Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 6234 (September 28, 2024).

58 Pa. Code § 29.4. Ring or fenced area requirements.

§ 29.4. Ring or fenced area requirements.

 (a)  Mixed martial arts contests and exhibitions must be held in a ring or in a fenced area.

 (b)  A ring used in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements:

   (1)  The ring must be at least 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the ropes.

   (2)  The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes and must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that gathers in lumps or ridges may not be used.

   (3)  The ring platform must not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the contestants.

   (4)  Ring posts must be four in number and made of metal, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. Ring posts must be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes.

   (5)  There must be five ring ropes, at least 1 inch in diameter and wrapped in soft material. The lowest ring rope must be 12 inches above the ring floor.

   (6)  There may not be any obstruction or object, including, without limitation, a triangular border, on any part of the ring floor.

 (c)  A fenced area used in a contest or exhibition of mixed martial arts must meet the following requirements:

   (1)  The fenced area must be circular or have at least six equal sides and must be at least 20 feet wide and no larger than 32 feet wide.

   (2)  The floor of the fenced area must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or another similar closed-cell foam, with at least a 1-inch layer of foam padding, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the fenced area. Material that gathers in lumps or ridges may not be used.

   (3)  The platform of the fenced area must not be more than 4 feet above the floor of the building and must have suitable steps for the use of the contestants.

   (4)  Fence posts must be at least six in number and made of metal, extending from the floor of the building to between 6 and 7 feet above the floor of the fenced area, and must be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission.

   (5)  The fencing used to enclose the fenced area must be made of a material that will prevent a contestant from falling out of the fenced area or breaking through the fenced area onto the floor of the building or onto the spectators, including chain link fence coated with vinyl.

   (6)  Any metal portion of the fenced area must be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and may not be abrasive to the contestants.

   (7)  The fenced area must have at least two entrances.

   (8)  No obstruction may be placed on a part of the fence which surrounds the area where contestants compete.

 (d)  The promoter of the event shall be responsible to thoroughly clean the ring area after each match.



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