By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) As per my previous article, many of the techniques associated with MMA are routinely utilized and practiced in other combat sports disciplines on an international level and they have been practiced safely. The evolution of MMA includes a heavy influence from Vale Tude, shoot wrestling and BJJ. Vale-tudo is Portuguese for…
Tag: KatrinaRefRules
MMA 101: What are holds, take downs and submissions?
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) Many people are not familiar with the technical aspects of MMA and have viewed the vast arsenal of the technical elements of the sport of MMA as confusing and in some cases “barbaric”. However, MMA techniques by their definition come from a wide variety of recognized martial arts and combat disciplines….
MMA 101: Why so many rules in MMA?
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) The reason for rules in MMA competition include keeping contestants, ring personnel and spectators safe, and to maintain a sense of fairness and uniformity during each competition. The number one concern of a referee during a competition, however, is the safety of the competitors. In fact, one of the reasons rules…
WADA Prohibited Substances
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) Sadly, we occasionally hear that another MMA fighter has tested positive for an illegal substance – like steriods or marijuana. Some fighters, like Nick Diaz, admit to drug use. Diaz says smoking marijuana is part of his plan as it helps him to be “more consistent about everything.” Not much we…
NJ State Athletic Control Board’s new Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Rules just released
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) Nick Lembo, the the legal counsel for the New Jersey Athletic Control Board (NJSACB), just released the new Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules and Regulations, to be in effect starting January 1, 2010. Since I was one of the commentators who contributed to the revised rules and offered a few…
MMA Weekly interviews Herb Dean after Nelson vs. Kimbo fight
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) MMA Referees are often questioned about the decisions they make during an MMA fight, and for a variety of reasons: if they stop a fight too soon, too late, at the wrong place, if they stand up the fighters, if they don’t stand up the fighters, etc. – they just cannot…
How do MMA Judges score the fights?
By Katrina Belcher Recently there’s been some controversy on whether or not MMA judges are doing their job properly or well. To the casual observer, it may not appear so, but then not everyone knows or understands the MMA Unified Rules of Conduct used by these judges to score each bout. To help fans and…
Can anyone become a professional MMA Fighter?
By Katrina Belcher(KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) Nowadays you see them everywhere: black or gray grunge-look t-shirts and hoodies, complete with skulls, crossbones, and dripping blood with TapOut, Affliction, Projekt Label decals and more, with such sayings as I Love MMA, Gladiator, Keep it in the Ring, Combat Killer and more. Not the kind of apparel your kids’ schools…
What do MMA Referees earn?
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) A lot of people nowadays are asking the same question: “What do MMA Referees make?” What a great question! To find out, I went to where the most popular MMA events are held – Nevada, and asked the Nevada State Athletic Commission that and the following questions. They were kind enough…
What are the different female weight classes in Mixed Martial Arts?
By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) In Women’s MMA (WMMA), just like for their male counterparts, female fighters must adhere to a strict set of weight classes, designed to even out the competition between fighters. In fact, you may have recently read about the issues some female fighters were having making weight for their fights. The best…