Methods to Improve MMA Judging: Part Two

At the very least, it's reasonable to think that the 10-point must system goes hand-in-hand with the number of rounds used and what portions of the fight are scored. My idea here is an attempt to derive the best from both worlds by using overall scoring, while maintaining a round format where each round is the same length.

Hopefully in the future we can find and implement a solution to this judging dilemma.

Back to the main point here, the IFL certainly did not fail because of the rule-set that it employed, and it delivered some awesome matches within its four-minute format.

With the addition of two extra rounds and four more in title fights, I think we can arrive at an ideal way to judge fights. A system that can appeal to combatants of every stylistic background, as well as fans who are either casual or more hardcore in their following of the sport.  

I don't think my main proposition here is too far-fetched. Hopefully we witness something of the sort in the near future, but of course the main problem here, as with all my other propositions, is convincing the state athletic commissions and the bigger promotions that it is a workable idea or at least worth trying.

Proposition:  Put Two Referees Inside the Cage/Ring

The NHL started using two referees and two linesmen several years ago and the organization has benefitted tremendously. Obviously with more eyes watching, the chances of missing something subtle are reduced and better calls are made on the ice.

Quite frankly I think that soccer should be using two main referees also, since it's difficult for one man to catch everything that happens.

In regard to MMA, I think putting a second referee in the ring or cage could have several benefits that outweigh the negatives.

For one, size would not be an issue, as there is plenty of room within a standard cage or ring for four humans. One man could be designated as the head referee, while the second works as his assistant.

The assistant referee would work in much the same way as his counterpart in soccer or hockey, though of course he does not have to worry about calling offsides.

He would provide another viewpoint to the match, help the main referee call a stoppage to the contest, determine if a fighter has submitted, observe any fouls that take place, and help enforce the rules.

One reason why poor stoppages occur is because the referee is unable to see how injured a certain fighter really is; and thus either stops the bout either too late or too prematurely. This is owed to an error in judgment based on his viewpoint and how fast the action is happening.

A second referee would provide especially useful in cases where a fighter gets rocked or dropped as he can then either stop the fight himself, if he is in a good position to do so, or motion to the head referee to intervene. Thus the frequency of bad stoppages could be reduced if this method is applied.

The head referee has the final call however. The point here is that the assistant referee has the power to call an ending to the fight if the head referee misses something important (like an eye poke), but if they both see the end of the fight clearly then it is up to the head referee to pass final judgment.

In this manner, the services of a second referee are employed to the fullest extent, without having the sort of disputes that would interrupt a match.

Thus the overall role of the assistant referee is to help the head referee make the right call. The assistant referee's added perspective allows every dimension of the fight to be taken into account, without the bias or prejudice that can occur when a single referee runs the show.

The quality of refereeing in MMA will continue to get better in the future, naturally enough, as licensing criteria becomes more stringent and greater knowledge and experience about the sport amasses.

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