IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FIGHTERS

TGS Novice Fight Series Letterhead (210 x 50 mm).jpg

Testing Ground Smoker - Muay Thai
Rules, Regulations, and Schedule.

Muay Thai Rules

The Testing Ground Smoker - Muay Thai / Mod Thai

Get ready for an incredible event designed for up-and-coming fighters who value personal growth above all else. Every match is geared towards fostering individual development, with event officials carefully monitoring the intensity of each fight. Online registration is available for each event, and early sign-ups are highly recommended as registrations close the week before the show. Be a part of approximately ten thrilling fights. This event prioritises fairness and safety, with specific techniques, attire, and protective gear rules. Plus, all fighters must meet strict health, safety and hygiene requirements, including a recent Hepatitis C blood test. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!

Event Overview

1. The event is for beginners (<4 non-scored fights) and focuses on self-development.

2. All fights are considered a draw to encourage personal growth.

3. The event is exclusive for novice fighters.

4. If your fighter has had a scored fight, speak to us before registering to compete. On some occasions, an appropriate match can be found.

5. Event officials and medical staff will monitor the fights.

6. Event officials regulate the intensity of each fight.

7. The event is a space to display one's technique and conditioning. We request that fighters refrain from using full-strength power shots.

7. Fighters are matched based on age, sex, weight, and experience.

8. Professional sportsmanship and positive social conduct are expected.

9. Each team is provided with three corner passes. There are to be no more than three people in a corner.

10. Abusive language, behaviour or banging on the side of the boxing ring will not be tolerated.

Competitor Registration

1. Competitor registrations must be completed online at https://www.prostore.nz/testing-ground-fight-series

2. Early registration is recommended. As it increases the likelihood of a good match-up.

3. Registrations close the week before the event.

4. The Testing Ground Smoker events aim to feature around ten fights.

5. An entry fee applies to all fighters, which can be viewed on the ticket page.

6 All teams receive three corner passes. Fighter and corner passes are presented at the weigh-ins.

Fight Rules and Regulations

1. Each fight consists of 3 rounds, 2 minutes each, with a 1-minute break between rounds.

2. Adherence to officials' directions is mandatory.

3. Control of techniques and power is essential.

4. Deliberate attempts at a knockout are not permitted.

5. Knees to the body are allowed, but not to the head.

6. Elbows to the body are allowed, but not to the head.

7. Spinning back fists are not permitted.

8. Fighters must engage in the clinch by throwing knees and jostling for position.

9. Fighters must not hold onto the ropes.

10. Rear hip throws, deliberate foot trips, and stomping an opponent's feet are illegal.

11. Fighters may catch and hold a kick while counterattacking. No more than two footsteps are allowed when doing so.

Clothing and Personal Protective Wear

1. The fighter must wear a club top and Muay Thai or Kickboxing Shorts.

2. 16oz gloves and sparring-grade shin guards are mandatory (supplied by the event organiser).

3. Groin guards and mouthguards are compulsory (supplied by you).

4. Competitors must have two fitted mouthguards (supplied by you) in case one is lost before or during the fight.

5. Headgear and body protection are optional, but if worn, they are supplied by you and need to be authorised by a

Testing Ground Smoker official before use.

6. Standard training hand wraps are allowed, but no build-ups.

7. Boxing gloves, shin guards, groin guards, and mouthguards must be fitted before the walkout to enter the ring.

Health and Hygiene

1. Toenails must be trimmed and clean.

2. Clothing worn by the fighter must be clean.

3. Fighters must not have flu-like symptoms.

4. Fighters 16 years of age and older must have a valid blood test for Hep C.

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/mental-health-addictions/mental-health-addictions/hepatitis-c-community-clinic/

5. The blood test must have been administered within 12 months of the fight.

6. Fighters retain their blood tests for future use but must be shown to event officials at the weigh-in and medical check.

7. Fighters under 16 do not require a blood test unless there is a reason to believe one is needed. In that case, a safety-first approach is to be taken.

Schedule

9 am

Weigh-in, medical, fighters brief, group photo.
A blood report is required to be viewed by the official medic.
The minimum requirement is a Hep C test, valid for 12 months from the test date.
Main Ring

11 am

Doors open to the public
Titan Training Ground -Pro Store Entrance

12 pm - Onwards

First fight of the day!
Main Ring

Location

Titan Training Ground and ProStore.nz
93 Durham Street South, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023.

Testing Ground Smoker - Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Rules, Regulations, and Schedule.

MMA Rules

The Testing Ground Smoker (TGS)- Novice Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments are perfect for beginner MMA athletes who wish to develop their skills before progressing through the amateur classes.

Please thoroughly familiarise yourself with the rules and criteria for this competition.

The Testing Ground Smoker Novice Modified MMA event is an entry-level novice rules tournament.

This tournament is for athletes aged 12 and up. Fighters must not have previously participated in scored fights in MMA, Grappling, or Striking Arts (e.g., Kickboxing). This event is for new fighters seeking experience in a controlled and safe combat sports environment. It is for competitors who have competed in no more than three novice matches. If a fighter has had three novice matches, this will be their fourth and final fight on a TGS novice event.

Weigh-ins.

Same-day weigh-ins. If an appropriate match is unavailable your fighter's pass will convert to a spectator's pass.

Medical Check.

A valid Hep C blood report is to be sighted by the medic. The blood report must be within 12 months of the fight day. A medic will assess each fighter's blood pressure, heart rate, eyesight and range of motion. Fighters will take part in a medical history review.

Please note the pre-fight medical check is not a replacement for a fighter undergoing a physical examination with their medical provider. This medical check is to give novice fighters experience in pre-competition procedures. It does not replace medical testing, screening, and consultation with the fighter's usual medical practitioner(s).

Round Duration.

All divisions will have 3 x 3-minute rounds with a 1-minute break between rounds.

Decisions.

All fights are un-scored.

Equipment.

7oz/8oz sparring MMA gloves - The competition organiser supplies these.
Sparring grade shin pads (with no metal clasps) - The competition organiser supplies these.
Two firmly fitted mouthguards.
Groin guards are compulsory for all competitors, regardless of age or gender.
Rash guard, MMA or No-Gi shorts with No Zips or externally accessed pockets.
The fighters must wear a club patch or branding on their rash guard or shorts to represent and honour their team, coaches, and training partners.
Headgear and body protection are optional. The coach must notify the competition organiser in advance. If their fighter plans to use such, a competition official must check and authorise it before use.

Rules and Conditions.

Fighters must deliver their strikes with control. No deliberate attempts at a knock out, Excessive power use during contact will result in a warning, and any subsequent infraction will result in a disqualification (DQ). Please keep in mind that these are novice events. Coaches, please incorporate this level of striking into your preparation for the events. Fighters are to deliver techniques like in a controlled sparring session in the gym, with fight winners determined by skill rather than power or aggression. If one fighter taps out three times at any stage in the fight the fight will be over.

Fight officials including the medic and referee will moderate the fight for safety and to help each fighter to gain the experience required to improve. A smoker is a essentially hard sparring session.

Please take careful note of the following guidelines:

In addition to the documented fouls and prohibited techniques for novice amateur competitions, specific age categories will be subject to the following restrictions: Any throw executed must be a hip throw or "hip toss" variation and involve decisive head and arm control.

Our latest group of novice amateurs will focus extensively on applying and adapting mixed martial arts techniques in an environment that prioritises safety. The aforementioned technical restrictions facilitate the accumulation of essential experience for new competitors within a competitive framework, ensuring their well-being is not compromised.

Referees will allow liberal and proactive application of techniques, regardless of their conclusiveness. Specifically, a young competitor caught in a legal submission hold will have different leniency and opportunities to extricate themselves as an advanced senior. It is crucial to underscore safety as the foremost concern, especially for young athletes. Consequently, "technical submissions" will be prevalent in determining the conclusion of a match.

FOULS.

The following acts constitute a foul in mixed martial arts competition:

1. Head butting

2. Eye gouging

3. Biting or spitting at an opponent

4. Fish hooking

5. Hair pulling

6. Spiking the opponent onto the head or neck ("pile-driving")

7. Strikes to the spine or the back of the head. The spine includes the tailbone

8. Throat strikes of any kind or grabbing the trachea

9. Fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face/eyes.

10. Downward pointing elbow strike ("12 to 6")

11. Groin attacks of any kind

12. Kneeing or kicking the head of a grounded opponent

13. Stomping a grounded fighter

14. Holding an opponent's gloves, shorts, shin guards or rash guard

15. Holding or grabbing the fence with fingers or toes

16. Small joint manipulation (A fighter must control at least 3 of their opponent's fingers.)

17. Deliberately throwing an opponent out of the fighting arena

18. Intentionally placing a finger into any orifice, cut or laceration of the opponent

19. Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh

20. Deliberately avoiding engagement, dropping the mouthguard, or faking an injury or groin strike.

21. Use of abusive language in any area of the competition grounds.

22. Disregarding the instructions of the referee, medic or fight officials.

23. Unsportsmanlike conduct, especially that which causes an injury to an opponent/official.

24. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded to indicate the end of the round.

25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break or who is under the care of an official.

26. Interference from a mixed martial artist's cornermen ("seconds").

27. Applying any foreign substance to the head or body to gain an advantage.