It’s about time that officials in all MMA be properly certified in order to prevent injury.
Yesterday, the Calgary Combative Sports Commission posted the final results of their in depth investigation, regarding the unfortunate officiating job done by Len Koivisto, in the now infamous female MMA match up between Sheila Bird and Kim Couture.
Since first watching the bout (in astonishment), I sat back and analyzed the situation prior to offering my opinion.
At first glance, it's easy to point the finger at Koivisto, perhaps it was Couture for not tapping or maybe Bird for not releasing the choke. But in reality, the athletes harbor the smallest percentage of blame here and the vast majority falls on the official.
It's evident, by watching the video, that Couture's body goes limp at 1:45 (3:15 showing on the clock). The official has a top side view, perhaps looking at her eyes, but having full view of her full torso.
He allows the fight to continue for a few more seconds before physically checking to see if Kim is conscious, eventually waving an end to the bout at 1:51 (3:09 on the clock).
While many a physician will likely tell you that Couture being out cold for (an unnecessary) six extra seconds, is not life threatening, that's not the point.
She was out, and in the interest of fighter safety, the bout should have been halted the moment it was painstakingly visible, that she was unconscious.
Whomever Koivisto reports to should have entered the ring, pulled him aside, informed him he was done for the evening, and subsequently explained that he better prepare a full statement to defend his actions.
As per their statement:
"After an in-depth investigation, the Calgary Combative Sports Commission members rendered a decision to support the official, Mr. Len Koivisto. No further action or investigations into the officiating of Mr. Koivisto will be required by the Commission."
No further action?
This is absolutely stunning and Calgary MMA fans wonder why the UFC has yet to hold a show there.
I may not speak on the UFC's behalf, but why would Zuffa want to hold an event where a government mandated regulating body, does nothing to reprimand an official who did what he did?
Can you imagine if this scenario happened inside the octagon?
If it happened on a pay per view being watched by millions of people, with the eyes of the main stream media waiting to blame the promotion for this situation.
Further along in the statement, it says:
"It is the Commission’s objective to move forward from this incident and to continue to focus its efforts on the safety, health and wellbeing of the participants involved in combative sports."
Move forward?
I respectfully disagree, how about step back and reprimand the official while examining your licensing requirements?
Focus its efforts on the safety, health and wellbeing of the participants involved in combative sports?
Does this include allowing Koivisto to officiate bouts that include these participants who are worried about their safety when they compete under the commission's watchful eye?
With a referee who has now proven he may not be qualified to do his job?
Then again further in the statement, they made an attempt to prove he was more than qualified:
"Mr. Koivisto has been involved in the combative sports industry for close to 40 years, the last 23 in various officiating capacities. He is a well respected boxing referee (nationally and internationally) and has officiated MMA (nationally) for several years in various jurisdictions in close to 400 matches without incident. He has always taken his ring official’s duties very seriously and conducts himself with a great deal of professionalism."
With all due respect to Koivisto, I am told by folks who have competed in Calgary that he does, in fact, conduct himself professionally, and is apparently a very cordial gentleman.
I respect his reputation, but as for when the commission points out that he is a boxing referee for nearly 40 years: What does this have to do with officiating MMA?
And when it comes to MMA, he has officiated close to 400 matches without incident? Interesting; after 400 bouts, I would assume noticing when someone is choked unconscious would be second nature.
Then again, I could be wrong.
It should be noted that experience in any endeavour is worthless, when you are doing it incorrectly and under a false notion that you think you know what you are doing. This is where education by quality instructors comes in to save the day.
In the statement's second to last paragraph, it states:
"The Calgary Combative Sports Commission continuously communicates training opportunities to officials employed by the Commission relative to training programs in and around Canada and the US."
Communicating is a small piece of the pie they should be mandating training and certification, when it comes to those licensed under their jurisdiction.
"We have an expectation that our officials will remain current in the rules and regulations and are always seeking to improve their skills through courses and seminars."
So the question is as basic as it gets, is Koivisto a certified official? If not, why not? And why was he given a license to officiate an MMA bout?
If he is certified, then guess what? You better reopen your in depth investigation and figure out why he did not halt the bout earlier. This would likely mean he lost focus and a crucial time in the bout, and if so, why?
"Recognized training programs are relatively new to the industry and are only recently being adopted by many Commissions."
New? I respectfully disagree.
Pardon my narcissism, but I was certified in 2009 as a referee, and in 2010 as a judge under the C.O.M.M.A.N.D course. I did it for my own personal development as an MMA analyst and if I ran or was a board member of an athletic commission, there would be no option for anyone who wishes to officiate or judge an MMA bout.
Whether a 40-year veteran or newbie walking in the door, certification is required before licensing.
"A list of approved trainers only came into fruition last year."
Once again, that is incorrect. At the latest, they came into effect in 2010, as the Association of Boxing Commissions named and approved six different trainers.
To the members of the Calgary Combative Sports Commission, perhaps it is best to first look internally, to review your policies, and make sure everyone you license as an official or judge, has proven they are capable, competent and fully understand the intricacies that make up MMA.
Regardless of their experience, license only those that are certified and make them prove it.
If they refuse to, ask them to put their ego aside, and to go out and get certified.
Only then can you move forward and focus your efforts on the safety, health and wellbeing of the participants involved in combative sports.
