Rule 3773-7-21 | Medical requirements for mixed martial arts contestants.
(A) The following test results from a certified laboratory or physician must be submitted to the commission office prior to competing in a mixed martial arts event
(1) Negative HIV;
(2) Negative hepatitis B surface antigen (SA);
(3) Procedures to complete when failing hepatitis B surface antigen test:
(a) Must pass a hepatitis B "PCR" quantitative test;
(b) The quantitative limit must be within permissible limits according to the laboratory where test was administered;
(c) Test and results must have been taken be within two weeks of the event.
(4) Negative hepatitis C antibody;
(B) Professional contestants must submit a dilated eye exam performed no later than twenty four hours prior to any competition by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or qualified physician.
(C) A cat scan examination of the brain will only be accepted when given within five days of the last date a contestant competes in a combat sports event. Any required post fight neurological examination after five days must be an MRI or MRI/MRA examination.
(1) These results must be from a medical facility, certified laboratory or physician.
(2) Must include the date of test, the address and phone number of the facility where test was conducted.
(D) The results of an MRI or MRI/MRA examination will be accepted if conducted within five years.
(1) When a neurological clearance is needed for a pre fight examination;
(2) When competing in a five round title fight;
(3) A contestant that is thirty-five years old or older.
(E) The commission, executive director or ringside physician may order a Electrocardiogram or MRI or MRI/MRA examination when a contestant:
(1) Has lost three or more bouts in a row by KO or TKO;
(2) Has lost five bouts in a row;
(3) Has an extensive losing record;
(4) Has not competed within two years.
(F) Contestants thirty-five and older must submit in addition to all other required medical examinations:
(1) MRI brain examination;
(2) A stress echo cardiogram examination with cardiology clearance;
(3) A chest X-ray that has been given within two years.
(G) All tests must have been taken within thirty days to get a one year license. All tests taken more than thirty days but within one year the expiration date for the Ohio license will be ninety days or less from the date of issuance, depending on the expiration date of the medicals that were submitted. Test results from other states are accepted if they meet Ohio's standards.
(H) The commission will not issue a license or renew any applicants license for a contestant who is found to be blind in one eye or whose vision in one eye is so poor that an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician recommends that a license not be granted. This rule is effective regardless of how good the vision of the contestant may be in the other eye.
(I) The commission will not issue or renew the license of any applicants who wishes to compete in any sport regulated by the Ohio athletic commission who has suffered from any type of cerebral hemorrhage.
(J) If any applicant applying for a contestants license has suffered a serious head injury the applicant must have their application for license reviewed by the executive director or commission before any license is issued or renewed.
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