Article 1

Winning

• If a lower ranked fighter defeats a higher ranked fighter, he will take the higher rank.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #10. Blue defeats Red and becomes #1.

Article 2

Losing

• If a higher ranked fighter loses to a lower ranked fighter, he will fall 5 ranks.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #10. Red loses to Blue and falls to #6.

Article 3

Draw

• If a fight ends in a draw, the ranks remain unchanged.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #10. The fight is declared a draw. Red remains at #1 and Blue at #10.

Article 4

Sliding

• It is possible to slide up or down a rank due to the results of another fight.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #2. Black is ranked #3. Blue defeats Red and takes the #1 rank. Red falls to #6. The #2 rank is now vacant thus Black slides up from #3 to #2.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #10. Black is ranked #9. Blue defeats Red and takes #1. Red falls to #6. The #10 rank is now vacant thus Black slides down from #9 to #10.

Article 5

Disqualification

• If a fighter losses by disqualification, he will fall five ranks regardless of whether or not he was the higher ranked fighter.

• The winner of a match by disqualification will not take the opponent's rank.

• Example: Red is ranked #2. Blue is ranked #10. Red loses by disqualification and falls to #7. Blue does NOT take the #2 rank.

• Example: Red is ranked #2. Blue is ranked #10. Blue loses by disqualification and falls to #15.

Article 6

Inactivity

• Activity is defined as taking part in a fight that results in a win, loss or draw. Forfeits or no-contest matches do NOT count.

• The penalty for going one calendar year [January 1st to December 31st] inactive is a drop of 5 ranks.

• The penalty for going two calendar years inactive is a drop of 15+ ranks.

• The penalty for going three calendar years inactive is a drop to the bottom of the list.

• The penalty for going four calendar years inactive is removal from the list.

• Example: Red is ranked #3. He is inactive for 2004. On January 1st 2005, he falls to #8.

Article 7

Vacancy

• NO fighter may take the #1 rank by default.

• If the #1 fighter is disqualified in a fight, he will fall to #6 and the #1 rank will be declared VACANT.

• If the #1 fighter goes a calendar year inactive, he will fall to #6 and the #1 rank will be declared VACANT.

• When the #1 rank is declared VACANT, the next fight featuring the #2 ranked fighter, will determine the new #1 ranked fighter.

• Example: Red is ranked #1. Blue is ranked #2. Black is ranked #8. Red goes inactive and drops to #6. The #1 rank is declared VACANT. Blue, who is still ranked #2, defeats Black and becomes #1.

Article 8

Tournaments

• Fighters may challenge or defend ranks when entering tournaments. However, only the opening fights of the evening will count in the rankings.

• Example: Red is ranked #5. He enters an 8-man tournament. In the opening fight, he defeats Green who is ranked #17 and defends his rank. In the semifinal, he defeats Blue who is ranked #3. Red remains at #5. In the final, he loses to Black who is #10. Red remains at #5.

Article 9

Rules

• To be classified as professional kickboxing, bouts must allow the following techniques: gloved punches and kicks. Knees are optional. Elbows strikes are not allowed. [amendment 2005]

• To be classified as professional kickboxing, rounds must be scored on a ten point must system or reasonable alternative.

• To be classified as professional kickboxing, punches must be allowed to the body and head, and kicks must be allowed to the legs, body and head.

• To be classified as professional kickboxing, head gear will not be worn by the athletes. Other forms of protection are optional except in cases where said protection provides an offensive advantage.

• Example1: Kyokushinkai does not have gloved hands or allow punches to the head. It is thus not considered kickboxing.

• Example2: Full Contact Karate (aka. FC, FCR, Full Contact and American Kickboxing) does not allow kicks to the legs. The minimum kick requirement does not qualify as a reasonable alternative to the 10 point must system. Therefore, it is not considered kickboxing.

• Example3: Muay Thai allows elbow strikes and uses a holistic scoring scheme in place of a 10 point must system. It is therefore not considered kickboxing.

• Example4: Savate allows special shoes which are used for offensive purposes. It is therefore not considered kickboxing.