Tennessee Code Title 39. Criminal Offenses § 39-17-1101

(a) It is an offense for any person or persons to engage in what is known as prize fighting or boxing with or without gloves, or in other brutal sport or exhibition, whereby bruising, maiming, or other serious bodily injury may result to the boxers or participants unless regulated pursuant to title 68, chapter 115.

(b) This section shall not be construed to apply to football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse or similar activities, nor to any professional contest of unarmed combat regulated pursuant to title 68, chapter 115.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or declare unlawful any activity authorized by other provisions of this code when carried out in accordance with the other provisions, or to render any participants of the same liable to the penalties of subsection (d).

(d) All persons engaging in the sports or contests designated in this section either as principals, aids, seconds, or backers, commit a Class C misdemeanor.