Combative Sports

Deregulation of Combative Sports Seconds

July 23, 2021

Effective September 1, 2021, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) will no longer license Combative Sports Seconds. Until then, TDLR will continue accepting new license applications and renewals.

Texas House Bill 1560, passed during the 87^th Regular Legislative Session (2021), ended licensure for Seconds. Although the TDLR Seconds license is no longer required, anyone serving as a Second must still meet the requirements listed in 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 61.

A currently valid, newly issued or renewed license will not expire until September 1, 2021.

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Deregulation of Combative Sports Matchmakers

July 23, 2021

Effective September 1, 2021, Combative Sports Matchmakers are no longer required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Texas House Bill 1560, passed during the 87^th Regular Legislative Session (2021), ended licensure for Matchmakers. TDLR will stop accepting new and renewal license applications effective immediately.

A currently valid license will not expire until September 1, 2021.

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Deregulation of Combative Sports Event Coordinators

July 23, 2021

Effective September 1, 2021, Combative Sports Event Coordinators are no longer required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Texas House Bill 1560, passed during the 87^th Regular Legislative Session (2021), ended licensure for Event Coordinators, and TDLR will stop accepting new and renewal license applications effective immediately.

A currently valid license will not expire until September 1, 2021.

Combative Sports is a full contact competition between two contestants. The primary sport in this program is boxing. Other sports regulated by this program are kick boxing, shoot wrestling / fighting, pancration wrestling / fighting, mixed martial arts contests or any form of competition in which a blow is struck which may reasonably be expected to inflict injury. Kick boxing is a form of boxing in which blows are delivered with any part of the arm below the shoulder, including the hand, and any part of the leg below the hip including the foot. Shoot wrestling / pancration wrestling is a form of full contact martial arts in which opponents may, while standing, strike with the open hand, kick, wrestle, throw grapple and submit. For more information about combative sports, e-mail TDLR.

Event Schedule

All events are subject to change or cancellation and are subject to review of the current overall COVID-19 situation.

Boxing

9/25/21 TMB Promotions – Floresville
9/30/21 TREC Special Events - Dallas
10/1/21 Boxing Showcase – Mesquite
10/8/21 Force Train – Sugarland
10//15/21 Leland Dean Promotions – Houston
10/16/21 Matchroom – Corpus Christi
10/22/21 Davies Promotions – San Antonio
10/29/21 Boxing Showcase – Houston
10/29/21 Triple A Promotions- Zapata
10/30/21 Clutch Combat – Robstown

MMA

10/8/21 Back Alley – Arlington
10/17/21 Fury Fighting Championships - Houston
10/22/21 WFC – College Station

Amateur MMA

9/25/21 Texas Clash - Beeville
10/2/21 Garcia – Houston
10/8/21 XKO – Arlington
10/22/21 Valor – College Station

Combination Events

None at This Time

Kickboxing

None at This Time

News and Updates

TDLR Discontinues COVID-19 Protocols for Combative Sports Events

July 1, 2021

TDLR has discontinued COVID-19 protocols for Combative Sports events in Texas until further notice, as of July 1, 2021.

The Dangers of Weight-Cutting

June 1, 2018

The dangers of weight-cutting are real and well documented. Losing pounds rapidly creates serious physical and health problems such as dehydration, decreased kidney function, heat illness, or stroke. Learn more about these dangers in the Popular Science article, “This is why cutting weight is so dangerous for professional fighters.”

Online Training for Contract Inspectors

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation now offers online training for Contract Inspectors who are an essential part of the Texas Combative Sports Team. If you are interested in an opportunity to work as an inspector at a boxing or mixed martial arts event, the department encourages you to watch the videos in this YouTube playlist and then contact the combative sports program .

Live Seminar for Medical Doctors

If you are a medical doctor licensed by the State of Texas interested in participating in TDLR’s Combative Sports program or are currently a ringside physician and want a refresher, you can watch videos of our live seminar in this YouTube playlist.