(1) Each amateur shall, prior to the event, be examined by a physician licensed as an M.D. or D.O. The physician shall certify in writing the amateur’s physical condition and a professional assessment as to whether or not the amateur may engage in the match. No amateur shall be permitted to engage in a match unless he has been examined and pronounced fit to do so by a physician.
    (2) Amateurs must provide the amateur sanctioning organization sanctioning the matches the following documentation prior to completing the pre-match physical. The documentation shall be accepted by the amateur sanctioning organization for 12 months following the completion of the documentation:
    (a) An ophthalmological examination identifying problem(s) including but not limited to:
    1. Retinopathy or detached retina; provided however, that the applicant shall be permitted to participate in a match if the amateur provides, at or before the weigh-in, the written statement of a certified and licensed ophthalmologist or certified and licensed Optometrist stating that the amateur’s retina is completely healed and that in the ophthalmologist’s expert medical opinion, no unusual or extraordinary risk to the amateur is anticipated as a result of the retinopathy or a previously detached retina.
    2. Solitary eye;
    3. Blindness defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best correction possible and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
    (b) A physical examination obtained by an M.D. or D.O. For female participants, this documentation may be obtained by a OB/Gyn and should address the medical conditions listed in paragraphs (9)(a) through (9)(f).
    (3) Ringside physicians shall have a suitable place or room in which to make their examinations prior to each match.
    (4) The examination given all amateurs shall include the following:
    (a) Temperature;
    (b) Pulse; sitting, standing and running;
    (c) Lungs;
    (d) Heart;
    (e) Blood pressure;
    (f) Vision;
    (g) Weight;
    (h) Skin.
    (5) No amateur shall be allowed to engage in any match if any of the following conditions are found by the physician:
    (a) Inguinal and/or abdominal hernia;
    (b) Organic heart murmurs;
    (c) Active pulmonary lesions;
    (d) Abnormal temperature as determined by the physician;
    (e) Blood pressure over 140/90 mm per hg; If the systolic pressure is above 140, the physician shall take the amateur’s blood pressure again either within twenty (20) minutes or on the day of the matches. Amateurs may fight with a systolic pressure over 140 at the discretion of the physician;
    (f) Active communicable disease, including skin lesions, such as boils or infected wounds as well as any other bacterial, viral, fungal, and/or mycobacterial communicable diseases, including tuberculosis;
    (g) Recent wounds, especially on face and ears;
    (h) Hand injury and/or, fracture(s) less than 6 weeks old, if, in the physician’s opinion, the injury would be detrimental to the amateur’s health or ability to effectively compete or exhibit;
    (i) An indication that the amateur is using or is under the influence of narcotics, drugs, stimulants, depressants, alcohol, local anesthetics or analgesics as to render the amateur unable to recognize if the amateur is seriously injured.
    (j) Dental abscess or loose tooth or teeth;
    (k) Ophthalmological problem(s) including but not limited to; Retinopathy or detached retina; provided however, that the applicant shall be permitted to participate in a match if the amateur provides, at or before the weigh-in, the written statement of a board certified ophthalmologist stating that the amateur’s retina is completely healed and that in the ophthalmologist’s expert medical opinion, no unusual or extraordinary risk to the amateur is anticipated as a result of the retinopathy or a previously detached retina.
    (l) History of epilepsy or seizures, provided however, that the applicant shall be permitted to participate in a match if the amateur provides, at or before the weigh-in, the written statement of a board certified neurologist stating that the epilepsy or seizure disorder is well-controlled and that in the neurologist’s expert medical opinion, no unusual or extraordinary risk to the amateur is anticipated as a result of the epilepsy or seizure disorder;
    (m) History of kidney problems, including solitary kidney; provided however, that the applicant shall be permitted to participate in a match if the amateur provides, at or before the weigh-in, the written statement of a board certified nephrologist stating that the kidney problem is resolved and that in the nephrologist’s expert medical opinion, no unusual or extraordinary risk to the amateur is anticipated as a result of the resolved kidney problem and/or solitary kidney;
    (n) History of blood clotting disorders or abnormal bleeding, including hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease; provided however, that the applicant shall be permitted to participate in a match if the amateur provides, at or before the weigh-in, the written statement of a board certified hematologist stating that the bleeding problem is well controlled and that in the hematologist’s expert medical opinion, no unusual or extraordinary risk to the amateur is anticipated as a result of the bleeding disorder;
    (o) Altered gait or balance; or
    (p) History of any abnormality in a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or other similar medical tests.
    (6) Amateurs 40 years and older shall submit satisfactory results every twelve (12) months from the following prior to being approved for participation:
    (a) A normal EKG.
    (b) A normal MRI of the brain.
    (c) A Physical examination conducted by a licensed physician, either an MD or a DO and a letter stating that the applicant is physically fit to compete.
    (7) All amateurs with cuts and abrasions that require dressing, bandages, or band-aids must be approved to compete by a ringside physician prior to being cleared to participate.
    (8) Female participants are limited to participation with additional medical restrictions. If any of the following conditions exist, the athlete is not permitted to participate:
    (a) Pelvic disease states such as symptomatic endometriosis;
    (b) Abnormal vaginal bleeding;
    (c) Recent secondary amenorrhea of undetermined cause;
    (d) Recent breast bleeding;
    (e) Recently discovered breast masses; or
    (f) Confirmed pregnancy.
Rulemaking Authority 548.003 FS. Law Implemented 548.003(2)(j) FS. History-New 9-10-15, Amended 11-17-21, 8-6-23.