Qualifications Needed to be a UFC Referee

MMA Referee Training Outline

Qualifications for a UFC referee must include as a minimum:

1. 5 years of professional MMA refereeing experience

2. Proof of proficiency in submission grappling

3. Proof of working knowledge of boxing, muay thai, judo, and wrestling

4. Provide full resume

5. Provide any past teaching experience

6. Ability to present instructional material to a wide range of individuals with varying educational backgrounds

7. Proof of basic knowledge of combative sports medical injuries such as concussions, lacerations, orthopaedics, communicable diseases, and choke holds

In order to become an MMA referee in the first place there is a course you must take. The minimum amount of material in the course they take must include:

1. Ethics: Code of conduct, Conflicts of interest, Handling media issues, Socializing with fighters

2. Referee’s Appearance

3. Pre-Fight Duties:

   Rules meeting

   Meeting the fighters

   Cage or Ring inspection

   Proper Handwraps

   Gloves

   Safety Equipment such as mouthpiece and groin protection

   Proper fighter appearance such as hair, nails, wraps, pads shorts, vaseline, etc

   Coordination with ringside physician and EMT’s

   Keeping control of the cage and the fighters separated pre bout

4. The Role of the Referee during the contest - health, safety, control, and fairness

5. Cage or Ring Cleanliness and Excess Water or Blood

6. Handling the Corner People: Identify chief second, Corner interference, Dealing with an irate corner after a stoppage

7. In Between Rounds: Checking the fighters, Checking the scores, Checking the fighting area

8. During the Bout:

   The issue of touching gloves

   The differences between a cage or ring i.e. restarts, re-creates, the ropes

   Proper positioning

   Proper voice commands

   Accidental foul procedures

   Intentional foul procedures

   Deducting points and disqualification

   Replacing the mouthpiece

   Dealing with lacerations

   Lost contact lens, glove, or safety equipment malfunction

   Technical emergencies such as lighting failures, cage door malfunction, etc

   How to handle a fighter who falls out of the ring

   How to utilize the ringside physician

   How to utilize the corner inspector

   When re-stand the fighters

   When to separate standing fighters in a clinch

   Where to restart the fight after a temporary stoppage

   Handling a fighter in a submission hold who isn’t tapping

   What is intelligently defending yourself?

   Stopping the contest

   Handing an unconscious or injured

9. Review of the Unified Rules: Include detailed review of all fouls

10. Techniques:

    Review of Boxing, May Thai, Wrestling, Judo and Jiu Jitsu maneuvers

    Emphasis on submission attempts and how to advance position to a position to finish the fight

    What is an active, threatening guard?