Zapatista

What is the difference between professional and amateur MMA? I've heard that amateur MMA doesn't allow strikes to the head which, I would think, means that there aren't any KO's or TKO's (I'd imagine, unless there is real power behind a body shot). So wouldn't it be basically a submission wrestling match? Also, what are the qualifications to go professional? Sorry if this is a broad question, I'm new to the actual competing part of MMA (I've been watching for a couple years but I'm thinking of fighting in it after I graduate from college).

SHIN2DADOME

Im not really sure about amature mma but we had some amature mauy thai fights at my gym and the rules were no knees to the head and no elbows everything else was fair game, kicks to the head, punches to the head although we were headgear gloves and shin gaurds.