Ref stoppage (sub)

[Will Thaxton]

The fighters understand the risks and the consequences. Generally speaking, I think the less the ref is involved, the better. Could you imagine if the ref had declared Verdum as the winner instead Vinny simply because his arm "appeared" to be hyper-extended while in that nasty armbar? Instead, the ref did the right thing and let fight take its course. And we wouldn't have been witness to this...

True!

[Mike Dewitt Jr]

I think in some cases the ref needs to step in....like if Tate didnt for some reason tap to Rouseys armbar, it should be stopped. Nobody wants to see a limb literally ripped off someones body.

[Brian Osborn]

I think in some cases the ref needs to step in....like if Tate didnt for some reason tap to Rouseys armbar, it should be stopped. Nobody wants to see a limb literally ripped off someones body.

Of course there's going to be people (including me) that would want to see that. It may be socially unacceptable on some level to "admit" that. But I can pretty much guarantee the nature of that content would yield high views. Whether on the UFC or some street fight YouTube video titled, "drunk idiot gets his arm snapped" - it's something significantly real that can be interestingly shocking and attractive to certain viewers.

You might not like it and it may not be considered mainstream to like it - but that is far from "nobody".

[David Rosado]

A ref should step in when a fighter is not intelligently defending himself. In other words, if they're too out of it to make proper defensive choices.

Fighters break their hands and feet in fights all the time and they continue fighting. How would you feel about a ref stopping a fight due to a broken hand? These are adult men who know the risks/rewards of their actions.

If a fighter gets choked out, KO'd, or stunned well enough, a ref should step in. If a fighter chooses not to tap, the ref should only step in once it's completely broken and considered a technical submission. Pretty much, the rules are fine how they are.

[David Rosado]

Also, in amateur MMA (at least the event I saw in PA), the ref does have the discretion to stop a fight due to submission if they see a fighter not intelligently defending. But in the pros, when you have guys getting show and, more importantly, win money, a ref shouldn't step in and prevent a guy from gutting out his paycheck.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

Also, in amateur MMA (at least the event I saw in PA), the ref does have the discretion to stop a fight due to submission if they see a fighter not intelligently defending. But in the pros, when you have guys getting show and, more importantly, win money, a ref shouldn't step in and prevent a guy from gutting out his paycheck.

good point

[Sean Marshall]

I was thinking Bones must be making enough money to fly to the best reconstructive doc in the world if he wanted. Probably be stronger than before like Tim Silvia. Along with Silvia Ive heard a couple of guys say they kinda like having a titanium plate inside of them.

At the lower levels early stops get sketchy. Should probably be careful for armbar type stuff.

I know someone that recently got stopped early in Bellator because the ref thought he was unconscious from a guillotine but he wasnt. He popped right up and asked what the problem was. Sucks cause the loss goes on his record still.

I think they should at least be able to restart a match after a bad stoppage. Use of instant replay or something

[Kurzy]

Yeah the fighters that are top-caliber, they know what the fuck they are getting into and what they are doing. Noobs might need interference, but not pros imo.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

I think they should at least be able to restart a match after a bad stoppage. Use of instant replay or something

Sure would be nice. Maybe not practical but I can’t imagine a L on my record because of a bad stoppage. Maybe refs should have to have an officiating record (lol).