MMA Math, Featuring MMA JACS 5000
By Roy Kok
Any sport that requires judging is going to run into trouble sooner or later. MMA has. Humans are flawed. No doubt, it’s a totally legitimate feeling to be utterly dumbfounded when one judge scores a bout 30-27 for one guy, and a different judge scores it 29-28 for the other guy.
Let’s face it: in the world of MMA, judging is arcane, in part because it is a vastly more complex, multi-linear and dynamic sport than awarding ten or less points reflects. The result of judges’ scoring is published during most televised events, but no rationalization or simple breakdown is provided during the fight or afterwards.
The world of MMA lacks consistency, too: in bygone days, PRIDE judges awarded fights to the most aggressive fighter in the concluding round. Affliction and Shockwave don’t publish their judging standards. In the UFC, points and decision victories are awarded based on the following criteria:
-Effective Strikes
-Effective Grappling
-Octagon Control
-Effective Aggressiveness
Definitions of the above are sorely lacking. What constitutes octagon control, for example?
Several problematic decisions have plagued the UFC. Probably the most infamous is the Michael Bisping versus Matt Hamill decision at UFC 75, where a defensive, counter-punching Bisping snuck a victory out from under a clearly more aggressive Hamill based on a judges decision.
Seemingly, a submission or KO is the only definitive assurance of a fair fight with the ten-point “must” system. Fighters in the UFC who do not knock out or submit their opponent are awarded ten or less points according to the above criteria, which are not and have never been elaborated upon.
Alarmingly, UFC judges appear to use pencil and paper to judge fights!
In no way do we want to revert to such archaicisms as endless matches without rounds. Hence, better - and more importantly - transparent and permanent judging methods and criteria are necessary. That’s where Mixed Martial Arts Judging Analysis Computerized System 5000 (MMA JACS 5000) comes in. No, it’s not a futuristic, MMA-loving, omniscient robot (cool as that would be). Rather, it is state-of-the-art software that allows judges to effectively and far more objectively score rounds within a system that reflects the depth of MMA while allowing judges to analyze a fight better in real time.
MMA JACS 5000 allows judges to focus on the true diversity of MMA action within the fight, scoring fights objectively based on individual actions within a ring, while still relatively allowing for an intuitive measure of a fighter’s aggression, or in other words intent or desire to finish the fight. All of the myriads of offensive and defensive terminology are represented clearly within the software, including submission defence. Here’s what the software allows judges to score points on:
§ Standing Arm Strike
§ Standing Leg Strike
§ Ground Arm Strike
§ Ground Leg Strike
§ Takedown Attempt
§ Takedown Defence
§ Submission Attempt
§ Submission Defence
§ Aggression Bonus
Obviously, the presentation is extremely straightforward while at the same time a direct reflection of the potential for variety of action within any given fight. The multiple dimensions of MMA are fully and accurately represented. There is really no room for guesswork.
Those well-versed in MMA will best appreciate the depth of this system, which is a good thing - athletic commissions need to ensure they hired knowledgeable judges with a solid background in the spectrum of offence and defence exploited by the new breed of fighters.
Furthermore, judges’ scoring is transparent - it can be tracked and reviewed. Not to mention, fighters themselves will have an indisputable track record with which to review their performance and market themselves.
I sincerely look forward to seeing MMA JACS 5000 in action ringside this Saturday evening, July 24, at “Independence Day” to be held at Bellingham Sportsplex, 1225 Civic Field Way, Bellingham, Washington State.
If you’re in or near Bellingham, definitely come on out to watch the fights. Pre- and after-parties are also planned with none other than Urijah Faber in attendance! Event tix start at a mere $25. For more info:
http://www.myspace.com/westcoastfightclub
Tags: MMA JACS 5000
