Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and Kickboxing

The Ontario Athletics Commissioner oversees and enforces a set of regulations for Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and Kickboxing. These are intended to ensure participants are kept safe. They address both the medical precautions that must be taken prior to an event, and the conduct of the event itself.

Medical requirements are the same in all three sports. For example, competitors must undergo pre-fight physicals and testing, such as blood tests and eye exams.

The Commissioner also ensures that:

• medical personnel and officials are appointed
• competitors are in good standing (not subject to any disciplinary suspension)
• promoters and competitors have the proper licences
• promoters pay the necessary fees and obtain the proper liability insurance

The Commissioner also conducts weigh-ins, oversees pre-fight activities, and attends each event to make sure they comply with Ontario’s rules and regulations.

The regulations under the Athletics Control Act (ACA) adopt the state of New Jersey rules for the conduct of professional Mixed Martial Arts events in Ontario, which are the most widely used rules in North America. This helps to ensure consistent officiating and the safety of the participants.

Under the ACA, the Athletics Commissioner reviews all licence applications, issues licences and permits for professional boxing, kickboxing and MMA contests and exhibitions. The Commissioner also licenses the athletes, referees, managers, seconds and other officials for events.

The Athletics Commissioner may suspend or revoke the licence of a promoter or participant at any time after the date of issuance if they fail to abide by the regulations and if, in the Athletic Commissioner’s judgement, they carry on activities detrimental to the integrity of the sport. The event’s promoter could face charges for any breach of the regulations. A promoter who is convicted of holding an unsanctioned event could face fines of up to $10,000.

Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and Kickboxing