What it takes to be an MMA referee

[nuraknu]

LAS VEGAS -- I knew I was in trouble when I heard my ribs crack as the air slowly left my body.

I'm on my back on the second floor of Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture MMA gym, wondering whether the last image I would ever see is the smiling face of MMA referee Jason Herzog as he leans on me and applies more pressure to my chest. From afar, I did not appear to be in the most devastating position a UFC fighter could be in, but I am not a UFC fighter. I am an out-of-shape journalist who would find out later that I had torn the cartilage in my ribs while realizing how little I knew about the sport I have been watching for the past 15 years.

As I struggle to get up from the ground, legendary MMA referee "Big" John McCarthy, who was at one time as synonymous with the UFC as the Octagon itself, gives me a hand as I make my way back to my seat. McCarthy is in Las Vegas leading his popular three-day referee and judge training course called COMMAND (Certification of Officials for Mixed Martial Arts National Development). I am one of the 30 students in the class because I think I have what it takes to be an MMA referee and judge. Then again, I thought I would get through the class injury free and, well, that did not turn out so great....

More: What does it take to be an MMA referee?
Arash Markazi, ESPN Senior Writer

 

[nuraknu]

Overall, the article was an interesting read, but I thought the writer could have included a lot more detail given that he actually took the course.

Also, he could have tied it in better with reffing controversies etc. He just didn't give enough specific examples from the class or from outside the class to tie it to real matches imo.

This could have been a great write-up.

 

[ShakaSway]

Good read. Touches a bit much on the writer’s new found appreciation for the sport, rather than an in depth on what it really takes to be a ref. Big John’s course seems insightful and does what its supposed to do. After all, it shows in the author’s words.

Eye opening to read the original UFC’s take on stoppages. Big John being instructed to let it go on further “...you don’t mind seeing people get hurt.” Is a tad scary of a thought given what we have seen since then.

Nice find.