Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 41-5.2 - Mixed Martial Arts
Section 41-5.2-1. - Definitions.

§ 41-5.2-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall mean as follows:
(1) “Choke holds” means any hold that impairs the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain. There are many chokes, including the rear naked choke, the guillotine, and the triangle choke.
(2) “Cut man” means the person who helps stop the flow of blood from a fighter’s cuts by applying coagulants.
(3) “Eye gouge” means digging the fingers in and around the opponent’s eye.
(4) “Fishhook” means hooking the fingers into an opponent’s mouth, nostrils, or ears and pulling at them.
(5) “Foot stomps” means stomping on the opponent’s feet trying to damage the instep and fragile foot bones.
(6) “Gi” is the Japanese term for martial arts uniform.
(7) “Guard position” means the position where a fighter is on his back with his opponent between his legs. While this is primarily a defensive position, many submission holds are possible.
(8) “Head-butt” means using the head to strike the opponent.
(9) “Joint-lock” means and includes all locks, bars, and holds, that cause enough pain to cause an opponent to submit. Many of these holds can result in serious injury if the opponent does not tap out in time. A few popular submission holds are arm bars, ankle locks, knee bars, and neck cranks.
(10) “KO” means knock out. A fighter is knocked down and unconscious.
(11) “Mixed martial arts” means an event that describes the convergence of techniques from a variety of combative sports disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, kickboxing, and others.
(12) “Mount position” means a dominant position where a fighter straddles his opponent on the ground.
(13) “Mouse” means a dark, swollen bruise around the eye.
(14) “Neck crank” means any hold that impairs the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain. There are many chokes, including the rear naked choke, the guillotine, and the triangle choke.
(15) “NHB” is a term, also referred to as “no holds barred,” which refers to fighting contests with few rules.
(16) “Reversal” means switching from being in a disadvantageous position to a superior one.
(17) “Submission” means when a fighter signals surrender due to a submission hold, choke, or from strikes. The fighter can tap the mat three (3) times or submit verbally.
(18) “Submission holds” means and includes all locks, bars, and holds that cause enough pain to cause an opponent to submit. Many of these holds can result in serious injury if the opponent does not tap out in time.
(19) “Takedown” means and usually occurs when a grappler takes his opponent to the ground.
(20) “Weigh in” means and is used to determine a fighter’s official weight for the bout and is held up to thirty-six (36) hours prior to the event.
History of Section.P.L. 2009, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 280, § 1.