Why MMA Judging Won't Improve

A somewhat radical approach would be to not use judges from the athletic comissions at all, and find some people who actually know what they’re looking at.

i still think a rules overhaul isnt neccessary. i would be happy with judges who understand MMA. i think regardless of a change in rules, people will still “know” who won a round so long as they understand MMA.

As long as they have judges that get away with using their own, personal criteria instead of the rules in the book (see: Cecil “Leg Kicks Don’t Hurt” Peoples) no conceivable rule set will prevent boneheaded judging.

The best aspect of MMA is what makes it so hard to judge. MMA has so many aspects to it and so many ways to win that it makes it very hard to judge in a way that everyone will agree with.

Lets just return it back to the old day where there were no refs or judges or even time limits. That would eliminate subjectivity for sure.

We don’t know them well, like we know referee, yet they are an even more important part of the game. That might be a hard task considering how subjective judging is.

I think it is time to review and re-define the rules. For example, octagon/cage/ring control. It seems as though judging is really getting it wrong here and sort of using this as a “tie-breaker” in close rounds.

Don’t re-do the rules, simply streamline them, make them as clear as possible and educate the judges. As the sport evolves, so should the rules. Can you imagine today’s NFL players playing under the rules from the 1920’s?

It isn’t close decisions that swing one way or the other, that is the problem to me, rather, it is the fights where one judge has it 30-27 for fighter X and a second judge has it 30-27 for fighter Y.

I’ve lobbied for years for open scoring (the score being announced between rounds). Boxing considered it a few years back but (surprise!) they don’t embrace change. I think it would help things considerably but I’m almost positive we’ll never see it done.

I think the system could avoid most of the issues that people have with the current judging criteria.

for those of you who haven’t read it yet.. it’s here.

More the merrier

If only it was closer to home for me, I’d make a sign and stand outside their offices day after day.

Here is my idea: The Athletic Commissions in the US are a local government appointed body. That means you can go to the local governor and try to get him to fix this! The Nevada commission seems to be the most important one, so I guess it’s a good idea to start there… other states will most likely follow suit.

If your government doesn’t work for you, you’re being tyrannized. It seems quite obvious to me that MMA is a legitimate and legal sport that is being held back by bad governance.

1. Form a committee, make a (temporary) website, get some fighters in on the action to show the problems go deep and thoroughly damage the sport and the business. Make sure you set up a good presentation about what the problems are exactly (the good people at BE should be very able to do this).

2. Call the governor’s office and set up an appointment to adress this issue. He has the power to fix it, and he should. Remember that your government works for YOU, not the other way around. Make sure you present yourself well, preferably wear a suit and tie.

3. Get a reporter from the state news or paper or whatever to join in, I doubt the governor will let such a great oppertunity for easy positive media attention go. I see no reason the governor would decide against action, wich could be portrayed as ‘stabbing the sport and the business behind the sport’.

In short: Time for some political action. Make sure everyone involved is on their best behavior, don’t wanna portray MMA fans as stupid brutes right? :)