Issue 023
March 2007
By Grant Waterman.
The development of this amazing sport is truly inspiring. It’s like we are all having a job just keeping up with its growth. MMA hasn’t just evolved as a combat sport. It’s creating new fashions, role models and a culture all of its own. It even has some of the most compelling TV shows ever broadcast.
I’ve been involved at the highest level in MMA in the UK since the first Octagon was used over here, and I’ve worked on hundreds of shows now. A few people have started asking the odd question about whether I’m becoming bored of refereeing the same old stuff over and over again, but seriously, how could someone serious about officiating this sport actually get bored? Many of you probably don’t realise how much work goes into being an MMA referee on the top shows, and I’m not just talking about the day of the event. It’s not a case of simply turning up and getting in the cage for a few fights.
Throughout the year I make a point of monitoring the other major promotions around the world and seeing how the refereeing techniques are changing, if at all. Take the UFC for example. The fighters get stood up much quicker now than they used to. Of course the purists amongst you will be against this but the UFC are striving for that balance between letting the fighters fight the way they want to fight and entertaining the paying public. Saying that, I think the UFC are guilty of standing fighters up a little too quick on occasions. You also have to be aware of any subtle changes any of the governing bodies / commissions make to their regulations. Have a look at the Nevada State Athletic Commission web site and check out the regulations for MMA. If you’re reffing under their rules you need to know all that off the top of your head. If you’re reffing under a different set of guidelines the following week you need to know all theirs too.
You also need to (try to) keep up with all the submissions that can be applied. You need to be aware of when a submission is being set up, what body parts are at risk and whether it can be quickly countered to reverse the situation. I remember the first time a twister was applied while I was refereeing. The victim yelled out in pain before he had chance to tap and I was right on top of the action and stopped the fight immediately. I was unfamiliar with the technique at the time and it nearly caught me off guard.
This isn’t the end of it all either. Prior to an event the referee has to prepare a comprehensive talk on the rules, which must be presented to all the fighters and cornermen. You then have to liaise with the medical staff to ensure you are all on the same wavelength. The list goes on and on.
If you haven’t thought about any of the above but have contemplated trying your hand at refereeing some MMA, all you’d end up being is another spectator, only inside the cage.
During 2007 I’ve got the opportunity to referee at approximately 35 to 40 events in the UK as well as a few across Europe. I’ll be passing some of these shows on to other ref’s who are trustworthy and experienced enough to take over. As I said last month, things aren’t slowing down in the MMA world and how on earth could I be getting bored.
