The Super Fight League team semi-finals in India on Friday, saw Sher-E-Punjab vs. the Bengaluru Tigers. California’s Hannah Kampf, representing the Bengaluru Tigers, took on the boxing-based Asha Rojas.

Kampf got stuck in a one-armed guillotine and appeared to go out. Her body went limp and then appeared to convulse. The referee appeared entirely oblivious. Mercifully, Kampf’s corner could see, threw in a towel. Unbelievably, the referee remained entirely oblivious.

Finally, the corner had to run into the cage and break up the action. Some 16 seconds had, however, a frighteningly long period of time.

https://twitter.com/Jolassanda/status/832594945131368449

An unconscious fighter can appear to move due to being physically shaken by the other fighter, or due to involuntary twitches. This is why competent referees make it clear that they make ask the fighter in the submission if they are okay, and the fighter then should, without endangering himself or herself, indicate that things are not dire. A thumbs up is common.

Mixed martial arts is a dangerous sport, but competent officiating can help make it as safe as possible. By contrast, incompetent officiating can make a situation that is not inherently dangerous, and make it terrible. Just as promotions invest in fighters and cages and venues, they need to invest in competent officials.