Issue 144
August 2016
Ending a fight prematurely may be rare, but it could be required to put fighter safety first
Mixed martial arts can be such an unpredictable sport. Its many variables leave even the most traveled and experienced of us utterly bewildered sometimes. A fight is, of course, an unrehearsed competition where nothing is predetermined and no two fights – or nights – are ever the same.
Such surprise and unpredictability unfolded when I worked an event in my hometown of Birmingham, UK, for British promotion BAMMA’s 25th live event. There was an unprecedented three fights won or lost, depending on your view, via disqualification.
A DQ occurs when a fighter is fouled by an action or technique that’s deemed to be illegal under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and is then deemed unfit to continue after the doctor’s inspection and the referee’s assessment of the foul. Despite those simple rules, there are still a few common misconceptions surrounding a fighter who is fouled.
The first point I’d like to clarify is the time allotted to a fouled fighter. Under the Unified Rules the only foul and instance where a fighter can utilize and take the full five minutes of recovery is for a low blow or groin shot. At all other times, in all other instances, once the doctor and referee have made their assessment the fighter must return to action on command.
It’s an extremely common misconception that a fighter can take a full five-minute recovery period after any foul. But that’s certainly not the case. An experienced referee will utilize the up-to-five-minutes-to-recover allowance to allow a fouled fighter a fair recovery period.
It’s imperative that the referee brings in a doctor for an inspection to assess the situation. It’s also just as important that they take a calm and controlled understanding of the incident by taking a considered and educated view of the foul and its effect on the fight. These are the hallmarks of an experienced official.
The second point I’d like to clarify is the ruling surrounding a medical professional’s role. The referee remains the sole arbiter of the contest and will decide on the outcome of the contest based upon the advice and determination of the doctor.
Unlike a surface or superficial cut where a referee could make their own determination based upon experience, a third man should never go against a doctor’s advice regarding closed injuries they can’t see. In this instance, they would always err on the side of caution and stop the contest – even if it were proved later that there was no injury. Safety first at all times.
The last point to consider is the intent and effect of the foul committed. A fighter must illustrate to a referee they are aware and in control of their actions and techniques at all times, particularly those scenarios where they may be close to finishing their opponent.
This remains solely the responsibility of the fighter and no one else. How I explain this to fighters in pre-fight rules briefings and one-to-one meetings is that if they can see what I can see at the time of the strike – i.e. the opponent and target area didn’t move or change position – then we are firmly on the same page and they are totally in control of their thought process and choice of action.
Fights can be fast paced, highly-charged affairs and it takes for a calm understanding and rationale to deal with split second actions that can entirely effect the outcome of the fight. A referee’s clarity of mind in such instances remains our sharpest and most valuable asset.
Super Mario
Laying down the law
There have been 11 DQs in UFC history (up to UFC 199) and one referee leads the way in sticking to the rules with three, Mario Yamasaki. He disqualified: Ricardo Almeida for persistent fouls at UFC 31, Erick Silva for punches to the back of Carlo Prater’s head at UFC 142 and Maximo Blanco for kicking a downed Akira Corassani at the TUF 18 Finale.
