As with many fans and fighters alike, UFC veteran turned commentator Kenny Florian isn't satisfied with MMA judging's status quo. Relying on his 17 trips inside the Octagon, coupled with his part-time work calling fights, Florian aims to tackle the complicated issue of improving how best to score matches.
Along with some of the more standard revisions like installing monitors and requiring a better technical knowledge of the sport, Florian wants to see firmer standards for scoring certain techniques.
Another huge problem with judging is that we haven't really assigned values to specific techniques that are executed cleanly in the UFC. What value is a takedown versus a clean cross to the jaw? Is a knockdown valued the same as a near submission? Is a person going backward but landing punches not as effective versus a person going forward and eating punches? Is a high-amplitude takedown better than a foot sweep? These questions can be difficult to answer especially when seeing them performed at full speed in the context of a back-and-forth mixed martial arts contest. These are issues that should be discussed at length among judges.
Florian also recommends judges be held to higher standards of professionalism by being subject to periodic quasi-peer reviews.
I think we also need to hold the judges accountable for their actions. I doubt judges are paid very well, but money is always a pretty good motivator for job performance. How great would it be to have the judges reviewed by a panel of fellow judges, referees and fighters? This way we can reward good judging and penalize poor judging monetarily. After all, the fighters certainly pay for it financially in a big way if they are on the wrong end of a decision. I would also like to see quarterly reviews by an independent panel of judges, referees and fighters. This would help encourage judges to work hard to educate themselves and improve at their job. Fight footage and breakdown from fighters, judges and referees would really help explain things and help give good perspective on rounds won or lost.
Sound like a plan? Or is it just wishful thinking? Could Nevada's recent C.J. Ross scandal be enough to force larger commissions to revisit their modus operandi?
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Dana snubs Aldo's move to lightweight. Jose Aldo still wants his fight with Anthony Pettis, but would prefer it at 155lbs. "Many people talked about moving up (to 155 pounds), and I've asked for that," Aldo said. "But Andre (Pederneiras, his coach) and Dana (White) said it wasn't the right moment.
Struve on the mend. Good news as Stefan Struve's manager provides us an update on his recovery. "Stefan's doctors have cleared him to return to training so they can evaluate how he responds over the next several months."
Machida prefers Munoz. While admittedly a bit awkward, Lyoto Machida says he's happy to face a high-ranked opponent in Mark Munoz. "Mark Munoz was always very friendly, gave me tips during trainings," he continued. "We helped each other a lot. But we were training together, it's not like he was teaching me. You test yourself a lot during sparring."
No easy task. Desperate to save his ex's house, James Thompson recounts his amazing story of drowsily accepting a fight with Alistair Overeem, not remembering he'd done it the next morning. "I was still more nervous than I was before in previous fights--the combination of fighting the best person you've ever faced and doing the least training you've ever done was never going to have a great effect on my mental state." (Part 1)(Part 2)
25 questions with Baroni. 'New York Bad Ass' Phil Baroni talks everything from his wild PRIDE days to being fooled by Japanese ladyboys. "I'm not in that great of shape, though. I'm a regular guy. I like to go gamble, I like to drink, I like to eat. I don't stay in shape year round. I used to be big into Blackjack, but you can lose your money real fast like that, so now I'm playing Poker. It's a lot slower way to lose your money."
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Fight Night Barueri official weigh-ins.
The Pros pick Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III.
Jorge Masvidal mini doc. The realness is off the charts.
Gökhan Saki talks Glory 11.
Bonus Spong action.
Promo for Frank Shamrock's new show.
UFC Primetime: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3 - Episode 2.
Over/Under on heel hooks tonight?
Weird, weird knockout.
TWEETS
'Medium Severe' sounds like a cool band name.
So the news is that my heart has decreased in size and because of that the aortic valve leakage has gone from medium severe to minimal!
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) October 9, 2013
All quiet on the Lamas front.
I keep asking the @ufc for the Lamas fight but he is Refusing to fight me. Does that mean that I'm the #1 contender by default? @danawhite
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 8, 2013
He'll be fine.
Criminals, I am walking around LA alone with a very expensive bag, dare you.......
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) October 9, 2013
Opponent ideas?
"@JustinPopo: @RenzoGracieBJJ Renzo is it true that you are going to fight again? What weight class are you planning?" 155lb
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) October 8, 2013
The Gentleman.
@TimKennedyMMA @MMAjunkie lol those bastards. They should use this one: pic.twitter.com/f420GI11vp
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) October 9, 2013
Less Froyo, more Acai.
Acai in Brazil with tjdillashaw n @CristianoBJJ http://t.co/Le9ARMJbQ7
— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) October 9, 2013
Can nudity be implied?
Implied nude - pushin limits but that's what I do all day every day http://t.co/SbTCwVCfZl
— Michelle Ould (@MichelleOuldMMA) October 9, 2013
But he's starting Wednesday?
I will post a video everyday this week of me making a fool of myself.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 9, 2013
Eh?
Need help with a walkout song for #ufc166. Ramones' "Do you wanna dance" or Japandroids' "the house that heaven built." Which do you guys...
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) October 8, 2013
Unfortunately not Shawn's, but a great dog.
Well I love this!!! This is how my dog will dress everyday pic.twitter.com/VQcACDSPRg
— Shawn Jordan (@savageshawn) October 9, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 8 2013)
Julie Kedzie vs. Aleksandra Albu at UFC Fight Night 33
Tom Niinimaki vs. Rani Yahya at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via a guy2.
Positioning: The Key to Everything (Part 1)
Position before submission. Everyone's heard that phrase before and it's a wonderfully apt reference to the core of most grappling arts. Striking, unfortunately, lacks the same type of concise and universally understood slogan. Instead, it has tragically misunderstood cliches such as "work the jab", "move your feet" and "hands up!" Part of that may be a problem with terminology. Position before punches? That obviously just doesn't have the same poetic beauty to it. I've never been good at titles so maybe someone better at words than me can give the essence of this article a nice little catch phrase.
In grappling, everyone knows what positioning is. You have the various guards, side mount, mount, back-control, all that good stuff. They are very clear, well-defined positions containing further positions within them. It is generally well-understood who is winning and what each person wants to do from these positions. In striking, positioning is infinitely more subtle and often barely visible. Especially to those who have simply never been taught what to look for. Thus, here is a basic guide to positioning while on the feet that may enhance both your training and viewing experiences of striking sports.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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