Things Didn't Go So Well The Last Time The UFC Visited New Mexico
Or Ah Man, Are We In For Another Night Of Controversy?
Welcome to the latest C’mon Now newsletter. This is the place where I’ll share my thoughts on all the goings-on in MMA. Those thoughts could range from media criticism to advice for folks looking to get into MMA writing to why certain fighters or managers are not good for the sport.
Today’s post looks at the New Mexico Athletic Commission ahead of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 167 fight card
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My memory is garbage, so I didn’t recall what happened the last time the UFC visited New Mexico. That card, UFC Fight Night 42 took place at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. The date of that event was June 7, 2014. It was the first time the UFC visited New Mexico. Thanks to the internet I was able to recall that the event did not go so well and most of the concerns were with the judging and referees. That does not bode well following last week’s calls for judging reform in the aftermath of UFC 247.
The July 5, 2015 edition of “The Albuquerque Journal” detailed some of the issues from the event:
Albuquerque fighter Diego Sanchez was awarded a victory by highly questionable split decision over England’s Ross Pearson. More than a year later, some are still calling it the worst decision in UFC history.
Brian Caraway “fish hooked” opponent Erik Perez - stuck his fingers in Perez’s mouth and pulled to one side in a highly illegal and dangerous fashion. Referee Raul Porrata did not see the foul and imposed no penalty.
Referee Kevin Mulhall, in the opinion of some observers, allowed Rafael Dos Anjos to land illegal blows to the back of the head of opponent Jason High. Then, according to High, Mulhall prematurely stopped the fight and declared Dos Anjos the winner by TKO. High, furious, responded by shoving the referee.
UFC fighter Carlos Condit said of the New Mexico Athletic Commission:
Unfortunately, it’s amateur hour over there. I hate to say it, but, yeah. The commission, it’s a lot of nepotism, lots of, ‘Hey, this is my cousin, he’s gonna have this job.’ That sort of thing going on. Not anybody who’s necessarily qualified to be in those positions. That’s my opinion on it.
Despite the uproar, UFC VP Marc Ratner had nothing bad to say about how the NMAC ran the event.
It couldn’t have been better. Very cooperative, easy to work with. ... No problems whatsoever. It was very much normal. My part is to make sure about officials, just the regulatory part, and it worked out great. A good show there.
MMA Junkie ran a poll after the card regarding the judging of the Sanchez vs. Pearson fight and more than 85 percent of the reader’s who responded judged the fight as a robbery with more than 35 percent calling it an “all-time travesty.”
UFC president Dana White also had an opinion.
Diego lost that fight. The judge who judged that fight should never be judging fights again. He never should be judging fights of this caliber. He needs to go back down into the amateurs and really learn how to judge a fight.
First of all, you gave every round to Diego, who got dropped in the second round. It was a knockdown; how does Diego win that round? It’s not possible. I don’t know how you can vote against him, but it goes to show that you’re never safe. That’s as bad as it gets.
Some good news, as far as I can tell (via Tapology), that judge, Jeff Collins, has not judged a UFC event since the Sanchez vs. Pearson matchup.
Now Some Info on the NMAC
According to the NMAC website the following are required of an MMA fighter competing in the state:
Blood Work: HIV, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibody. Fighters who live in New Mexico, blood work is good for 6 months when it was drawn. Fighters must provide blood work for each fight they are competing in.
Physical: All fighters must take a pre-fight physical that is performed by a licensed M.D.
Now compare that to the requirements of California:
Blood Work: HIV Antibody, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibody. Blood work needs to be done within one month of the date listed on the application
Physical: Must be administered and signed by a licensed M.D. or D.O. The exam is valid for the one year licensing period. The physical may be administered out of state, but a form approved by the commission must be supplied.
Eye Exam: An eye exam administered by either a licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist is required. Eye exam is valid for the one year licensing period. The eye exam may be administered out of state, but on a form approved by the commission must be supplied.
EKG: Must be administered by a licensed M.D. or D.O. The EKG is valid indefinitely, unless the commission requires a new one on a case-by-case basis. The EKG does not have to be administered by the same doctor who conducts the physical, as stated on the website.
Radiological Exams: MRI of the brain without contrast and the GRE Technique must also be included. The MRI scan is to be performed on a 1.5 Tesla MR Machine with capabilities including fast spin echo and FLAIR imaging. Image sequences should include axial T1, T2, and FLAIR images; coronal images should be performed as a T2 coronal; and a single sagittal T1 sequence. As soon as possible, please arrange to have the images placed on a CD and forwarded to the Commission at: 2005 Evergreen St., Suite 2010, Sacramento, CA, 95815. If a CD is not available, please forward the actual film within ten (10) days to avoid suspension of your license. MRI is valid for 5 years.
Neurological Exam: A Neurological exam is required and is valid for 15 months.
More on the NMAC:
I asked the following questions of the commission. I received no reply.
Can you provide me with a list of referees and judges you will be using for the UFC event as well as their pay for the event?
Can you please let me know the requirements for MMA referees and judges in New Mexico?
Can you please let me know what rule set will be used for the event?
