The Commission may designate a contest as one in which the winner is declared the State champion for the weight class in which the contest takes place. A contest may not be promoted as being for a State championship contest without the prior consent of the Commission. To be eligible to participate in a State championship contest, a contestant shall: Reside in Maryland for at least 1 year preceding the State championship contest; or Participate in at least two contests in Maryland within a 24-month period preceding the State championship contest. In determining the eligibility of a contestant to participate in a State championship contest, the Commission shall consider the contestant's: Official record; Experience; and Fitness to compete in a contest pursuant to COMAR 09.14.04. To challenge for a State championship, a contestant shall submit a written challenge to the Commission. Upon determining that a contestant is eligible as provided in Regulation .02 of this chapter, the Commission, within 10 days after its determination, shall notify the existing State champion in the pertinent weight class, if any, of the: Filing of the challenge; and Date by which a title defense shall be made. If a proper challenge is made, a State champion shall defend the State championship within 6 months from the date of winning or retaining a State championship. The Commission may extend the time within which a State championship is to be defended if: A determination by the Commission that a contestant is an eligible challenger is made within 30 days of the time within which the State championship is to be defended; or The State champion is suffering from an injury or ailment, certified by the Commission's medical staff, that renders the State champion unfit to participate in a contest. The Commission may void a State championship held by a contestant for any of the following reasons: A loss in the ring in a State championship contest; A forfeit in a State championship contest; The inability to make weight for a State championship contest; The failure to defend a State championship as required by Regulation .04 of this chapter; The winning of a regional, continental, or world championship title; A violation of Business Regulation Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland, or any regulation of the Commission; and A violation of any federal or state law other than minor traffic violations. A contestant is considered a State champion only by winning a State championship contest, and a contestant may not be considered a State champion by way of default. A contest to determine a State champion consists of: Ten 3-minute rounds in a boxing or kickboxing contest; and Five 5-minute rounds in a mixed martial arts contest. A person may not promote or advertise a contestant as a State champion or challenger for a State championship in a false or misleading manner. The promoter of a State championship contest is responsible for the cost of a State championship belt. The design of a State championship belt is subject to the approval of the Commission. Business Regulation Article, §4-205, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: May 6, 1996 (23:9 Md. R. 669) Regulation .02 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .02A amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367) Regulation .03 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .04B amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .05 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .05E amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367) Regulation .06 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .07 amended effective March 9, 1998 (25:5 Md. R. 367); July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898) Regulation .08 amended effective July 6, 2009 (36:13 Md. R. 898)