New rules for the new year

As of Jan. 1 of this year, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts took effect in New Hampshire for professional fights, giving fighters more striking ability, according to Bobby Stephen, the chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
The biggest change with the new rules is that elbows will be allowed in certain situations and to certain areas of the body. There will also be some changes to the way knees can be used.
Unified Rules are common in MMA for most of the country, but just adopted locally.
Ed Carr, of Miletich Fighting Systems in Hooksett, said the rules were used during some fights towards the end of last year and are now in effect here in New Hampshire. They will be on display for Combat Zone 32 in Salem on March 5.
In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were codified by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. The rules were originally drawn up by the California State Athletic Commission, which had worked extensively on regulation, but its sanctioning of MMA was not implemented due to state governmental issues surrounding the budgeting process. California officially sanctioned MMA on December 28, 2005, using the ruleset it helped devise five years previously.
Since then, to create uniformity in the United States, many state athletic commissions have assimilated these rules for mixed martial arts into their existing unarmed combat competition rules and statutes. For a promotion to hold mixed martial arts events in a state-sanctioned venue, the promotion must abide by the state athletic commission's body of rules. Promotions that hold events on Indian reservations are under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe government, which may require sanctioning by their own commission.
Rounds
Every round is 5 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds. Non-title matches must not exceed three rounds. Title matches can be sanctioned for five rounds.
Attire
All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gis 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 8.
Legal Techniques
The Unified Rules continue to allow all elbow strikes except those hitting downwards with the point of the elbow, or those to the back of the head.
Fouls
The following are fouls, as set out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
Grabbing the clavicle.
Downward elbows to the head of an opponent.
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.
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. (forfeit)
Dave George of Combat Zone MMA said the Unified Rules were used at one of his events in Salem in late November. He thinks the new rules are a good thing for fighters hoping to move on to the next level, because that's the way they fight in WEC or UFC.
"It will be more exciting for the fans, that's for sure," George said.