- Joined
- Sep 24, 2025
- Messages
- 2
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Warnings & Points
The sport of MMA is still relatively new and with that the rules, regulations and parameters of the sport are not quite rock solid. I think it’s important to know that I want to be a part of this world in some shape or form. So with that, I’ll say WE are still looking for concrete judging criteria for judges to use.
For the majority of MMA‘s existence, the athletic commissions have provided judges that have came from boxing. Those commissions have provided a 10 point scoring system that hails from boxing. The problem is it just isn’t transferable. You don’t buy a dog and then start taking care of it like it’s a cat. While they are both combat sports, they are not the same animal.
Baseball, America’s pastime is even starting to move in the direction of technology. While, umpires are still present and a huge part of the game, they are not solely responsible for everything. Like umpires, each individual judge in MMA has their own criteria. We know that most athletic commissions and their judges should be looking at damage as the top criteria. For years, Mike Goldberg/Jon Anik would let us know that fights would be scored by striking, grappling, aggression, and octagon control.
While there are many possible results for a fight, the referees still seem to be as erratic as the judges. This is incredibly important , as the referees directly affect the decisions of the judges.
Here’s the great news! I’ve come up with an answer that from my point of view seems to make the most sense. Let’s have a little call back to when I brought up baseball. America’s pastime could be MMA‘s future. Let’s go with the three strikes and you are out. Let me further explain myself.
There’s a lot of things that take place before a fight actually begins. For those of you who don’t know, there are fighter meetings with the commentators and refs. This is where referees can be clear with what the expectations are for the fighters. With the rules set in place, you have your first warning.
Once the fight begins, I believe that any sort of illegal infraction should result in strike number two. Whether it be a low blow, an eye-poke, or grabbing the fence. As soon as another infraction takes place, it should be an automatic point deduction.
There needs to be a more clear and cut uniformed set of expectations. Less wiggle room for things to be open to interpretation. If the MMA community wants to continue to garnish respect and be taken seriously in the world of sports, then we need to start taking ourselves more seriously.
Gabriel Brand
The sport of MMA is still relatively new and with that the rules, regulations and parameters of the sport are not quite rock solid. I think it’s important to know that I want to be a part of this world in some shape or form. So with that, I’ll say WE are still looking for concrete judging criteria for judges to use.
For the majority of MMA‘s existence, the athletic commissions have provided judges that have came from boxing. Those commissions have provided a 10 point scoring system that hails from boxing. The problem is it just isn’t transferable. You don’t buy a dog and then start taking care of it like it’s a cat. While they are both combat sports, they are not the same animal.
Baseball, America’s pastime is even starting to move in the direction of technology. While, umpires are still present and a huge part of the game, they are not solely responsible for everything. Like umpires, each individual judge in MMA has their own criteria. We know that most athletic commissions and their judges should be looking at damage as the top criteria. For years, Mike Goldberg/Jon Anik would let us know that fights would be scored by striking, grappling, aggression, and octagon control.
While there are many possible results for a fight, the referees still seem to be as erratic as the judges. This is incredibly important , as the referees directly affect the decisions of the judges.
Here’s the great news! I’ve come up with an answer that from my point of view seems to make the most sense. Let’s have a little call back to when I brought up baseball. America’s pastime could be MMA‘s future. Let’s go with the three strikes and you are out. Let me further explain myself.
There’s a lot of things that take place before a fight actually begins. For those of you who don’t know, there are fighter meetings with the commentators and refs. This is where referees can be clear with what the expectations are for the fighters. With the rules set in place, you have your first warning.
Once the fight begins, I believe that any sort of illegal infraction should result in strike number two. Whether it be a low blow, an eye-poke, or grabbing the fence. As soon as another infraction takes place, it should be an automatic point deduction.
There needs to be a more clear and cut uniformed set of expectations. Less wiggle room for things to be open to interpretation. If the MMA community wants to continue to garnish respect and be taken seriously in the world of sports, then we need to start taking ourselves more seriously.
Gabriel Brand
