Issue 067
November 2010
UFC referee Marc Goddard brings fight fans the ref’s side of the story.
Q. What is the referee actually checking for at the ‘Harley Davidson prep point’, and its equivalent at promotions besides the UFC?
A. The Ref says: Once a fighter gets to the team at the ‘prep point’ they will strip down to gloves and shorts then embrace their teammates and corner men. The fighter’s then passed to the registered ‘cutsman’ who’ll apply Vaseline to legal areas of the face only. The fighter’s then handed over to us, the referees, and we check their safety equipment: the gum shield and groin guard. We also check their gloves over, ensuring that the seal is signed and they’re free of any substance. We’ll then give the fighter’s body a once-over to ensure they’re devoid of any foreign substances including oils or liniments. Lastly we’ll look at any knee supports and anklets. These are required to have no solid parts; they can be ‘sleeves’ but not padded in any way. Elbow sleeves aren’t permitted.
Q. BJ Penn’s corner men referred to his opponent Frankie Edgar in an arguably unprofessional manner. Is inappropriate conduct from corner men covered by the rules?
A. The Ref says: Within the rules of the game the conduct of the corner men is under the jurisdiction of the referee during the contest. Any unsportsmanlike behavior and foul or abusive language can be used by the referee to adversely affect the fighter to which the corner men are attributed. Thankfully I have never had to disqualify a fighter due solely to the conduct and/or actions of his corner team. The behavior of a fighter’s supporters within the crowd is down to the event promoter and his security team and have nothing to do with an officiating referee.
The Ref Q&A
Don’t know your DQs from your decisions? Each issue, Marc will answer your questions on the ‘Unified Rules’ used in MMA
Q. Where is the line drawn on covering the mouth or blows to the throat? I’ve seen fighters put their hand over a floored opponent’s mouth, and seemingly rest a hand or forearm across a grounded fighter’s neck too.
Michael, via email
A. The Ref says: Thanks for your question Michael. Any form of striking to the throat is illegal, as is grabbing the trachea (wind pipe). Now, grabbing is technically defined as using the fingertips and crushing the trachea itself, so placing an open palm and thumb on the throat is allowed as long as there’s no attempt to pinch or claw at it. Covering your opponent’s mouth with your hand is also perfectly acceptable. As is resting, or ‘barring’, your forearm when applying chokes, or breaking posture. However, to lift and strike down with any part of the arm or hand to the throat is certainly not allowed.
Q. Is it essential for an MMA ref to be physically strong enough to break up the fighters?
Victor, via email
A. The Ref says: Hello Victor. In some American states officials have to undergo a general medical prior to license, as I did myself. It’s not stipulated that referees, who, like fighters, come in many shapes and sizes, have to maintain a certain level of strength or capability. I’m not sure how those could be measured anyway. Strength can, in certain situations, help enormously when you are refereeing two 300lb-plus super heavyweights: you might have to quickly intercept in the heat of the moment, for instance when a fighter is knocked unconscious or unable to defend himself. Then the ref in question has to at least stop the onslaught!
