Fight Ikon / The FAST Gym Interclub is designed for beginners and novice athletes to gain experience in non-decision, friendly bouts against similar level/weight fighters. It is not a decision fight but designed to be done with controlled contact and controlled submissions, allowing people to learn with much less risk of injury, similar to sparring.
You are advised to not use power but focus on technique, and in the event of submission or referee stoppage the match may then continue to allow both entrants to gain full rounds' experience.
It is good practice for getting ready for proper competitions as well as getting over the nerves of performing in front of a crowd.
1) Jurisdiction
The referee shall remain the sole arbiter of the interclub matches.
The referee will warn participants for excessive contact or un-sportsmanlike behaviour and may stop a match if participants refuse to abide by these rules.
2) Rounds
- Adults will compete over 3 x 2 minute rounds.
- Juniors under 16 will compete over 3 x 1.5 minute rounds.
3) Stopping the Match
The referee, corner person or medic may stop the bout if they are concerned for the safety of their fighter. As this is an interclub, not a fight, and does not affect your record, we do not want fighters continuing with injuries which could worsen.
The referee may stop a match even without a submission or tap if the fighter looks in trouble, especially with children’s matches. There is no loss, and they may restart again anyway.
4) Judging
Matches are not judged, and no winner or loser is announced. Both participants receive a trophy for participation, and both have their hand raised at the end by the referee.
5) Warnings
A single warning will be issued for the following infractions only:
- Holding or grabbing the fence.
- Holding onto opponent’s shorts, gloves, shin-guards, or rash-guard.
- Having the fingers outstretched, palm parallel to the floor toward opponent’s face.
6) Standard Fouls for Amateur Mixed Martial Arts
The following acts constitute a foul in all mixed martial arts competitions:
- Biting or spitting at an opponent.
- Fish hooking.
- Hair pulling.
- Throat strikes of any kind and/or grabbing the trachea.
- Fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s face/eyes.
- Holding opponent’s gloves, shorts, shin-guards or rash guard.
- Holding or grabbing the fence with fingers or toes.
- Small joint manipulation (fingers or toes).
- Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh.
- Timidity (avoiding contact, consistently dropping the mouthpiece, or faking an injury).
- Butting with the head.
- Eye gouging of any kind.
- Spiking the opponent to the canvas onto the head or neck (pile-driving).
- Strikes to the spine or the back of the head (the spine includes the tailbone).
- Downward pointing elbow strike (12 to 6).
- Groin attacks of any kind.
- Kneeing and/or kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
- Stomping of a grounded fighter.
- Throwing an opponent out of the fighting area.
- Intentionally placing a finger into any orifice, or into any cut or laceration of your opponent.
- Use of abusive language in the fighting area.
- Flagrant disregard of the referee’s instructions.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
- Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period.
- Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
- Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
- Interference from a mixed martial artist’s corner or seconds.
- Applying any foreign substance to the head or body to gain an advantage.
7) Additional Fouls for Ikon MMA Interclub
All contact must be kept light and controlled. There is no winner or loser and the bouts should be a good experience for all.
If you feel you are dominating your opponent, you should allow them opportunities and work on your defence, or use the opportunity to work on areas of your arts where you aren’t as strong. If your opponent receives an injury such as a sore leg, you should target other areas and allow them to continue as best they can - unlike a real match where you would go for the finish.
Remember, martial arts is about respect for each other. This is not a fight; it is a friendly non-decision interclub bout, so please take part with this in mind.
Children under 16
- No head contact whatsoever.
All interclub athletes/entrants
- No elbow and forearm strikes of any kind.
- No knees or kicks to the head.
- Knees to the body must be kept light and only with the thigh, not the tip of the knee.
- Ground and pound strikes must be kept light and controlled.
- No spinning techniques other than those which transition in a forward direction (a straight spinning back kick is ok; spinning hook kick or backfist are not).
- No slams whatsoever.
- No smothering the mouth/nose.
- No heel hooks or twisting leg locks of any kind.
- No twisters, neck cranks, can openers, sit-through crucifix, or any submission applying pressure to the neck or spine.
- All submissions should be applied slowly and in a controlled way to allow your opponent to tap. The referee may stop in a submission position without a tap for safety.
8) Rules for Thai/Kickboxing Bouts
Rules are a hybrid of kickboxing (allowing sweeps) and Thai boxing (allowing continuous clinch with action). All contact must be kept light and controlled.
Children under 16
- No head contact whatsoever.
All interclub athletes/entrants
- No elbow and forearm strikes of any kind.
- No knees or kicks to the head.
- Knees to the body must be kept light and only with the thigh, not the tip of the knee.
- No spinning techniques other than those which transition in a forward direction.
- No grappling other than in standing Thai clinch - clinch will be broken if no action.
- No submissions.
- No ground and pound.
- No throws above the hip or takedowns.
- Sweeps are allowed with the instep or kicking.
9) Foul Procedure
Disqualification can occur after any combination of fouls or after a single flagrant foul.
A fouled contestant has up to 5 minutes to recuperate (not applicable to all fouls). If a foul is committed the referee may call time should the fouled contestant show any visible sign of distraction or injury.
10) Medical Requirements for Athletes
As this is an interclub, not a proper fight or competition, athletes are not required to take part in a pre-fight medical - much the same as when sparring, they should be assessed by their coaches.
All entrants must be submitted through their team coaches, who should ensure those entered have completed their relevant medical requirements to train and spar under their individual association. Coaches should have seen them spar and know they are competent and experienced enough to take part according to the experience level given on entry. It is important coaches are honest about an entrant’s experience, time training and competitions entered.
All athletes will be weight-checked on the day against their pre-entered weight to ensure safety in matches. Any athlete not making the weight their coaches have entered within 2kg either way may be disqualified, although we will do our best to rematch fairly on the day if we can.
11) Insurance & Disclaimer
It is the athlete/fighter’s responsibility to ensure they have adequate insurance cover for martial arts training and sparring. If you require cover and cannot obtain it through your own club, please speak to us about obtaining it under ISKA and Ring Combat Sports Union. All athletes/fighters must sign the disclaimer on entry to state they have their own cover or enter the event at their own risk.
12) Equipment & Attire
For MMA
- Gloves: MMA domed-style sparring 7-8oz+ gloves in good condition. Velcro straps must be taped over.
- Hand wraps: ordinary bandage gym wraps or medical wraps to unified MMA standards - no thick or electrical tape over hands.
- Shin and instep pads: Thai, MMA or foam type, must cover both shin and instep and be in good condition.
- Single-layer joint sleeves allowed for knees, elbows or ankles, but none with plastic/metal or hard inserts.
- Gumshield/mouthguard must be worn by both adults and juniors.
- Fight shorts, Vale Tudo shorts or leggings - no pockets, zips, metal/plastic, tassels or anything hanging.
- Males: topless, rashguard or tight t-shirt tucked in; must wear a groin guard. Females: sports top, rashguard or tight t-shirt tucked in.
- Optional: thin body shield and/or headguard.
For standup - Kick/Thai Boxing
- Gloves in good condition: 16oz min over 70kg, 14oz under 70kg, 12oz under 60kg, 10oz under 50kg, 8oz under 40kg, 6oz under 30kg. Velcro straps taped over.
- Hand wraps, shin/instep pads, single-layer sleeves, gumshield and attire as per MMA above.
- Juniors must wear a body shield (optional for adults). Headguard allowed.
13) Other Equipment & Appearance
Entrants are allowed two corner persons who should supply water and a clean towel. A small amount of Vaseline may be applied pre-bout to eyebrows, bridge of nose and cheekbones only. No need to enter the cage between rounds; water may be passed over the fence. No oils or Vaseline on the body for MMA (Thai liniment allowed if competing in standup only).
Entrant must be clean. No jewellery or piercings. Toenails and fingernails clipped short. Hair tied back so it does not interfere with vision. The referee may require excessive grease or a hair hazard to be corrected before competing.
14) Gender Policy
Whilst our interclub is open to athletes of all genders, it is our policy to only allow matches - particularly with post-pubescent children and adults - between those of the same birth sex. Coaches should enter athletes/fighters by sex at birth regardless of current gender status.