So You Wanna Be an Ultimate Fighter... Judge? Why MMA Judging Needs Some Work

Judging in MMA has taken some serious flack recently. Whenever there is a controversial decision in a featured UFC bout, fans, fighters, and UFC presidents all have something to say about how deplorable the judging in MMA is.

UFC President Dana White always tells his fighters, “never let it go to decision” or “keep it out of the hands of the judges.” like a wise old timer cracking eggs of knowledge.

When questioned about why MMA judging is so hit or miss, he'll give the standard statement of: “the UFC has nothing to do with the judges. If fans don't like it, they should write their state representatives to get it changed."

Write my state representative?

That's because in 47 states, MMA judging is something relatively new. Usually, the State Boxing Commission handles the judging and licensing in all combat sports.

In the case of the 31 states without boxing commissions, the responsibility of judging MMA events falls squarely on the gaming/athletic commissions.

Because MMA is relatively new, athletic or gaming commissions either had to be created or highly tweaked to accommodate the rise in popularity of the sport.

The commissions, which are elected or appointed depending on your state's local laws, now handle everything from registering promoters, to sanctioning judges, to determining rules for strong-man competitions.

Aside from Nevada, where they have been dealing with boxing regulations for decades, other states, like say...Ohio, are as confused as a newborn raccoon in sunlight.

They've had to invent these judging and refereeing positions that are mainly used at a local pro/am level until the big show struts into town.

This leads to those same guys that were judging the Spider Rico/Rocky Balboa fight in the basement of an old armory suddenly determining the UFC welterweight champion in front of the 20,000 fans, the millions judging the judging at home, and the thousands writing about it the next day.

That kind of pressure surely has some sort of stringent, lengthy application process right?

Wrong.

Do you have ten minutes?

Two forms of picture I.D.?

Your kid's weekly allowance?

You're all set.

The Ohio Gaming Commission requires that you print off a one-page application that asks burning MMA related questions like “have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a traffic offense?” or “have you ever been suspended or penalized by any other state commission?”

After you fill those in, mail your application, and check for $20, wait the 5-10 business days for approval and you're all set.

After you “Shadow Judge” at least one pro/am event, where you fill out dummy scorecards, you get a real judge to sign off on your hours community service style, and you'll start getting assignments for your newfound judging expertise immediately.

One page, $20 and a dummy run.

To put this in to perspective: to apply at your local Wendy's, it takes a 10-page application, a resume, a three-week training period and a safety video.

So the next time a close fight goes to decision (read GSP v. Condit), don't blame it on the judges. The $125 stipend isn't enough to cover the flack they get for it.

If you don't like it, write your state representative or, if you have some spare time and a few extra bucks, man up and do it yourself.