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Secretary of State updates boxing and MMA rules to match unified standards and modernize processes
Summary
The Secretary of State's office updated combative‑sports administrative rules, aligning North Dakota with recently revised unified MMA rules, modernizing boxing language and clarifying medical, weigh‑in and equipment processes.
The Office of the Secretary of State presented amendments to state combative‑sports rules on July 30 that align North Dakota with updated unified rules for mixed martial arts and modernize language and processes for boxing and mixed fighting styles.
Liz Parent, fiscal and administrative services director for the secretary of state, said the office moved to update North Dakota Administrative Code chapters governing boxing and mixed martial arts after the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports adopted changes to unified MMA rules in November 2024. Parent said the association’s updates required state rule edits; the office used the opportunity to modernize licensure, identification, medical testing availability, weigh‑in procedures and electronic filing processes.
Parent summarized key MMA edits that the Association adopted: removal of elbow strikes as a foul and an updated definition clarifying what constitutes a grounded opponent. The secretary of state’s office also proposed clarifications for ID requirements for contestants, qualifications for ring roles such as corner staff and physicians, expanded availability of pre‑fight medical tests when a contestant’s safety is in question, clarified responsibilities for providing gloves and sanitation of equipment, and updated invoice procedures for promoters.
The office held a public hearing July 9, accepted written comments through July 25 and received no oral or written comments. Parent said the legal review and public‑notice steps were followed, the notice publication cost was $2,157.52 and no emergency rules or statutory changes prompted the amendments.
Why it matters: the updates align state rules with contemporary nationally recognized safety standards and clarify administrative processes for promoters and contestants; some promoters or contestants may face modest additional costs for supplies or extra medical reviews requested for safety.
Parent advised the committee the rule changes were not expected to increase annual licensing costs but noted promoters could see slight cost increases to meet new supply or safety requirements and that contestants might incur additional costs if extra medical information or testing is required for clearance.
