Tag: VAC

VAC Commissioner Explains Judging to Justify Decision Win in Elkins Vs. Omigawa

As reported by SB Nation, Vancouver Athletic Commissioner, Jonathan Tweedale released the following statement in regard to the uproar over the Unanimous Decision win (scores: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27) awarded to Darren Elkins this past Saturday.

As reported by SB Nation, Vancouver Athletic Commissioner, Jonathan Tweedale released the following statement in regard to the uproar over the Unanimous Decision win (scores: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27) awarded to Darren Elkins this past Saturday at UFC 131 over Michihiro Omigawa.

“In the first round, Elkins backed Omigawa up with punches the entire round. He controlled the center of the cage. He was throwing a lot more shots, and landing more — and in combination. If there is any controversy as to the outcome of the fight it must be because of the second round. That was a very challenging round to score. An argument can be made in favour of either fighter. Elkins landed more punches. At one point, when Omigawa came forward, he was stopped dead in his tracks by Elkins’ combination punches, and at another point he was slightly buckled. Due to Omigawa’s unusual stance and balance, it was difficult to tell exactly whether he was rocked by some of these shots. However, you could see Omigawa’s leg bend, and the control shift to Elkins as he landed the combo, stopping Omigawa in his tracks, taking the center of the cage, and going on the attack again. These sequences, as well as the total effective strikes landed, could reasonably warrant awarding the round to Elkins. Elkins didn’t land many more than Omigawa, but he did land more. (The Fightmetric numbers agree.) As to the blood – it represents something, but a cut can be caused by a glancing blow and some fighters just cut more readily than others.

That’s a round about which reasonable people can disagree. Close rounds like Round 2 of Omigawa vs Elkins serve as useful examples for discussion, to assist in refining and evolving the community’s understanding of the scoring criteria, generally. And that is a good thing for the sport.”

Fight Metric has not released an indepth data report for the Elkins vs. Omigawa. UFC did award Omigawa his win bonus.

Judges to Use Personal Video Monitors at UFC 131 in Vancouver

(MMA Judging: So easy you can do it with your back turned.)

In a move designed to improve judging by giving officials a better view of the in-Octagon action, the Vancouver Athletic Commission has approved the use of cageside video monitors by its appointed judges at UFC 131.

According to VAC chairman Jonathan Tweedale, the decision to allow judges to utilize close circuit television screens to better observe what’s going on in the cage while their views are obstructed was made to help eliminate questionable judging disparities.

“Hopefully this small step, along with mandatory education for all officials, will enhance the fairness and consistency of judges’ decisions if other jurisdictions follow suit,” Tweedale told MMAJunkie today. “The fighters deserve as much.”

(MMA Judging: So easy you can do it with your back turned.)

In a move designed to improve judging by giving officials a better view of the in-Octagon action, the Vancouver Athletic Commission has approved the use of cageside video monitors by its appointed judges at UFC 131.

According to VAC chairman Jonathan Tweedale, the decision to allow judges to utilize close circuit television screens to better observe what’s going on in the cage while their views are obstructed was made to help eliminate questionable judging disparities.

“Hopefully this small step, along with mandatory education for all officials, will enhance the fairness and consistency of judges’ decisions if other jurisdictions follow suit,” Tweedale told MMAJunkie today. “The fighters deserve as much.”

The Vancouver, BC show will mark the fourth time monitors have been used as an aid in judging UFC events. They were utilized at UFC on Versus 1, UFC 117 and UFC 121.

UFC vice president of regulatory affairs, Marc Ratner, who indicated that the promotion will put in a request with the Nevada State Athletic Commission that monitors be used at UFC 130 in Las Vegas downplayed the screens as being, “just another tool for the judges.”

According to California State Athletic Commission executive director, George Dodd, he specifically requested the use of monitors shortly after he took the helm of the governing body February 2010.

“There are no regulations that say we can’t have monitors in that area,” Dodd said. “Sometimes we don’t get the best look because those big bars are in the way. It just gives the judges another angle to score fights.”

NSAC executive director Keith Kizer told MMAJunkie earlier in the week that the use of monitors in Nevada would have to be approved by way of a vote at the next regulatory hearing and that, although he wasn’t necessarily opposed to the use of monitors, he didn’t feel they are necessary as judges may become dependent on them.

Come on, Keith. We’re talking about TV monitors here, not crack. He should be all for using whatever it takes to ensure judges get it right for once. Maybe he should start by getting Cecil Peoples on a plan for free prescription eyeglasses.