Weve previously mentioned that you need a license to work as a referee, but first, you must take a course. He can deduce points for rule violations, he can stop a fight, declare a fighter as unfit for further combat, but he cannot influence the final decision about the winner. If it's you taking the blame to protect the fighter, take the blame. This usually costs between $50 and $200, depending on the state, and you must pass a formal test to obtain a license. It would have been nice to learn that lesson without injuring myself, but sometimes you need to touch the stove to know it's hot. "I remember Tank Abbott was fighting Oleg Taktarov at UFC 6 and he put his finger in Oleg's mouth, and my dad did that in a fight one time and he told me, 'That's fish hooking -- don't ever do that,'" McCarthy said. In general, no more than a quarter of the people participating in each session reach that mark. The third step is to become certified by a MMA governing body. Youll be doing smaller bouts before you even get a chance to enter the bigger events in the UFC, and even more to enter the exclusive UFC pay-per-view events that also bring the most money. "I became an official after UFC 1," McCarthy said. Promoters often offer a flat fee for services rendered, while more experienced referees will be paid more for higher levels of competition. Entry Requirements. The goal of this aspect is to test your knowledge and your application of that same knowledge. Stay on current site or go to US version. Get dedicated, apply yourself and you will succeed. Made by Passion, Association of Boxing and Combative Sports Commissions, The Best Dumbbell Exercises for Chest Definition, Chess Boxing Rules (Plus) Definition Thereof, Hanb Vs. J Whats the DIFFERENCE (and Similarities). To be honest, these two are two of the finest ever to do it, so it may be worth the purchase. "The state of California has wanted to put Frank in certain situations and I've told them, 'Don't do that yet. Referees, meanwhile, are put in the cage with fighters and are scored on their positioning and ability to properly officiate a fight. Our experts use a first-hand testing and reviewing method. Usually, this costs anywhere from $50-200 dollars depending on the state and you will have to pass some kind of formal test to get a license. It's important for the official to have compassion for that fighter and compassion for what they are going through. Copyright 2023 Way of Martial Arts So, in the beginning, be prepared to do the hard labor. So, if you ever pondered about being an MMA referee youve come to the right place! Obtaining a state license may be a long and arduous procedure for something that should be straightforward. Martial Arts Culture 2023 McCarthy asked. Do you need to attend MMA referee school? All course participants who pass must sign and read a Code of Ethics policy. Address: Zadarska ul. There are no hiding places and it all comes out in the wash in the end. Annually, the sum comes to almost $380,000.They get around $1,500 every match, assuming they have 2 to 5 years of MMA experience. It is critical to understand that this is not a certificate but rather an instruction. Additionally, experienced referees may also be sought after to officiate high-profile fights. McCarthy is standing in the front of the class alongside MMA referees Herzog, Jerin Valel, a former MMA fighter who has been working with McCarthy for the past nine years, Mike Beltran, a former McCarthy student who is famous among MMA fans for his long, unique facial hair, Mike Bell and Marc Goddard. It also requires being able to make quick decisions and being able to keep a cool head in high pressure situations. Unit 2 Bankside, The Watermark, Gateshead, on Marc Goddards Guide to Getting Started as an MMA Referee, Dan Hardy talks PFL Europe and his new role with the PFL: This is where I can really make a difference, Cage Warriors 142s Aaron Aby: Im one of those guys whos got no quit in him, Molly McCann staying grounded and focused ahead of UFC London return, Fired-up Paddy Pimblett vows to flat-line Jordan Leavitt at UFC London, Tom Aspinall reveals conversation with Dana White that led to UFCs return to London. Sadly, there is no equality between different categories or even genders. Are you a practitioner in any martial art? RT @MrAlexRamzan: Got to meet my favourite #MMA referee @marcgoddard_uk at @CageWarriors #CW153! Why is it important to have a certification to become an MMA referee? In fact, there are simply too many in certain states to keep everybody working regularly. Can you speak the language?". "This is not about you," McCarthy said. Here, we shall outline a guide on how to become an MMA ref. Although he is neither a fighter, nor an analyst the referee must know everything they do. So, basically, Gordeau couldve killed Tuli and the referee could to nothing about it? In other words, you dont need previous experience in MMA fighting to become an MMA ref. According to ESPN, McCarthy wants rookie officials to have this sort of unique information through the COMMAND Program. I'm not going to stand there while a fighter is getting his head stomped in and I can't stop it because his corner is too stupid to throw in the towel. At the end of the course, McCarthy expects you to be able to talk techniques with him and his instructors. REFEREE DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS. He did say they teach MMA referee courses, You just missed one on the 1/11/2009. Also, dont expect to get paid much for your first MMA venture. I can't do that.'". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. REFEREE . "Blood is colored sweat," McCarthy said. Those who decide to pursue a specific certification can expect to take more specialized courses, such as rules and regulations, safety protocols, and officiating techniques. This represents most state athletic commissions in this group. To be eligible for certification, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to knowledge and experience of the sport. In other words, you can have all of the knowledge in the world but without a license, this will be pointless.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'budodragon_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-budodragon_com-medrectangle-3-0'); This means that getting a license is vital to your MMA refereeing career as you cannot legally proceed without one. checking the ring, checking the fighters, collecting score cards but your actual influence at that point is non-existent. In short, if theres a friend of a promotion or state commission, theres a good chance theyll be given the job ahead of you. Dan Miragliotta is a Hall of Fame UFC referee and deserves the No-Nonsense nickname he got. So thats about it, right? In order to become an MMA referee, one must meet certain qualifications. Youll start your career in smaller events, probably state or regional ones. youre there to protect the fighters and the fight, not to enforce public opinion and whatnot. Being in the MMA doesnt mean youre there just for the fight. The first portion is a technique exam in which you will view a video that includes all of the skills provided on this website. We havent talked about them in particular because the same rules apply to both men and women when it comes to the rules and prerequisites, but not when it comes to wages. Referees must have a comprehensive understanding of the rules of MMA and be able to make quick decisions in the heat of the moment. The criteria is very strict and you have to be able to, after completing the course, freely and normally communicate with McCarthy and his colleagues about the specific topics and issues related to MMA and the fights. So, your career is going to start off slowly. So, starting with UFC 3, this rule became official and so the MMA started creating its ruleset. Syllabus - Day 1. Ever Wondered Why Do Fighters Put Vaseline on Their Faces? "I owe it to the fighters to fail you if you don't know what you're doing.". A female MMA referee earns around $1,000 for each fight, with approximately a $3,500 incentive for PPV events. You may not even get paid for your debut if you need to prove yourself. This could include attending a referee training course, watching professional MMA fights, and studying the rules of the sport. The fact is that there is a basic salary for different categories of referees and it increases based on their reputation, the event and the money the promotor gives out for each event. Like all skills in life, the more you train at something, the better youll become. Ironically, some referees have also made headlines for the wrong reasons over the years whereby theyve made controversial decisions. Furthermore, referees must keep their cool even when faced with hostile competitors. There are many questions I get asked on a regular basis but, fortunately, I never get tired of repeating my answers. Those who have just qualified and attained a Class A licence as a Cutman may service both amateur and professional matches, including main event and title fights. Those interested in becoming an MMA referee should also research the requirements and qualifications needed to obtain certification. However, as hes not. He'll get to a point where he's ready for that main event.". They can even earn extra if they oversee many fights in a given evening. To be successful in their application for a Class A licence, a Class B Cutman must demonstrate; In order to be eligible to participate in an IMMAF International Cutman Certification course, participants must already have a national level Cutman Certificates Grades C & B and have a minimum of two years national level experience. Firstly, it is essential to have a comprehensive knowledge of the rules and regulations of MMA. The next step in becoming an MMA referee is to become certified. Hope this helps :) We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. However, judges must take into consideration the shoulders of a boxer as being in the scoring zone. Therefore, you may have to attend a local course instead. Marc is a former MMA fighter, with a forgettable pro record of 7-6. IMMAF awards licenses for refereeing and judging internationally in MMA. These include their. National Level Federation course or approval from Federation Officer/ license (in any country or state) or IMMAF officials certificate. Greasing athletes before entering the Octagon, Shadowing an experienced Cutman with Class A status on amateur or professional events, an understanding of the role of a Cutman under the Unified Rules of MMA, an understanding of core values of the profession e.g. Please acquaint yourself with the techniques mentioned as a requirement for the class since you need to recognize and name the takedowns, submissions, and positions displayed during testing. first aid courses, wound care, research, evidence based an referenced articles which can be published or submitted for review through IMMAF. adherence to dress code and professionalism. The first thing is knowledge. Motion doesn't mean contact. There are actually a lot of technicalities, formalities, and weird, uncommon rules that you may need to learn that can be picked up in these courses. They normally do around 3 courses a year maybe more! These numbers concern only professional referees with a high reputation in the UFC. The course covers: The Unified Rules of MMA. Honestly, these are two of the best to ever do it so its possibly worth the investment. Remember, youre practically a nobody at this stage. Two people are attempting to beat up the other person, and one of them occasionally goes too far. You must invest to be a successful referee, and understanding the rules is essential to your work. So what if he's throwing punches? It is important for potential referees to understand the qualifications and requirements needed to obtain certification. It's a real sport with real rules that is finally getting some attention.". COMMAND isn't the only referee certification course available, but it's one of the most popular. What now? The next part is knowing the rules and fouls of the sport and being able to apply past precedent to situations you are faced with. Once the application is approved, the referee is officially certified. According to Big John, his COMMAND program has three required qualifications, which without you will not be able to complete his classes and obtain the UFC license you so desperately desire. The first component is a technique exam in which you will view a video of techniques you must recognize and comprehend. "We want people to fight, not be warriors," McCarthy says. On completion of the logbook, Class B Cutmen must service an event under a Class A Cutman. Its a question many aspiring referees ask, and the answer depends on a variety of factors. The final test will ask you to observe a 5-round fight, grade each round, and then justify your ratings. If we include the fact that younger referees dont actually get invited to pay-per-view events, the yearly amount of c. $14,500 is not just unfair compared to the above-mentioned sums, but also quite small. Remember, its always much easier as an armchair fan compared to someone who does it for a living. You could try and befriend influential people, but this is easier said than done. To summarize, consider this process seriously, and dont assume youre too excellent to strive to improve your refereeing abilities. Another crucial point to mention is that a referee must continually monitor and stay current with changes. Where the referee works, which promotion they are affiliated with, and their level of experience all play a role in determining their salary. A referee must know all the methods, movements, and terminology. With this in mind you may . As with any ability, the more you practice, the better you will get. We are here to provide you with news, views, high quality articles and more from a variety of disciplines. Including five years as a MMA ref, proof of grappling experience, as well as knowledge or experience in other martial arts. They score each round based on the competitors performance, deduct points for rule breaches, and eventually declare the winner if both fighters still stand after the fight. I didnt have time to think or say no and the rest, as they say, is history. LAS VEGAS -- I knew I was in trouble when I heard my ribs crack as the air slowly left my body. England. I don't give a f---. What you learn in that course and how you utilize it will determine whether you can apply for (or purchase) a license. If you get that, then I've done my job. However, nothing similar has happened in the UFC yet. This is done by submitting an application and undergoing a background check to ensure that the potential referee is qualified to officiate bouts. It takes more than just enthusiasm to become a certified MMA referee. As the saying goes, consistency breeds results. So, youve gotten your licence and youre now an official MMA referee. The fierce matches are most likely the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about UFC. "I want you to leave knowing more about the sport of MMA and more about what's important for the officials than you ever knew in the past. If you want to qualify as a referee, you will need to be at least 14-years-old, live in England and successfully complete the FA Referee Course. I was due to fight at a particular event, I got injured and had to subsequently withdraw from my scheduled bout. Be warned, it's a long road and isn't easy - but if you're determined enough then read on. Regardless, its fair to say that being an MMA ref is a good gig to have and if it interests you then you can make a good career out of it, so long as youre willing to put in work and above all else, fundamentally understand how MMA works from a refs perspective. On average, an MMA referee can make around $50,000 a year depending on the number of fights and the experience they have. So, what do you actually need? Its a long way from getting your licence to becoming Big John and most of the referees dont even make it that far up. Unlike the UFC, several lesser organizations utilize only one or two officials for the night. Based on the publicly available data for 2020, a professional UFC referee earns as much $1,500 per regular match or about $380,000 per year. There are some groups that argue that having a background in a certain martial art can be a negative. Professional fighters are paid around $2,500 each fight, with about $10,000 extra for PPV events. Remember, experience is a place that you graduate to and not from. You might not become Big John, but you can reach the top. As previously said, MMA officials did not have it simple initially. All in person courses for applicants who successfully pass and certificates issued are recognised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation [IMMAF] and the Association of Boxing Commissions [ABC]. He's famous for being a great ref, but for being the biggest ref in all MMA, too - even bigger than Big John. While judging can be subjective, instructors want to know if you are able to score a fight correctly and are "within the acceptable tolerances." Find out more on our Information for Referees page. "We need you to be able to speak the language," Valel said. We need new referees and judges. Only IMMAF official signatures, dates, the event and duties may be entered into the log book which may be presented as evidence on application for Class A Licensing. and later you could apply for a license after you complete the course. Without sounding too pessimistic, nepotism is alive and well on the MMA referee circuit, at least thats according to internet rumors. Be warned, its a long road and isnt easy but if youre determined enough then read on. He simply could not stomach being inside the Octagon as someone was getting unnecessarily beaten without the ability to step in and stop the fight. Consistency, as the adage goes, breeds results. It is never complete and a good referee will always participate in new courses and seminars, despite his experience and reputation. 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. Becoming an MMA referee at a professional level is not easy in any way. Simply being an experienced fighter, no matter how talented or tough you are, is not enough. A small cut can cause you to bleed. He is constantly within the octagon and must ensure that the competitors follow the rules and respect one another. If you want more of the same, keep following us for more. The promoter was let down last minute by another official and he asked me to step in.