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THE WAR ROOM

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS

The War Room is a professional-style kickboxing promotion contested inside a fully enclosed cage. These rules are designed to create fast-paced, technical and exciting kickboxing contests while maintaining fighter safety, fair competition and consistent officiating.

All fighters, coaches and officials are expected to read and understand these rules before participating. Entry into a War Room contest confirms acceptance of these regulations and the authority of the appointed referee, judges, medical team and event officials.

1. CONTEST AREA

All War Room contests take place inside an enclosed combat-sports cage.

The cage is used to provide a secure competition area and allow continuous movement without fighters falling through or becoming trapped between traditional boxing-ring ropes.

The cage must not be used to gain an unfair advantage.

Fighters may not:

  • Grab or hold the cage

  • Hook fingers or toes into the cage

  • Pull themselves away from an opponent using the cage

  • Hold the cage to prevent falling or being swept

  • Deliberately trap an opponent against the cage using illegal clinching

  • Push an opponent’s head or limbs through the cage

The referee may issue a verbal warning, official warning, point deduction or disqualification for repeated or deliberate cage grabbing.

2. WAR ROOM CONTEST FORMATS

The War Room operates two primary contest formats:

A. STANDARD WAR ROOM FIGHTS

Standard War Room fights are contested over:

3 rounds of 2 minutes

There will normally be a 1-minute rest period between rounds.

Standard fights are contested using full protective equipment.

Mandatory equipment includes:

  • Approved boxing or kickboxing gloves

  • Headguard

  • Shin guards

  • Foot protectors

  • Gumshield

  • Groin protection for male competitors

  • Chest protection where required

  • Appropriate fight shorts or kickboxing trousers

  • Any additional protective equipment required because of age, experience or medical advice

All protective equipment must be approved by The War Room officials before the contest.

The referee or event officials may reject equipment that is damaged, unsuitable, incorrectly fitted or considered unsafe.

B. RULES OF WAR FIGHTS

Rules of War contests are the elite professional-style format used by The War Room.

Standard Rules of War Fight

A standard Rules of War contest is fought over:

3 rounds of 2 minutes

Rules of War Title Fight

A Rules of War championship contest is fought over:

5 rounds of 2 minutes

There will normally be a 1-minute rest period between rounds.

Rules of War fights are contested using:

  • 7oz MMA-style gloves

  • Gumshield

  • Groin protection for male competitors

  • Appropriate fight shorts

  • No headguard

  • No shin guards

  • No foot protectors

All gloves and compulsory equipment must be approved by The War Room.

Where gloves are supplied by the promotion, fighters must use the gloves provided unless permission to use an alternative pair has been granted in advance.

Fighters must not alter, cut, stretch, tape or tamper with any item of protective equipment.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND MATCHING

All fighters must provide accurate information regarding:

  • Age

  • Weight

  • Fight record

  • Experience level

  • Martial arts background

  • Previous titles

  • Recent contests

  • Medical history

  • Current injuries

  • Suspensions or medical restrictions

Fighters and coaches must not deliberately conceal experience, previous stoppages, medical conditions or any other information that may affect matchmaking or fighter safety.

The War Room reserves the right to cancel or change a contest where information provided by a fighter or coach is found to be inaccurate.

Matches will be arranged using factors including:

  • Weight

  • Age

  • Experience

  • Fight record

  • Physical maturity

  • Competition level

  • Previous achievements

  • The contest format being used

Acceptance of a match confirms that the fighter and coach believe the contest is appropriate.

Final approval remains with The War Room, the appointed medical team and the relevant officials.

4. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE

Official weigh-ins will normally take place remotely by video link on the morning of the day before the event.

The exact weigh-in window and video-link instructions will be provided to fighters and coaches before the event.

The weigh-in must be completed live and must not be pre-recorded.

During the weigh-in, the fighter may be required to:

  1. Confirm their full name.

  2. Show the scales clearly.

  3. Demonstrate that the scales are set to zero.

  4. Step onto the scales in suitable weigh-in clothing.

  5. Remain on the scales long enough for the official to clearly read the weight.

  6. Reposition the camera if requested.

  7. Repeat the process if the reading is unclear or disputed.

The full scale display and the fighter must remain visible throughout the relevant part of the weigh-in.

The use of edited footage, pre-recorded footage, false scale readings, altered scales or any attempt to misrepresent a fighter’s weight may result in the contest being cancelled.

Fighters should weigh in wearing minimal appropriate clothing. Heavy clothing, footwear and unnecessary items must not be worn during the official weigh-in.

5. WEIGHT ALLOWANCE

Fighters are expected to make the agreed contracted weight.

A maximum allowance of 0.5 kilograms may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

This is not an automatic allowance and must not be treated as part of the agreed weight category.

The 0.5kg allowance may only be accepted at the discretion of The War Room officials and, where appropriate, the opposing fighter and coach.

Factors that may be considered include:

  • Travel disruption

  • Verified scale differences

  • Medical or welfare concerns

  • Unavoidable circumstances outside the fighter’s control

  • Whether the weight difference creates a safety or competitive concern

  • Whether both teams agree for the fight to proceed

A fighter who is above the contracted weight may be required to complete a second weigh-in within a time set by the promotion.

Fighters must not use dangerous dehydration, excessive heat exposure or unsafe weight-cutting methods in an attempt to make weight.

Where a fighter remains overweight, The War Room may:

  • Approve the contest at an agreed catchweight

  • Apply a purse or commission adjustment

  • Change the contest from a title fight to a non-title fight

  • Prevent an overweight fighter from winning the title

  • Cancel the contest

  • Replace the fighter

  • Apply additional conditions agreed by both teams

For championship contests, a fighter who fails to make the contracted championship weight may be declared ineligible to win the title.

The final decision will be made by The War Room management in consultation with the officials, medical team and both camps.

6. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Every fighter must be medically fit to compete.

Fighters must disclose any relevant medical condition, injury, recent concussion, loss of consciousness, medication or recent hospital treatment.

All fighters must complete any required pre-fight medical checks.

The event doctor or appointed medical professional has the authority to prevent a fighter from competing at any stage.

Medical decisions are final.

A fighter may be withdrawn where there are concerns relating to:

  • Concussion

  • Head injury

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Suspected fracture

  • Uncontrolled bleeding

  • Eye injury

  • Severe dehydration

  • Illness

  • Impaired coordination

  • Reduced awareness

  • Any condition that makes participation unsafe

No fighter may compete while serving a medical suspension.

Fighters must not compete under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, recreational drugs or any substance that may impair judgement, coordination or safety.

7. HAND WRAPPING AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

All hand wraps are subject to inspection.

Hand wraps must be applied in a safe and conventional manner.

Hard objects, excessive layers, plaster-like substances or any attempt to create an artificial striking surface are prohibited.

Tape must not be applied directly across the knuckles in a way that creates an unsafe surface.

Officials may:

  • Observe the wrapping process

  • Sign or mark completed wraps

  • Require wraps to be removed and reapplied

  • Inspect gloves before and after the contest

A representative of the opposing team may be permitted to observe the wrapping process where directed by the promotion.

All equipment must be checked before the fighter enters the cage.

8. PERMITTED TECHNIQUES

War Room contests are based on clean, controlled and effective kickboxing techniques delivered above the waist.

Permitted techniques include:

Punches

  • Jab

  • Cross

  • Hook

  • Uppercut

  • Overhand punch

  • Spinning backfist, where controlled and legally delivered

  • Other recognised boxing techniques delivered with the padded striking area of the glove

Kicks

  • Front kick

  • Side kick

  • Roundhouse kick

  • Hook kick

  • Axe kick

  • Crescent kick

  • Back kick

  • Spinning back kick

  • Spinning hook kick

  • Jumping kicks

  • Other recognised kickboxing kicks delivered to a legal target

Kicks must land above the opponent’s waistline.

The foot or lower shin may be used to deliver legal kicks, provided the strike lands on a permitted target area.

9. LEGAL TARGET AREAS

Legal target areas include:

  • Front of the head

  • Side of the head

  • Face

  • Torso

  • Chest

  • Stomach

  • Ribs

  • Side of the body

Techniques must land cleanly and must not intentionally target prohibited areas.

10. PROHIBITED TARGET AREAS

The following areas must not be deliberately attacked:

  • Back of the head

  • Top of the head

  • Throat

  • Neck

  • Spine

  • Kidneys

  • Groin

  • Knees

  • Legs

  • Hips below the legal target line

  • An opponent who is down

  • An opponent who is under the referee’s protection

Low kicks are not permitted.

Any kick landing below the waist may be treated as an accidental foul or an intentional foul depending on the circumstances.

11. PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES

The following are prohibited:

  • Elbows

  • Knees

  • Low kicks

  • Calf kicks

  • Kicks directly to the knee joint

  • Clinch striking

  • Headbutts

  • Biting

  • Spitting

  • Eye gouging

  • Hair pulling

  • Fish hooking

  • Throat attacks

  • Groin attacks

  • Wrestling takedowns

  • Judo throws

  • Hip throws

  • Suplexes

  • Trips involving dangerous twisting of the knee

  • Ground fighting

  • Submissions

  • Striking a grounded opponent

  • Holding and hitting

  • Excessive pushing

  • Deliberately turning away to avoid engagement

  • Attacking after the referee calls break or stop

  • Attacking before the referee restarts the contest

  • Unsporting conduct

  • Abusive conduct toward officials or opponents

12. SWEEPS AND OFF-BALANCING

Controlled foot sweeps may be permitted where they are performed as a recognised kickboxing technique.

A legal sweep must:

  • Be performed in a controlled manner

  • Attack the opponent’s balance rather than the knee joint

  • Avoid dangerous twisting

  • Avoid lifting and throwing the opponent

  • Be completed without prolonged wrestling or clinching

The referee may stop the action immediately where a sweep develops into wrestling, a throw or an unsafe movement.

A sweep may contribute positively to scoring when it is clean, controlled and effective.

13. CLINCHING

Extended clinching is not permitted.

Fighters may briefly come together during an exchange, but they must continue to work legally or separate when instructed.

The following are prohibited:

  • Holding an opponent to prevent striking

  • Pulling down on the head or neck

  • Delivering knees from the clinch

  • Holding with one hand while striking with the other

  • Pinning an opponent against the cage without working

  • Wrestling for position

  • Attempting throws or takedowns

The referee will call “break” where the fighters become tied up.

Both fighters must immediately stop striking, step backwards and wait for the referee’s instruction to continue.

14. KNOCKDOWNS

A knockdown may be declared where a fighter:

  • Touches the floor with any part of the body other than the feet as a result of a legal strike

  • Falls into the cage and is unable to defend intelligently

  • Is held upright by the cage after being seriously affected by a legal strike

  • Is visibly unable to continue without a count

A slip, trip or loss of balance without the effect of a legal strike will not normally be scored as a knockdown.

When a knockdown occurs:

  1. The standing fighter must immediately move to the neutral area directed by the referee.

  2. The referee will begin a count.

  3. The standing fighter must remain in the neutral area.

  4. The count will continue until the referee is satisfied that the affected fighter can safely continue.

  5. The referee may stop the fight at any time without completing the count.

A fighter must demonstrate awareness, balance, coordination and the ability to defend themselves before the contest is restarted.

The referee’s primary responsibility is fighter safety.

15. STANDING COUNTS

The referee may issue a standing count where a fighter is seriously affected by legal strikes but has not fallen.

A standing count may be used where the fighter:

  • Is no longer defending intelligently

  • Appears disorientated

  • Is being held upright by the cage

  • Is taking unanswered strikes

  • Requires a safety assessment

The referee does not have to issue a standing count before stopping a contest.

16. REFEREE STOPPAGE

The referee may stop the contest where:

  • A fighter cannot intelligently defend themselves

  • A fighter is taking excessive unanswered strikes

  • A fighter fails to respond appropriately after a knockdown

  • A fighter is injured

  • A fighter appears disorientated

  • A fighter repeatedly commits fouls

  • A fighter or coach behaves in an unsafe or unsporting manner

  • The doctor advises that the contest must end

  • Equipment becomes unsafe and cannot be corrected

  • The referee believes continuation would place a fighter at unnecessary risk

The referee’s decision regarding fighter safety is final.

17. SCORING SYSTEM

War Room contests are scored using the 10-point must system.

The winner of each round will normally receive 10 points.

The other fighter will normally receive 9 points or fewer.

Common scores include:

  • 10–9: A competitive round with one fighter showing a clear advantage

  • 10–8: A dominant round, significant knockdown or sustained superiority

  • 10–7: An exceptionally dominant round involving multiple knockdowns or overwhelming control

Even rounds should be avoided wherever possible.

Judges will assess:

  1. Clean and effective striking

  2. Visible impact

  3. Damage caused by legal techniques

  4. Effective aggression

  5. Cage control

  6. Defensive skill

  7. Balance and composure

  8. Variety of legal techniques

  9. Knockdowns

  10. Overall control of the round

Simply moving forward does not automatically win a round.

Aggression must be effective.

High activity without clean scoring techniques may be outweighed by fewer but more accurate and effective strikes.

18. JUDGES’ DECISIONS

A contest may end by:

  • Unanimous decision

  • Split decision

  • Majority decision

  • Technical knockout

  • Knockout

  • Referee stoppage

  • Doctor stoppage

  • Corner retirement

  • Disqualification

  • Technical decision

  • No contest

  • Draw, where permitted

Unanimous Decision

All judges score the contest for the same fighter.

Split Decision

Two judges score for one fighter and one judge scores for the other.

Majority Decision

Two judges score for one fighter and one judge scores the contest as a draw.

Draw

A draw may be declared where the official scorecards do not produce a winner.

For a title fight, The War Room may use an additional round or another pre-agreed method to determine a champion, provided this has been communicated before the contest.

19. KNOCKOUT AND TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT

A knockout may be declared where a fighter is unable to continue following a legal strike.

A technical knockout may be declared where:

  • The referee stops the contest

  • The doctor stops the contest

  • The fighter’s corner stops the contest

  • A fighter cannot safely continue

  • A fighter is taking sustained unanswered strikes

  • A fighter fails to answer the start of a round

  • An injury caused by a legal technique prevents continuation

20. FOULS, WARNINGS AND POINT DEDUCTIONS

The referee may respond to a foul with:

  1. An informal verbal instruction

  2. A formal warning

  3. A point deduction

  4. Disqualification

The referee is not required to progress through every stage where a foul is serious, deliberate or dangerous.

Immediate point deductions or disqualification may be used for:

  • Deliberate strikes to the back of the head

  • Intentional groin attacks

  • Striking after the break

  • Striking a grounded opponent

  • Deliberate cage grabbing that prevents a knockdown or sweep

  • Repeated illegal techniques

  • Serious unsporting conduct

  • Ignoring the referee’s commands

21. ACCIDENTAL FOULS

Where an accidental foul occurs, the referee may pause the contest and allow the affected fighter reasonable recovery time.

The doctor may examine the fighter.

If the fighter can continue, the contest will restart.

If the fighter cannot continue, the outcome may depend on:

  • Whether the foul was accidental or intentional

  • The round in which the contest was stopped

  • Whether enough rounds have been completed to use the scorecards

  • Whether the injured fighter contributed to the incident

  • The referee’s and doctor’s assessment

The result may be a technical decision, disqualification or no contest.

22. CORNER RULES

Each fighter may have a limited number of approved corner personnel.

Only authorised corner personnel may enter the competition area.

Corners must:

  • Follow the officials’ instructions

  • Remain in the designated area during rounds

  • Leave the cage before the next round begins

  • Keep the competition area clear

  • Use only approved equipment and substances

  • Behave professionally

Corners must not:

  • Enter the cage during an active round

  • Touch either fighter during a round

  • Abuse the referee, judges, doctor or opposing team

  • Throw objects into the cage

  • Interfere with the contest

  • Use unapproved stimulants or substances

  • Deliberately delay the start of a round

A corner may retire their fighter by informing the referee or event official.

Serious misconduct by a corner may result in removal from the venue, a point deduction or disqualification of the fighter.

23. BETWEEN ROUNDS

During the rest period, corners may:

  • Provide water

  • Give tactical advice

  • Apply approved ice or cold compresses

  • Manage minor cuts under the supervision of officials

  • Adjust approved equipment

No unapproved substances may be used.

Fighters must be ready to compete when the rest period ends.

Failure to answer the bell may result in the contest being stopped.

24. TITLE FIGHT RULES

Rules of War title contests are fought over:

5 rounds of 2 minutes

To win a War Room title, a fighter must:

  • Meet the agreed championship weight

  • Complete all medical and administrative requirements

  • Use the required equipment

  • Follow all official instructions

  • Be declared the winner through an approved contest result

A fighter who misses championship weight may be prevented from winning the title even if the fight proceeds.

Where the defending champion misses weight, the title may be declared vacant.

Where the challenger misses weight, the champion may retain the title regardless of the contest result, subject to the final decision of The War Room.

Any title-specific conditions will be communicated to both camps before the event.

25. CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

All participants must behave professionally.

Fighters and coaches must show respect toward:

  • Opponents

  • Officials

  • Medical staff

  • Event staff

  • Spectators

  • Sponsors

  • The venue

Threatening behaviour, discrimination, abuse, deliberate intimidation outside normal promotional activity or physical altercations outside the contest may result in removal from the event.

The War Room reserves the right to suspend or refuse future participation to any fighter, coach or team whose behaviour damages the safety, reputation or professional standards of the promotion.

26. FINAL AUTHORITY

The referee has final authority over the contest while the fighters are inside the cage.

The medical team has final authority regarding medical fitness and fighter safety.

The War Room management has final authority regarding:

  • Match approval

  • Weigh-in decisions

  • Equipment

  • Contest format

  • Title eligibility

  • Administrative matters

  • Fighter or corner conduct

  • Event participation

The War Room may amend, interpret or apply these rules where necessary to protect fighter welfare, ensure fairness or respond to circumstances not specifically covered in this document.

Any changes affecting a specific contest will be communicated to the fighters and coaches before the fight wherever reasonably possible.

By accepting a War Room contest, fighters and coaches confirm that they have read, understood and agreed to follow these rules.

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