CHAPTER 444
REGULATION OF UNARMED COMBAT SPORTS
444.02 Licenses and permits.
444.03 Application for license; fee.
444.04 Promoter and club reports.
444.05 Amateur boxing contests.
444.09 Conduct of boxing contests regulated.
444.095 Conduct of unarmed combat sports contests regulated.
444.10 Physician to examine professional boxing contestants.
444.11 Licenses to matchmakers, referees, contestants, etc.
444.12 Referee to stop contest.
444.13 Sham contests, license revoked.
444.14 Sham contests; contestants penalized; forfeitures; hearing.
444.15 Reports; examination of books and officers.
444.16 Violation, when a misdemeanor.
444.18 Insurance on certain contestants.
444.19 Fee adjustments by rule.
Effective date note
NOTE: Chapter 444 (title) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
REGULATION OF BOXING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTING
Ch. 444 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See definitions in s.
440.01.
Ch. 444 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
SPS 192 Wis. adm. code.
444.01
444.01
Definitions. In this chapter:
444.01(1)
(1) “Amateur boxing contest" means a boxing contest or exhibition in which none of the boxers are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
444.01(1g)
(1g) “Amateur unarmed combat sports contest" means a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat sports in which none of the contestants are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1g) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(1g) “Amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest" means a mixed martial arts fighting contest or exhibition in which none of the fighters are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
444.01(1h)
(1h) “Boxing" means the act of attack and defense with the fists, using padded gloves, that is practiced as a sport under the rules described under
s. 444.05, or other, comparable rules.
444.01(1j)
(1j) “Mixed martial arts fighting" means fighting that involves the use of a combination of techniques from different disciplines of martial arts, including grappling, kicking, and striking.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1j) is shown as repealed and recreated eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(1j) “Mixed martial arts fighting" does not include any of the following:
Effective date text
(a) Fighting in which the contestants in a match use the same single form of martial arts, even if the match is part of an event comprising more than one such match and not all the matches in the event use the same single form of martial arts.
Effective date text
(b) A martial arts match in which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head with the intent to cause unconsciousness or inflict damage.
444.01(2)
(2) “Professional boxing contest" means a boxing contest or exhibition in which one or more of the boxers is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
444.01(3)
(3) “Professional contest" means a professional boxing contest or a professional unarmed combat sports contest.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (3) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(3) “Professional contest" means a professional boxing contest or a professional mixed martial arts fighting contest.
444.01(4)
(4) “Professional unarmed combat sports contest" means a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat sports in which one or more of the contestants is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (4) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(4) “Professional mixed martial arts fighting contest" means a mixed martial arts fighting contest in which one or more of the fighters is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
444.01(5)
(5) “Unarmed combat sports" means any form of fighting in which the objective is for a contestant to injure, disable, or incapacitate one's opponent, but does not include any fighting in a contest for which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head.
444.02
444.02
Licenses and permits. 444.02(1)
(1) The department shall have the sole direction, management, and control of, and jurisdiction over, all professional contests and all amateur unarmed combat sports contests conducted within the state by any promoter or club. No club or promoter may conduct professional contests or amateur unarmed combat sports contests within the state except under authority granted by the department and in accordance with this chapter and the rules of the department.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(1) The department shall have the sole direction, management, and control of, and jurisdiction over, all professional contests and all amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests conducted within the state by any promoter or club. No club or promoter may conduct professional contests or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests within the state except under authority granted by the department and in accordance with this chapter and the rules of the department.
444.02(2)
(2) The department may issue, and for cause limit, suspend, or revoke, a license to conduct professional contests or amateur unarmed combat sports contests to any promoter or incorporated club formed as provided in this chapter. Every license shall be subject to the department's rules and regulations. The department may limit the number of professional contests and amateur unarmed combat sports contests given by any promoter or club in any city, village, or town and may reprimand a promoter or club for violating this chapter or any rule of the department.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (2) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(2) The department may issue, and for cause limit, suspend, or revoke, a license to conduct professional contests or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests to any promoter or incorporated club formed as provided in this chapter. Every license shall be subject to the department's rules and regulations. The department may limit the number of professional contests and amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests given by any promoter or club in any city, village, or town and may reprimand a promoter or club for violating this chapter or any rule of the department.
444.02(3)
(3) No professional contest or amateur unarmed combat sports contest may be conducted by any licensed club without a permit from the department. An application for a permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable $300 processing fee. Every permit shall be conditioned on payment by the promoter or club to the department, within 2 business days after the event for which the permit was issued, of the following fees:
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (3) (intro.) is shown as amended eff. 3-1-17 by
2015 Wis. Act 277. Prior to 3-1-17 it reads:
Effective date text
(3) No professional contest or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest may be conducted by any licensed club without a permit from the department. An application for a permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable $300 processing fee. Every permit shall be conditioned on payment by the promoter or club to the department, within 2 business days after the event for which the permit was issued, of the following fees:
