WKF – World Kickboxing Federation (MMA – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS) AMATEUR RULEBOOK, as of 12/03/2017.
WKF – World Kickboxing Federation (MMA – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS) AMATEUR RULES RULEBOOK
Edition March 2017
Introduction
This Rulebook replaces all previously issued rules. It also reflects the official WKF Amateur MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) competition Rules. These current rules are valid for all member states. Consideration can be given to local legal requirements and obligations if required. The official language of the IRC is English. This Rulebook can be translated in to other languages by the IRC. In case of any discrepancies, the official English version shall prevail. Without the specific written consent of either WKF or the IRC, this Rulebook shall not be copied, published or distributed. This includes electronic, digital, physical or any other duplication forms. This Rulebook can be ordered free through our WKF World Kickboxing Federation Limited email at: wkfworld@wkf.org.au. Copyright: World Kickboxing Federation Limited – Mr Robert WILESMITH: WKF World Advisory Board Director.
1. MMA – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
WKF MMA rules permit all styles of Martial Arts fighting. The competitors fight the scheduled rounds to a Judge’s decision, or until one submits, or until the Doctor, Referee, or designated second stops the fight.
1.1 The Ring
The fighting area shall be a regular cage or Boxing ring according AIBA standard, as approved by the WKF. A standard boxing type rope ring or MMA type cage is allowed subject to WKF approval. If a standard boxing type roped ring is used it shall have four or five ring ropes and the ring floor shall extend beyond the ropes not less than 50 cm. Padding must extend over the edge of the platform, the area around the ring must be matted. The fighting area must have a canvas covering. No vinyl or other plastic rubberised covering will be permitted. If fencing is used then all metal parts must be covered and padded in a manner approved by the WKF.
1.2 Height of Ring or Cage
The ring platform shall be at least 70 cm above the floor of the building and shall be provided with suitable steps or ramp for use by the Fighters. Ring-side tables must be no higher than ring platform level and must run the full length of all four sides of the ring.
2. Fighters’ Eligibility
2.1. Amateur Status
No Fighter may compete in an WKF MMA Amateur bout, if the Fighter has competed as a Professional in any combat sport without the express written approval of the WKF.
2.2. Fighters’ Association Membership
WKF licensing is mandatory for all Fighters and Promoters. All fighters must sign an WKF approved liability waiver for each bout.
2.3. Suspended Fighters
Any Fighter who is currently under suspension by the WKF or by any athletic commission will not be permitted to participate in any WKF event for the duration of the suspension.
3. Pre Fight Regulations
3.1. Examination of Fighters
Any Fighter applying for eligibility to compete in an WKF event must be examined by a Physician certified by the WKF, to establish both physical and mental fitness for competition.
3.2. Weight Distribution – MEN AND WOMEN WEIGHT DIVISIONS
- ATOMWEIGHT: Under 47kg
- STRAWWEIGHT: 47.1kg – 50kg
- FLYWEIGHT: 51.1kg – 52.2kg
- BANTAMWEIGHT: 52.3kg – 56.7kg
- FEATHERWEIGHT: 56.8kg – 61.2kg
- LIGHTWEIGHT: 61.3kg – 65.8kg
- WELTERWEIGHT: 65.9kg – 70.3kg
- MIDDLEWEIGHT: 70.4kg – 77.1kg
- LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: 77.2kg – 83.9kg
- HEAVYWEIGHT: 84.0kg – 93.0kg
- SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT: Over 93.1kg+
3.3. Weight Time
Fighters will be weighed on or before the day of the match, at a time to be determined by the WKF A1 Supervisor, on scales approved by the WKF.
3.4. Minimum Ages of Fighters
No Fighter shall participate in an WKF MMA event, if he is less than 18 years of age.
- Male and female cadets can fight in the category after the 16th birthday and before the 18th
- All Fighters seeking eligibility to compete in an WKF event must provide proof of age, such as a notarized copy of their Birth Certificate, or a Government issued form of identification.
3.5. Fighters Must Report
All Fighters or representative Second, must attend the pre-fight meeting held by the WKF Representative. This meeting will typically be following the weigh-in, or during the afternoon before the event. In addition, Fighters will be required to report for physicals, and to their dressing rooms, at the time specified by the WKF Representative. Failure to do so will result in fines as per the WKF fine schedule, and possibly result in the Fighter being dropped from the event. All fines will be retained by the WKF. All Fighters, once they report to the WKF Representative or the Supervisor in charge of dressing rooms immediately prior to the start of an event, are not to leave the facility, and are subject to urinalysis and fines, if they do not remain in approved areas.
3.6. Fighters’ Appearance
All Fighters must be clean and present a tidy appearance. Only Vaseline may be applied lightly, and only to the face of a fighter. No other product may be permitted. Fingernails and toenails must be well trimmed.
3.7. Fighters Disqualified or Declared Ineligible
Fighters who are declared ineligible for their bouts due to excessive weight, misrepresented age, physical incapacities pre-known to the Fighter, or other wilful violation of WKF regulations, will be subject to fines and suspension by the WKF Supervisor. Unless otherwise specified in the Fighter’s contract, the Promoter will have no obligation to the ineligible Fighter, and may demand reimbursement from the Fighter for any expenses pre-paid by the Promoter. The Promoter will, however, be obligated to pay the expenses of the opposing Fighter who presents himself properly, plus any cancellation settlements if provided for in that Fighter’s contract. Fighters who are disqualified during their bout for wilful gross rule violations, or unprofessional performance, or who represent themselves improperly following their bout, may be subject to the same penalties, at the discretion of the WKF Representative, with the approval of the WKF Commissioner.
3.8. Fighters and/or Trainers on Suspension
Fighters and or Trainers who are on disciplinary suspension may not participate in any function of a match for the duration of the suspension. They may not be in the locker room or at ringside in any role or capacity.
4. Fighters and Seconds Apparel
4.1 Apparel
Apparel approved by the WKF Representative must be worn by all Fighters upon entering the ring. Any Fighters presenting themselves in attire deemed inappropriate may be fined by the WKF Representative, and will not compete in their bout until they present themselves according to regulations. No shoes, no shirts for male contestants, no metal zippers on shorts, no rings, jewellery, or items other than those allowed may be worn.
4.2 Protective Equipment
MMA GLOVES – STANDARD SPECIFICATION (minimum of 7 oz.)
All gloves must be of a professional quality and must be approved by the WKF Representative. All gloves must be made so as to fit the hands of any Fighter whose hands may be unusual in size. The make and type of all gloves must be approved in advance by the WKF Representative. The Referee must inspect and approve any tape used on the gloves. If the gloves have been used previously, they must be whole, clean and subject to inspection by the Referee or by the WKF A1 Supervisor as to condition. If they found to be imperfect, the gloves will be changed before the bout starts. No breaking, roughing, or twisting of gloves shall be permitted.
HAND AND FOOT/ANKLE WRAPPINGS
The wrapping of hands is allowed according to the following specifications: Fighters who wish to wrap their hands shall be responsible for their own gauze and tape. Gauze shall be of the soft or soft-stretch type, and shall not exceed 2 cm in width. Tape shall be of the soft adhesive type and shall not exceed 2.5 cm inches in width. One ten yard roll of gauze and not more than two yards of tape, are the maximum allowable amounts for each hand. No other materials, including pre-made hand wraps, shall be allowed; nor shall any amounts exceeding those listed be allowed under any circumstances. Gauze shall be for the protection of the hand only, and the amount shall be the discretion of the WKF Representative. Tape shall be present only to hold the gauze in place, and no more than one layer of tape be allowed on the striking surface of the hand and only 1 strip between the fingers. The wrapping of feet/ankles is not mandatory. Fighters who wish to wrap their feet/ankles shall be responsible for their own gauze and tape, or may use an approved neoprene ankle brace. Gauze shall be of the soft or soft-stretch type, and shall not exceed 2 cm in width. Tape shall be of the soft adhesive type and shall not exceed 2.5 cm in width. The use of footgear is prohibited. The WKF Representative, or his designee, must inspect all hand and foot/ankle wrappings.
GROIN PROTECTORS
All male and female Fighters are required to wear an approved groin protector. A plastic cup with an athletic supporter is adequate. A breast protector for female Fighters is high recommended.
MOUTHPIECE
All fighters must wear fitted mouthpieces. All fighters are required to have an extra mouthpiece ringside during their match.
4.3. Number of Seconds and their appearance
Each Fighter may have up to three Seconds of his choice and each Second, while assisting the Fighter must wear an WKF approved uniform (subject to the approval of the WKF Representative), must present a neat and tidy appearance, provide a pail, tape, water bottle and other equipment necessary to perform his function. Seconds may not sit, stand on, lean on or touch the cage / ring apron during the course of the bout, nor otherwise interfere physically or verbally with the bout or the duties of the Officials. Seconds must remain in designated areas assigned to them by the WKF A1 Supervisor during the bout. The WKF A1 Supervisor may levy fines and/or disqualification of the Fighter for improper and unprofessional conduct by the Seconds. A Manager or Chief Second may toss a towel into the ring in token of the defeat of his principal.
5. CONDUCT OF BOUTS
5.1 Duration of Amateur Bouts
A maximum of three rounds three minutes with a break for one minute will be scheduled for each bout. In case of a draw one extra round for three minutes is compulsory. All cadets will fight for two rounds three minutes with a break for one minute. In case of a draw one extra round for three minutes is compulsory. The fight continues until one Fighter submits, his Corner throws in the towel, the Referee stops the fight or the Doctor stops the contest, or the time limit of the rounds expires. The time runs continuously and may be called or stopped only by the Referee in special cases, such as equipment malfunction or commitment of a foul.
5.2. Referee Instruction
The Referee will, before starting a bout, ascertain from each Fighter the name of his Chief Handler and will hold said Chief Handler responsible for the conduct of his Assistant Handler(s) during the progress of a bout. Immediately before the bout commences, the Referee will call the Fighters to the centre of the ring and address them for the final time before the bout commences. The Fighters will then return to their corner and wait for the Referee’s command to begin. The Referee will signal the Timekeeper and the bout will commence. The Referee will supervise the action of the bout insuring that it is conducted adhering to all of the safety and fairness rules, regulations and policies.
5.3. Authorised Offensive Techniques
1. LEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE STANDING
- Closed hand strikes to the head and body. Spinning Back Fist
- Kicks to the head, body and legs
- Knees to body and legs
- Throws/Take downs/Sweeps
- Standing Submissions
- Chokes
- Arm bars and locks
- Shouldering
2. LEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE ON THE GROUND
- Closed hand strikes to body and legs
- Submissions (Chokes, Arm Bars/Locks, Straight Leg Locks ONLY)
3. ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE STANDING (FOULS)
- Elbows
- Knees to head
- Linear Kicks to knees
- Stomps on feet
- Groin strikes
- Intentionally Hitting back of head
- Spine or kidney strikes
- Excessive Slamming
- Throws onto head or neck (spiking)
- Throws against a joint
- Throwing out of competition area
- Neck cranks (turning the neck)
- Holding ropes or cage or holding the uniform or protective padding
- Pinching, biting, gouging, and anything that might be considered “dirty fighting”
- Fish hooking
4. ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES WHILE ON GROUND (FOULS)
- Elbow strikes
- Neck cranks (twisting the neck)
- Heel hooks
- Finger locks or Toe Locks
- Choking with hand on throat
- Smothering (hand over mouth)
- Spine locks
- Hammer locks
- Fish hooks
- Groin strikes
- Spine strikes
- Throwing out of competition area
- Pinching, biting, gouging, and anything that might be considered “dirty fighting”
- Grabbing or holding the uniform or protective padding.
5.4. FOULS (other than those mentioned above)
Fouls, at the discretion of the Referee, based on the intent of the Fighter committing the foul and the result of the foul, may cause time to be stopped in the bout and warnings, recuperation time and/or Disqualification being issued. Anything not expressly included above as legal techniques may be considered a foul, including but not limited to:
- HEAD BUTTING
- EYE GOUGING
- BITING
- HAIR PULLING
- FISH-HOOKING
- GROIN ATTACKS OF ANY KIND
- PUTTING A FINGER INTO AN ORIFICE OR INTO A CUT
- SMALL JOINT MANIPULATION / FINGER LOCKS
- STRIKING THE SPINE OR THE BACK OF THE HEAD
- STRIKING WITH THE ELBOW OR FOREARM
- KNEE STRIKES TO THE HEAD
- LINEAR KICKS TO THE KNEES
- HEEL HOOKS
- SPINE LOCKS
- NECK CRANKS
- EXCESSIVE SLAMMING
- STOMPS ON THE FEET
- THROWS AGAINST A JOINT
- THROAT STRIKES OR GRABBING THE TRACHEA
- CLAWING, TWISTING OR PINCHING THE FLESH
- GRABBING THE CLAVICLE
- STRIKING THE HEAD OF A GROUNDED OPPONENT
- PURSUING AN OPPONENT TO THE GROUND WHO HAS BEEN DOWNED BY A DAMAGING STRIKE
- STOMPING A GROUNDED OPPONENT
- STRIKING THE KIDNEY
- SPIKING AN OPPONENT TO THE CANVAS ON HIS HEAD OR NECK
- PUSHING OR THROWING AN OPPONENT OUT OF THE RING
- HOLDING THE SHORTS OR GLOVES OF AN OPPONENT
- SPITTING
- ENGAGING IN ANY UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT THAT CAUSES AND INJURY
- HOLDING THE FENCE
- USING ABUSIVE LANGUAGE
- ATTACKING ON THE BREAK
- ATTACKING YOUR OPPONENT WHILE HE’S UNDER THE CARE OF THE REFEREE
- ATTACKING AFTER THE BELL
- FLAGRANTLY DISREGARDING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE REFEREE
- TIMIDITY, INCLUDING AVOIDING CONTACT, LOSING YOUR MOUTHPIECE, FAKING INJURY
- INTERFERENCE FROM THE CORNER MAN
Fouls result in a point being deducted by the official Scorekeeper from the offending contestant’s score. (The Judges should only make notations of points deducted by the Referee, for each round). Only a Referee can assess a foul. If the Referee does not call the foul, Judges must not make that assessment on their own. A fouled Fighter has up to three minutes to recuperate. If a foul is committed:
- The Referee shall stop time and shall check the fouled contestant’s condition and safety. The Referee shall then assess the foul to the offending contestant, deduct points, and notify the Corner Men, Judges and official scorekeeper
- If a bottom contestant commits a foul, unless the top contestant is injured, the fight will continue. If top contestant is injured, he will be give his recovery time and then put back into top position if able to continue.
NOTE: A fighter who executes a fouling technique which is deemed malicious (with the intent of causing injury above and beyond the scope reasonably expected in a bout of this nature), may be subject to bearing the medical, as well as related recovery and recuperation expenses of the fighter who is injured as a result of such fouling technique.
5.5. FOULING, STOPPING THE BOUT
If the Referee determines that the fouled Fighter needs time to recover, he may stop the bout (and the time) and give the injured Fighter a reasonable amount of time to recover, up to a maximum of 3 minutes under normal circumstances. At the end of this reasonable rest period the Referee and the Ring Physician will determine if the fouled Fighter can continue the bout, if he can, the bout will continue. The results of the foul will be based on the following determination by the Referee:
- If the referee determines that the foul was obviously committed by one of the fighters, and that the fouled Fighter did not contribute to the injury (by landing his groin on an opponent’s knee, etc.), the Referee can Disqualify the Fighter committing the foul and declare the fouled Fighter the winner.
- If the Referee determines that the injured Fighter was responsible for his own injury, the Referee will not penalise his opponent in any manner. In this case, if the Referee or Ring Physician determines that the injured Fighter is unable to continue, he will lose by “Technical Knock-Out”.
- If the Referee determines that there was no fault attributable to either Fighter (that the injury was caused by both Fighters), the Referee will allow the injured Fighter time to recover. If, at the end of the recovery period, the Referee or the Ring Physician determines that the fouled Fighter cannot continue, the bout will be called a “Technical Draw”.
- If an injury occurs due to a suspected foul, that the Referee was unable to see, a “Blind Foul”, the Referee may, at his sole and final discretion, confide with the WKF Representative, to determine if and where the fault may be placed. A referee’s decision on fouls may be overruled at ringside only by the WKF A1 Supervisor, and then, only in the instance of a clear error or misapplication of the rules.
5.6. THE POWER TO STOP THE CONTEST
The Referee, the Fighter’s Chief second, the Doctor or the Fighter may stop contest. The Referee or the Doctor shall have the power to stop a bout at any stage during the bout, if he considers that either Fighter is in such condition that to continue might subject him to serious injury. Should both Fighters be in such condition that to continue might subject them to a serious injury the Referee will declare the match a “technical Draw”. A Fighter who submits or “taps out” or a Fighter whose Chief second “throws in the towel” loses the bout.
5.7. PROCEDURE FOR FAILURE TO COMPETE
In any case where the Referee decides that the Fighters are not honestly competing, that a knockout is a “dive”, or a foul is actually a prearranged termination of the bout, he will not disqualify a Fighter for fouling, nor render a decision. He shall stop the bout and declare it ended and an investigation will be initiated. The Announcer shall inform the audience that a “No Decision” was rendered. The WKF A1 Supervisor will have the final authority in rendering a decision on the match.
5.8. GROUND ACTIVITY RULE
If both Fighters have gone to the ground and neither is actively working to improve his position then they shall be separated and stood up by the Referee. The Referee shall immediately restart the bout from the standing position. If one Fighter has gone to the ground and the other fighter refuses to pursue his opponent to the ground and fails to administer legal strikes from the standing position the referee shall “stand up” the downed fighter and re-engage the action.
5.9. MOUTHPIECES
No Fighter will be allowed to begin any bout without a mouthpiece. Whenever the mouthpiece is knocked out by a fair blow or a foul tactic, or however the mouthpiece is dropped or spit out by the Fighter, the Referee shall wait for a lull in the activity of both Fighters, call time out, stop the bout in place, and replace the mouthpiece. Wilful dropping, or spitting out of the mouthpiece by a Fighter, shall also be deemed as a “delay of bout” foul, and the Fighter shall be penalised accordingly by the Referee. The mouthpiece is replaced whenever it is lost for any reason. All fighters must bring two mouthpieces to the ringside for use during their match.
6. Physical Examinations and Safety Regulations
6.1. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND FEES
The attending Physician will have a suitable place or room in which to make his examinations. His fees shall include temporary or emergency treatment to any injured Fighter in the arena or dressing room. The fees for such examination shall be borne by the Promoter. The Physician to be retained must have been the recipient of an M.D. or D.O. degree, or recognized international equivalent.
6.2. TIME AND EXAMINATION
A thorough physical and eye examination will be given to each Fighter by the attending physician at the time of weigh-in, unless otherwise specified by WKF Local Commission.
6.3. EXAMINATION ORDERED BY THE WKF
Any Fighter who participates in an WKF sanctioned event, may, at the request of the WKF A1 Supervisor, be required to submit to a pre-fight or post-fight blood and/or urine examination for foreign substance. Any Fighter who refuses to submit to the examination will be immediately suspended for a length of time as specified by the WKF, and will be subject to disciplinary action.
6.4. REJECTIONS AND REPORTS
Should any Fighter examined prove unfit for competition, the Fighter must be rejected, and an immediate report of the fact made to the Promoter and the WKF Representative. The examining Physician will, one hour before the start of any event, clarify in writing to the WKF Representative that the Fighters are in good physical condition.
6.5. REPORTS OF ILLNESS
Whenever a Fighter, because of injury or illness, is unable to take part in a bout for which he is under contract, he or his Manager must immediately report the fact to the WKF. The Fighter will then submit to an examination by a Physician designated by the WKF. The examination fee of the physician is to be paid by the Fighter, or the Promoter, if the latter requests an examination.
6.6. CONTINUOUS PRESENCE OF PHYSICIAN AND EMERGENCY MOBILE UNIT
At least one licensed Physician, possessing an M.D. or equivalent degree, and one standby emergency mobile unit with appropriate personnel and equipment, all approved in advance by the WKF, must be in attendance at all WKF Sanctioned Events. The use of two Physicians (Doctors) at ringside is strongly recommended. The mobile unit must include a full range of resuscitative equipment and be parked inside or adjacent to an entrance of the building hosting the event. The Physician(s) must sit at immediate ringside throughout the duration of the bouts. A stretcher (backboard and neck brace) and oxygen tank, and containers of “instant ice”, should be readily available at ringside. No bout will be allowed to proceed unless the Physician is in his seat. The Physician shall not leave until after the decision in the final bout. He shall be prepared to assist if any serious emergency arises, and will render temporary or emergency treatments for cuts or minor injuries sustained by the Fighters. Under no circumstances are the Fighters Seconds permitted to enter the ring, or to attend to a Fighter in any manner whatsoever, during the course of a bout (outside of the rest periods). The ringside Physician can inspect and injury, but not render treatment to an injured Fighter during the course of a fight.
6.7. REPORT OF INJURY
All attending Physicians must report all cases in which the Fighters have been injured during a bout, or have applied for medical aid after an event. If a Fighter has suffered a knockout, or any other severe injuries whether in or out of the ring, and whether or not connected with WKF, and has on such account been treated by his personal Physician or has been hospitalised, he and his Manager must promptly submit to the WKF World Head Office a full report from such Physician or hospital.
6.8. FIGHTERS KNOCKED OUT
Fighters who have been knocked out will be kept lying down until they have recovered. When a fighter is knocked out, no one will touch him except the official ring Doctor / Physician, who will remove his mouthpiece and personally attends the fallen Fighter and issues such instructions as he sees fit to the Fighter’s Handlers. If a Fighter suffers an injury, has been knocked out, or has participated in an unusually punishing bout, or if a technical knockout decision has been rendered against him by the Referee, such Fighter will be placed on the ill and unavailable list for such period of time as may be recommended by any approved WKF Physician who may examine him. A Fighter who loses a bout by knockout will be suspended from competition by the WKF World Head Office for a minimum of 30 days. A Fighter who loses a bout by technical knockout will be suspended for 30 days, or longer, if substantial head or body trauma was involved.
6.9. SUSPENSION FOR DISABILITY
Any Fighter rejected by an examining Physician will be suspended until it is shown that he is fit for further competition. Any Fighter suspended for 30 or more days for his medical protection, or suspended for a hard fight will take the same examination as required for the eligibility physical, except as directed by the WKF World Head Office. The physician may require any other procedure, including an electroencephalogram, if indicated.
6.10. ADMINISTRATION OR USE OF DRUGS
Use by a Fighter of any of the substances listed as illegal by the American Association of Boxing Commissions, or any other illegal drugs, will result in disqualification from his bout, and fines and suspension by the WKF IRC Chairman Mr Robert Wilesmith.
7. Ringside Officials and Duties.
7.1. RINGSIDE OFFICIALS
A Referee, two Timekeepers, three Judges, an WKF A1 Supervisor, a Physician, all approved by the WKF, will be employed at all WKF sanctioned WKF events. All WKF Officials must be WKF certified. The WKF World head Office will appoint to each event a WKF A1 Supervisor who will be responsible for the assignment of the Officials. The WKF A1 Supervisor will work with the Promoter in the assignment of the ringside Officials, but the final authority for the selection and appointment of all ringside Officials shall rest with the WKF A1 Supervisor.
7.2. TIMEKEEPER’S EQUIPMENT
The Promoter will guarantee that the necessary timekeeping equipment will be available whether via arrangements through the ring/cage provider or through the WKF A1 Supervisor.
7.3. TIMEKEEPER’S DUTIES
The Timekeeper will keep the time during each bout, starting and stopping the official clock, for time-outs designated to him by the Referee.
7.4. TYPES OF BOUT RESULTS:
Submission by:
- Tap Out
- Verbal tap out
TKO by:
- Referee stops bout
- Ringside Physician stops bout
- Corner stops bout
KO by:
- Failure to rise from the canvas
Decision via score cards:
- Unanimous – When all three Judges score the bout for the same contestant.
- Split decision – When two Judges score the bout for one contestant and one Judge scores for the opponent.
- Majority – When two Judges score the bout for the same contestant and one Judge scores a draw.
- Disqualification, forfeit, technical draw, technical decision, no contest.
7.5. SCORING SYSTEM
Using the 10-Point Must Scoring System Judges are required to determine a winner of a bout that ends after the initial scheduled number of rounds have been completed. 10 points must be awarded to the winner of the round and nine points or less must be awarded to the loser, except for a rare even round, which is scored (10-10).
7.6. CHANGE OF DECISION
A decision rendered at the termination of any bout is final, and cannot be changed unless the WKF Representative at the event, or subsequently the WKF Commissioner, determines that any one of the following occurred:
- There was collusion affecting the results of any bout.
- There was a clear violation of the rules or regulation governing WKF bouts which affected the result of any bout.
- A judge mixed up the corners.
If the WKF A1 Supervisor or Commissioner determines that any of the above occurred with regard to any bout, then the decision rendered shall be changed as the WKF Representative or Commissioner may direct.
7.7. PROTESTS
All protests over the decision of a match shall be verbally registered only by the protesting Fighter and/or his Chief Handler to the WKF A1 Supervisor prior to the end of the event, who will note the nature of the protest in his Supervisor’s report. All protests must be received at the appropriate WKF World head Office, in writing and accompanied by all pertinent evidence, no later than 10 days following the bout in question. No protest will be considered unless accompanied by the appropriate fee: $100.00US. All decisions by the WKF IRC Chairman are “Final”. The standard for review is “clear” evidence which would justify a change of decision, or “clear” circumstances which in the best interest of the sport, would justify a change in decision. Any questions on the rules of the WKF, should be directed to the WKF A1 Supervisor appointed to the Event.