3 MMA rules that need to change, 1 we hope never does
By Anwesha Nag
2. Effective use of replays, including for foul detection
MMA does use instant replays, but it is nowhere as effectively used as other sports at the moment.
According to the Unified Rules of MMA, "Instant replay may be used to review a 'fight ending sequence' and shall only be used after a fight has been officially stopped." It further says, "Once instant replay has been used to review a fight-ending sequence, the fight shall not be resumed."
This means replays can only be used to review the outcome of a fight after the referee has stopped it. As resuming fights after replays are not allowed, it would mean either a disqualification', a no-contest, or a technical decision, depending on the situation and nature of the referee's error, if any.
This means the fighters have to suffer for a mistake not committed by them. The said referee also gets crucified online for costing the fighters, which is a heavy burden to bear on top of the already existing intense pressure of officiating an MMA fight.
Changing this rule to something better suited for MMA would certainly help avoid such distressing situations.
Moreover, replay reviews do not cover errant calls by the referees. For example, if a referee misses an eye poke or a fence grab or fails to spot strikes landed after the bell, the fighter committing the offense gets away without having to cede any points. This is certainly unfair to the opponent and otherwise degrades the integrity of the sport.
Hockey, soccer, and several other sports take comprehensive assistance of digital replays to spot a foul or the legitimacy of a goal with an HD camera that is simply impossible for human eyes to catch. Humans err, but machines mostly do not. Better, more effective use of replays would ensure less burden on referees and fairer treatment of the fighters.