Combat Fighting Championships, also known as Combat FC, is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. It was founded by Michael Burton, CEO of Global Vision Entertainment (a MediaCor Company) and Chris Hickman. The first event took place on July 15th, 2006. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Combat FC used the Unified Rules of MMA

In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were codified by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.<ref> Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules of Conduct, Additional Mixed Martial Arts Rules, New Jersey Athletic Control Board.

Weight divisions

Combat FC currently uses nine weight classes:

Lightweight: 146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)

Welterweight: 156 to 170 lb (77 kg)

Middleweight: 171 to 185 lb (84 kg)

Light Heavyweight: 186 to 205 lb (93 kg)

Heavyweight: 206 to 265 lb (120 kg)

Flyweight: under 125 lb (<57 kg)

Bantamweight: 126 to 135 lb (61 kg)

Featherweight: 136 to 145 lb (66 kg)

Super Heavyweight above: 265 lb (>120 kg)

Rounds

Every round is 5 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds. Title matches can be sanctioned for five rounds but non-title matches must not exceed three rounds.

Attire

All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gi or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.

Judging Criteria

The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7, and in other states by custom no fighter receives less than 7.

Legal Techniques

The Unified Rules allows elbow strikes except those hitting downwards with the point of the elbow.

Fouls

The following are fouls, as set out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:<ref> NSAC Regulations: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT. Nevada State Athletic Commission. Retrieved April 3 2006</ref>

Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent. (see Gouging)

Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (see Elbow )

Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.

Grabbing the clavicle.

Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.

Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.

Stomping a grounded opponent.

Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (see piledriver)

Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.

Spitting at an opponent.

Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.

Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.

Attacking an opponent on or during the break.

Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.

Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.

Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.

Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.

Interference by the corner.

Throwing in the towel during competition.

General Conduct

NSAC does not allow the earlier single-event tournament format.

Fighters are tested for steroids and other illegal substances.

Rounds

The first round is ten minutes in duration and the second and third rounds are five minutes in duration. There is a two minute rest period between each round. Grand Prix matches are two rounds in length if more than one round is scheduled on one night.

Attire

Open finger gloves, a mouthguard and a protective cup are mandatory. It is within a fighter's discretion to tape parts of their body or to wear a gi top, gi pants, wrestling shoes, kneepads, elbow pads, shin guards and ankle supports, though each is checked by the referee before the fight.

Judging Criteria

If the match reaches its time limit then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. The fight is scored in its entirety and not round-by-round. After the conclusion of the bout, each judge must decide a winner. Matches cannot end in a draw. A decision is made according to the following criteria in this order of priority:

the effort made to finish the fight via KO or submission,

damage given to the opponent,

standing combinations and ground control,

takedowns and takedown defense,

aggressiveness, and

weight (in the case that the weight difference is 10 kg/22 lb or more).

If a fight is stopped on advice of the ring doctor after an accidental but illegal action, i.e. a clash of heads, and the contest is in its second or third round, the match will be decided by the judges using the same criteria.

Notable Personalities (Non-Fighters)

Michael Burton - CEO (2006-Present)<ref> [Last retrieved March 8 2007</ref>

Chris Hickman - President (2006-Present)

Jay Adams - Play-by-Play Commentator (2006-Present). He has provided the on-air commentary for the International Fighting Championships (IFC) and the World Extreme Fighting (WEF) as well as numerous other fight events. Jay has been in broadcast media for the past 19 years.

TJ De Santis - Color Analyst (2007-Present). De Santis started working in radio when he was 15 years old. Developing at a rapid rate TJ found himself on the air at Minnesota's active rocker 93X (KXXR/Minneapolis-St.Paul) at the young age of 17. Working overnights and weekends De Santis looked to take his passion for radio and mix it with the sport of mixed martial arts. In June of 2004 TJ started an online MMA radio show called "MMA Evolution”. Sherdog.com (arguably the largest MMA news website) approached De Santis about taking his brand of MMA radio to a larger audience. After 18 months of "MMA Evolution" TJ joined with Sherdog.com to form the Sherdog Radio Network. Producing two shows "Beatdown with TJ De Santis" and "The Savage Dog Show" The Sherdog Radio Network brings a new combination of insight and entertainment to the sport of mixed martial arts and is currently the top MMA based radio program. <ref> [Last retrieved March 8 2007</ref>.

Pat Miletich - Pat Miletich is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, which trains some of the most talented and popular athletes in MMA, such as former Welterweight champion Matt Hughes, former heavyweight champion "The Maine-iac" Tim Sylvia, former lightweight champion Jens Pulver, and Robbie Lawler. Miletich has trained more world champions than any other trainer in the world, and takes great pride in getting a athlete to the pinnacle of the sport of mixed martial arts fighting. Along with his work as a trainer he is also a former MMA athlete who has held numerous world championship titles. .

Footnotes

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External links

Official Combat FC Site

Official Combat FC Myspace Page Site