, CUT KICKS, SLIPS OR FALLS
   • A-Foot to foot, to the inside & outside of opponents front foot is permitted.
   • No spin sweeps.
   • No sweeps above the footpad.
   • No sweeping the supporting leg unless in a Muay Thai bout.
   • All sweeps/kicks to the legs that cause a fighter to fall from loss of footing, slipping WILL NOT be counted as a knockdown.
   • If the FALL ITSELF causes injury, the referee will begin a count on the downed fighter. If the fighter does not stand by the count of 10, the bout is over and the downed fighter loses. If the kick to the legs INJURES the fighter and he/she is forced to drop to 1 knee or to the ring floor due to the INJURY to their legs, the referee will begin a count.
   • Again, if the fighter fails to stand after the count of 10 “OR” limps in pain once up, the referee shall stop the bout and that fighter shall be declared the loser by KO.
9. STANDING 8 COUNTS
   • During a flurry, the Referee shall not step in to stop the action when the fighters are still standing “Strong.”
   • If a fighter looks helpless and receives several blows to the head or body but continues to stand, not move and not be able to defend him or herself, the referee will step in and give the fighter a standing 8 count.
   • At this time, the Referee is to look over the fighter and if the referee feels necessary, he/she may stop the fight at this time.
   • If a fighter is not standing “Strong‘ and his/her eyes are not clear, the referee may choose to stop a bout prior to a standing 8 count if the fighter getting beat is not able to hold up his/her hands to chin height and still protect him/herself.
   • At ANY time, the referee can request the ringside physician to come up to the ring and make a true medical determination whether a fighter should continue or not.
10. KNOCKDOWNS & KNOCKOUTS
    • If a fighter is knocked down 3 times in 1 round, the fight is over.
    • Sweeps do not count as a KNOCKDOWN and a leg kick to a single supporting leg do not either.
    • If a fighter is knocked down to the ring floor or falls to the floor, he must get up under his own power.
    • Fighters can only be saved by the bell in the final round.
    • If one fighter is knocked down, the referee must instruct the other fighter to retreat to the farthest neutral corner – WHITE.
11. CLINCHING
    • The referee must wait until a count of 3 before breaking up any clinch on all Full Contact & International Rule Bouts. Let the fighters fight out of it.
    • The referee check with the promoter and or  Representative of the clinch time agreed upon and then verify this to both fighters and their trainers before the start of the bout.
12. CORNERMAN RULES
    • The Referee will give a maximum of -2- warnings ONLY to a cornerman or second that lean on top of the ring floor, Touch the ring ropes, slap or hit the ring, yell or coach his/her fighter or yell at any official during the fighting round.
    • If after -2- warnings, said cornerman or seconds continue to do so, both amateurs and pros, the fighter who’s corner is not following the rules and regulations of a cornerman could lose a point or his/her corner/trainer could be fined, suspended or disqualified from the match by the representative at ringside.
    • If disqualified, the fighter will lose by TKO.
    • The only person other than the referee and the fighters allowed to touch the ring canvas during the middle of a round, shall be the timekeeper who shall slap the ring canvas “3” times when 10 seconds remains in each round.
13. PROTECTING FIGHTERS FROM OUTSIDE DISTRACTION
    • If a spectator throws any object from the crowd into the ring, TIME will be called by the referee & event security will escort the spectator out of the arena room.
    • The spectator will be subject to arrest & fines.
    • If a second or corner throws anything into the ring, it will be taken as a request to stop the fight and said corner will lose by technical knockout.
14. FOULING-STOPPING THE FIGHT
    • The referee shall administer the following for fouls:
      • 1st time-Warning to the fighter.
      • 2nd time, deduction of 1 point.
      • 3rd time, disqualification.
        • (*) If the foul is severe, the referee could stop the bout at ANY time.
    • NON INTENTIONAL FOUL
      • If the referee determines that the fighter being fouled needs time to recover, he may stop the fight and the time and give the injured fighter time to recover. At the end of such time, the referee and ringside doctor shall determine if the fighter can continue. If so, the round will begin at the stopped time. If not, the referee shall gather all 3 judges score cards and the winner will be determined by who was ahead on the 3 score cards at the time of the foul. If the fighters were even, a TECHNICAL DRAW will be awarded. If the foul occurs in the first round, a NO CONTEST shall be awarded to each fighter.
    • INTENTIONAL FOUL
      • If the referee determines that the fighter being fouled needs time to recover, he may stop the fight and the time and give the injured fighter time to recover. At the end of such time, the referee and ringside doctor shall determine if the fighter can continue. If so, the round will begin at the stopped time. If not, the referee shall gather all 3 judges score cards and the winner will be determined by who was ahead on the 3 score cards at the time of the foul.
      • Before the start of the fight, the Referee has to determine whether he/she will:
        1. Offer a Warning to the Fouling Fighter.
        2. Take a 1 point deduction from the fighter committing the foul.
        3. Disqualify the Fouling Fighter.
      • If the fouled fighter cannot continue:
        1. If the fouled fighter cannot continue after the INTENTIONAL FOUL, regardless of the scorecards, the fouled fighter will automatically win by disqualification.
    • Should it be necessary to stop the match or penalize a fighter, the Referee will immediately advise the reason to the   Event Representative after making the announcement.
15. COUNTING OVER A DOWNED FIGHTER
    • When a fighter is knocked down or purposely falls down without will to stand, the referee shall instruct the other fighter to retreat to the farthest neutral corner of the ring from the downed fighter.
    • The count of the downed fighter by the ringside timekeeper must begin once the fallen fighter touches the ring floor.
    • If the referee was occupied by instructing the other fighter to retreat to the furthest neutral corner, the referee upon returning to the downed fighter shall pick up the actual count from the ringside timekeeper who shall make the count clear and visible by counting with his fingers over his head so the referee can pick the count up clearly.
    • From there, the referee shall continue the count over the downed fighter with the referee showing with his arm in motion the number of the count with 1 hand up to 5 and continuing on the same hand up to 5 fingers to signal a count of 10.
    • At the end of each downward motion shall be the count of each number.
    • If the fighter stands during the count, the referee shall continue the count. If the standing fighter leaves the neutral corner, the Referee will stop the count and once again, instruct the standing fighter back to the neutral corner and then restart the count from the point of interruption when the standing fighter complies.
    • If the fighter on the canvas does not stand before the count of 10, the standing fighter shall be determined the winner by knockout.
    • If the referee feels that the fighter can continue, the referee shall wipe the end of the fighters gloves on the referee’s shirt before continuing the fight.
16. PROCEDURE IF A FIGHTER FALLS OUT OF RING
    • If a fighter falls through the ring ropes and out of the ring, the referee shall order his opponent to stand in an opposite neutral corner and if the boxer remains outside the ropes, the referee shall start a count to 10.
    • The fighter who has fallen outside the ropes has up to 30 seconds to return to the ring.
    • If the fighter returns to the ring before the count ends, he/she will not be penalized for a “Standing 8 count” UNLESS it was a strike from his/her opponent that sent him/her through the ropes and out of the ring.
    • If anyone prevents the fallen fighter from returning to the ring, the referee shall warn such person or stop the fight if he continues his action.
      • If this person is associated with his/her opponent, the fallen fighter will win by disqualification.
    • If both boxers fall out of the ring, the referee shall start counting.
      • If one boxer tries to prevent his/her opponent from returning to the ring before the count ends, he/she will be warned or disqualified.
    • If both boxers fall out of the ring, the referee shall start counting and the fighter that returns to the ring before the count ends will be considered the winner.
      • If both returns within the 30 seconds allowed, the fight can continue.
      • If neither boxer can, the result will be considered a draw.
17. OFFICIAL SIGNAL OF THE REFEREE FOR END OF BOUT
    • If the referee determines that the fight is over by a knockdown, knockout, TKO, foul etc, the referee will indicate so by crossing both hands ABOVE his/her head and or over his face as he/she steps between the fighters.
18. STOPPING OF A BOUT
    • The referee, ringside physician shall have the power to stop a bout.
19. SCORECARDS
    • At the end of each bout, the Referee will collect the scorecards from each of the three judges, inspect them to assure each is correct and SIGNED by each judge and submit them to the IKF Event Representative or IKF Scorekeeper, whichever has been designated by the IKF Event representative to tally the scores.
    • Once a decision has been reached, the referee will bring both fighters to center ring. Upon announcement of the winner the referee will raise that fighters hand.
    • For TITLE BOUTS
      • At the end of each ROUND, the Referee will collect the scorecards from each of the three judges, inspect them to assure each is correct and SIGNED by each judge and submit them to the IKF Event Representative or IKF Scorekeeper, whichever has been designated by the IKF Event representative to tally the scores.