Has Criticism of MMA Referees Gone Too Far?
by Luke Thomas on Jun 16, 2008 11:02 AM EDT
in MMA News
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PrintNot even close. Over at MixedMartialArts.com, I explain why those who suggest MMA referees deserve leeway because of the "subjectivity" of MMA refereeing are trying to have their cake and eat it, too:
While I don't dispute that's true, subjectivity is also a two way street. You cannot at once claim refereeing is inherently subjective and simultaneously say similarly subjective criticism regarding those subjective decisions has no place in the discussion. Subjectivity, by definition, sets very few boundaries about what is off limits or appropriate. If referees are allowed to make decisions based on criteria valid only to them, critics should be afforded the same opportunity to pass judgment based on their own criteria.
The whole thing here.
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It has to be...
...to a degree. There is no way that you can set a solid rule of when to stop a fight. Refs need to make a judgment call if a fighter is out as another fighter is landing shots…etc.
There is always going to be a degree of subjectivity in reffing.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison
by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 16, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, to a degree
It has to be subjective to a degree, but to the least degree possible. Since there is only one ref, the chance for corruption is much higher than with the three judges.
The rules for refs should be as strict as possible.
MMA.tv Partnership?
What’s up with the cross-post at MixedMartialArts.com? Have you guys started a partnership or something along those lines? If so, good job. That should be good exposure.
(formerly TheFightJournal)
Reffing will always be subjective to a point, but criticism comes with the territory for any ref, whether it’s MMA or Hockey or Soccer, etc. They’re a huge factor in deciding the outcome of the match. Especially in MMA, fighter careers are depending in part to the trust that the ref or judge is competent. What we’ve seen over the past little while is warrent enough for criticism of the refs and of judging. I see nothing wrong with the criticism.
lol that was a incomprehensible mess. The crux of your argument, that subjectivity apples to both the refs and the critics, does nothing to address the high level of difficulty in accurately calling an MMA fight. Passages like this just add to the confusion:
“Additionally, while suggestions that Miragliotta and Elite XC scripted the outcome of the Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson bout aren’t out of bounds, they aren’t exactly rational or worthwhile either.”
So they’re not out of bounds… they’re just without merit?
There's nothing confusing.
Read it again if you didn’t understand it the first time.
No one is suggesting reffing is easy business. What we’re suggesting is that those who would protect refs from criticism by suggesting the difficulty in reffing stems from subjective judgment don’t have much of a leg to stand on. If they’re going to use subjectivity as a shield, they also open themselves up to an enormous range of criticisms. By contrast, if there specific rules for every scenario, then you can criticize the ref for their adherence to the rules set. Much is open ended in MMA, so I’m not sure how saying “referring is subjective” is any sort of an excuse.
And yes, the claims that Miragliotta and EliteXC were on the take aren’t out of bounds. People are perfectly able to make them, but given that the evidence for such an arrangement is essentially nill and largely really on innuendo and not much fact, they seem pretty worthless.
What, exactly, is either incomprehensible or confusing about any of that?
“You cannot at once claim refereeing is inherently subjective and simultaneously say similarly subjective criticism regarding those subjective decisions has no place in the discussion.”
Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone make that claim. Who are these unseen “strident defenders” of referees? Your argument doesn’t really address, say, the truly subjective calls in MMA, like what “intelligent defense” is. I think maybe you are confusing “excuse making” with legitimate analysis, nobody ever tried to make it seem like refs should be totally absolved of any criticism.
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