[§440D-1] No rules combat, extreme or ultimate fighting, or similar contests prohibited. (a) No person shall hold, promote, or participate as a contestant in no rules combat, extreme or ultimate fighting, or similar contests.
(b) In addition to any other applicable judicial remedy, a person who violates this section shall be subject to section 436B-26.5 and a fine of not more than $10,000 for each offense. Each day's violation or failure to comply shall be deemed a separate offense. The fines shall be levied and collected by the department.
(c) As used in this section, "no rules combat, extreme or ultimate fighting, or similar contest" means a match or exhibition performed in this State, in which the contestants:
(1) Are permitted to use a combination of combative contact techniques, including punches, kicks, chokes, joint locks, and other maneuvers, with or without the use of weapons, that place contestants at an unreasonably high risk of bodily injury or death; and
(2) Have received, directly or indirectly, any money, prize, reward, purse, or other compensation, or promise thereof, for the expenses of training, for taking part in the contest, or for winning the contest.
The term does not include a contest involving the exclusive use of boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, or martial arts.
(d) In any proceeding before the department involving a violation of this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a violation has occurred and a promoter or contestant shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption.
(e) For the purposes of this section, "department" means the department of commerce and consumer affairs. [L 1997, c 130, §2]