Issue 063

June 2010

By Marc Goddard.

And so, the life and times of an MMA referee continues. One thing (among the thousand others!) I am asked with increasing regularity is “How I do I become an MMA referee?”  

Of course I could go on an inane ramble and get on the moral high ground, but to be honest if I was sat back and forced to pick one word that could be readily attributed to the role in question, it would have to be ‘preparation’. Preparation is paramount! This of course could be used to describe anyone doing anything at any time – job, hobby or pastime. The preparation could come in many forms, maybe past experience and direct involvement, and this is where I shall start my thread.  

My life as an MMA referee (unknowingly) started years ago while training in many martial arts and combat sports such as Thai boxing, judo, boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. Then I moved into amateur and then professional MMA and submission grappling. Never did I realize then how fundamental and how deep a foundation I was laying, gaining experience after experience that I would later draw upon in abundance as an MMA referee.  

The experience and in-depth knowledge from teaching, training and competing simply cannot be bought, and it has stood me in great stead in understanding exactly what is unfolding in front of me during an MMA fight. An often-overlooked weapon is the psychological understanding of the fight game: Just what a fighter may be feeling and thinking at any given moment of an MMA fight. I treasure this bedrock that I have garnered as it has proven itself time and time again. Having an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter is a wonderful thing, both technically and psychologically.  

Preparation then takes on another meaning as you move up the ladder of refereeing. For instance, I could be handling a part-time fighter on a regional show – he may be a student or, as is quite often the case, have a full-time job – so for all intents and purposes this is a hobby to him. On the other end of the scale, I could be handling a modern MMA star and have their career (not hobby) in my hands.  

Does this fight get him a title shot? Does his future within the organization depend upon the outcome of the fight? Does winning this fight mean he can pay off his mortgage? Does it mean he can take care of his family for the rest of their lives? What will a few hundred local fans and supporters, or a sold out arena of thousands and a live global TV audience of millions, think? These aren’t things I can ever stop to ponder on, before or during a fight, but when you sit down and think about it in hindsight you may see the range of duty and responsibility that an MMA referee may hold when he decides to make that split-second call and stop the fight.  

Always the most common and unwavering factor in officiating a fight – no matter what the level or consequence of the outcome – is the safety of the fighters, and this should be the defining factor of any MMA referee when he steps into that ring or cage to take charge of the action. As my motto details: ‘Just let the fight play out in front of you – within the confines of the rules – and protect the fighters.’

Physical preparation will also play a key part. I still train, roll and spar today, although the intensity is not as high now my competing days are behind me.  

I remember my debut as a referee in the USA, it was for UFC 101 in Philadelphia, and part of the procedure for licensing requires referees to undergo a medical. I was called in to see the doctor and the examination began and we started to talk. “Where are you from?” he asked. “Birmingham, England,” I replied. “Can you remove your shirt please?” he requested, and as he moved the stethoscope around my chest he asked me, “So who are you fighting tonight?” It made my trip – but only because I was then in still reasonably good shape!  

Time and travel are also factors that need to be considered, as acclimatizing before an event is not a luxury often reserved for a referee. A long drive or flight (sometimes to the other side of the world) can leave little time for recuperation, but the ever-ready ref is called upon to perform to the best of his ability.  

Preparation will also take on many mental forms, from research and educating yourself about a particular fighter’s traits (and sometimes tricks!) to lone psychological warm-ups. This is something that I often do, particularly with the UFC. We will be handed our assignments on the night of the show when we arrive at the arena – I then like to go off and find a quiet corner for ten minutes, sit alone and in silence and mentally prepare myself for the night’s action.  

Again, I cannot allow myself to ponder or be distracted by the consequences at stake, or the TV cameras, the commentators, cornermen and coaches, or the fighters whose very income relies so heavily on my performance. Instead, it’s a blank canvas of concentration and just me and my motto.

Marc Goddard is a top referee and has officiated main events for the UFC.