CONGRATULATIONS to the following individuals who successfully passed the MMA Referee and/or Judge Training Courses in Raleigh, NC on 1/21-1/22:

***As the ABC does not "certify" MMA Officials, the following individuals have successfully completed a course of instruction and comprehensive exam on the criteria essential to become a successful MMA Official. It is up to the individual sanctioning bodies to determine on the job performance and constantly evaluate thier officials to ensure quality***

Referee Training Course:

Wayne Spinola(NC), Eric Aquino(NC), Asa Herring(NC), Donnie Jessup(NC), Al Coley(NC), Larry Carter(NC), Dale Frye(NC), Joseph Hawes(SC), Todd Murray (TN), Nate Jolly(TN), Madeline Kidder(TN), Scottie Sawade(KY), Terry Callahan(KY), Russell Thompson(KY), Robert Riley(WV)

Judge Training Course:

Tony Coriale, Gary Armstrong, Jim Allred, Emita Clark, Brooks Felt, Omar Sellers, Joseph Hawes, Bobby Harris, Eric Aquino, Wayne Spinola, Shane Armstrong, David Ebert, Pedro Claudio, Patrick Honeycutt, Tiffany Sorber, Dennis Hammond, Joel Dovenbarger, John Pritchard, Timothy Gosch, Tyrone Evans, Troyce Stamey, Ronnie Sellers, Kevin Scott, Andrew Hopper, Steve Elliot, Will Hall, Will Rice, Mark Campbell, Cathy Leonard, Marty Garner, Bill Clancy, Robert Riley, Scottie Sawade, Madeline Kidder, Nate Jolly, Todd Murray, Russell Thompson, Stephen DeCasas, Joshua Cook, Lance Adams, Will Messer, Shawn Spinda, Keith Argabright, Stan Frierson, David S. Moore, Rick Woods

UPCOMING TRAINING COURSES

2/11/12 - MMA Judge Training Course - Lewiston, ME

                PLEASE CLICK ON THE jUDGE TRAINING LINK FOR SPECIFICS ABOUT THIS COURSE

Greetings MMA community!

My name is Kevin MacDonald and I have served the Mixed Martial Arts Community for over 10 years first as a fighter and currently as a referee. It is my goal to bring MMA officiating to the highest level. Recently I was honored by the Association of Boxing Commissions as one of just 6 referees to earn the title of MMA Officials Trainer. With more than 1300 bouts officiated, I wish to bring my experience and love for the sport to those who share my love of Mixed Martial Arts and wish to further its growth.

MMA is a relatively new sport and it is constantly changing. As the sport evolves, as must the officials.  Years ago, the MMA referees' job was mostly about making sure that a bout was halted once there was a tapout or unconsciousness.  While fighter safety remains paramount, MMA has evolved from two combatants fighting into one of the largest specator sports involving some of the worlds most elite athletes.  MMA is now a multimillion dollar industry where a split second decision by a referee can affect not just one persons record, but real salaries and careers of many.  Referees now must understand the differences between officiating amateur and professional bouts, point deductions, standups, stalemates, and the ever controversial "Referee Stops Contest" due to strikes.

Quality officials must continually educate and evaluate themselves to make sure that they are at the top of their game. A top level MMA referee can, and should, learn something everytime he or she steps into the cage. In addition, MMA officials should watch how their fellow officials perform their duties to gain valuable insight. 

I wish this site to be a resource for any and all legitimate training sessions for MMA officials to be advertised, respectful critiques, and as a place where questions can be answered or asked.  It is only by communicating and striving to get better that we, who work so hard for the sport we love, can become the best we can be.

Kevin "The Ref" MacDonald