Ref Bumps: Needless Drama or Necessary Protection? Sotiropolous Urges Referees to Stop Tackling Fighters

For those not familiar with this little bit of pro wrestling trivia, the term “ref bump” is insider lingo for when the referee of a pro wrestling match is knocked out, sometimes intentionally. In general, it allows for outside interference or other illegal acts. I bring this up because the term may be taking on a whole new meaning in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, given the penchant some referees have shown for outright tackling fighters in order to halt the action. This usually occurs when one fighter has (T)KO’d or submitted his or her opponent and the referee needs to step in quickly in order to prevent unnecessary harm. But according to UFC Lightweight star George Sotiropoulos, overeager referees may end up hurting fighters before long if they don’t stop their bum-rushing ways.

Here are the highlights from an interview the top-ranked Lightweight recently had with Vigilante MMA. When discussing how the referee in his most recent fight pulled him off of Joe Lauzon after Lauzon tapped to a Kimura at the UFC 123: “Rampage vs. Machida” event, Sotiropoulos said the following: “…He pulled me so hard, he went overboard. It really bothered me… I’ve seen a lot of referees after a knockout or a knockdown or a submission, they jump on the guys and I think one day someone’s going to get hurt the way some referees break up the fight… You see them dive on the guy Brock Lesnar style…someone’s gonna get hurt.”

I think Sotiropoulos raises an interesting point, but it’s one that I feel pretty divided about. It’s certainly dramatic when a fighter is hauled off of his opponent by a referee, and it definitely adds to the spectacle of the sport. However, I do honestly think that some referees have begun to get carried away with themselves. MMA fighters aren’t animals; they’ll stop because they’re professionals and you tell them to. You don’t have to dive dramatically on top of a fighter like you’re an action movie star in order to end the fight; you don’t have to tackle a guy off of a downed opponent like you yourself are a fighter in order to stop that fighter from raining down any unnecessary punishment.

The problem, though, is that these bits of unnecessary roughness are rooted in good intentions. The safety of the fighters is paramount to a referee, and the safety of a fighter getting pounded on or wrenched apart should outweigh the safety of a fighter doing the pounding or the wrenching. A referee can’t be everywhere at all times, sometimes the only option they have when an unexpected finish occurs is to rush to it and get a little rough. I know that sounds pretty callous to the winning fighter, but the fighter that’s in danger of being seriously hurt has to take priority.

So which side is right? They both have their points, which is why I think a compromise is in order. What that compromise should be is up to the referees and the fighters. Maybe the referee could develop a signal to give to the officials ringside in order for a bell to ring to signify that the fight has been called. Maybe the referee could carry a whistle and blow it to signify that he’s stopping the fight if he’s not close enough to physically stop it. That’s just off the top of my head, and I’m sure that far smarter men than me could help bring both sides to an effective compromise. And while I know that no solution is perfect, I think that something does need to change.

But what about you, fans and friends? Do you agree or disagree with what George Sotiropoulos has to say?