1/2-Pt rule not implemented at ABC, Judging changes delayed three mos.

The Association of Boxing Commission MMA Judging Committee spent the past year reviewing 1/2 point scoring and the Unified Rules judging criteria.

Chaired by Tennessee’s Jeff Mullen, the Juding committee consists of Aaron Davis, Ed Garner, Dale Kliparchuk, Josef Mason, Todd Neal, Nick Lembo, Andy Foster, Terry Smith, and Joseph Cooper. Mullen brings an extraordinary background to the effort; the committee’s conclusions represent solid steps forward for the sport.

At the 2012 ABC convention, the ABC voted to adopt the recommendation of the committe to not implement 1/2 point scoring as the recommendation of the ABC.

However, the ABC decided to wait a further 90 days on the changes in the recommended Unified Rules judging criteria. During the 90 days, further public comment and feeback from stakefolders in the industry will be sought.

The committee redefined and repriortized the current judging system. There were several critical elements to the proposed changes:

•Striking and grappling were put on equal footing, where formerly striking had been more important.

•Impact and effect of striking and grappling were brought to the forefront, over the sheer number of strikes or submission attempts, etc. Thus heavy shots and near submissions became more influential in judge a bout.

•Defense was removed a separate consideration, as defense is its own reward.

•Effective Aggression was moved in importance above Cage Control, reversing the former order.

•Offered further clarification on what constitiutes a 10-10, 10-9, 10-8, and 10-7 round, including explicit direction that a 10-10 and 10-7 round should be rare.

The UG is the community, so post your thoughts on the recommended changes, and they will be sent to the top.