COMBAT SPORTS: Commission eyes instant replay
Better technology could detect legal blows or fouls
The Nevada Athletic Commission is considering the use of instant replay in combat sports.
A vote on the proposed change is the most intriguing of several on the agenda for its planned Aug. 19 regulation hearing.
The rule would apply to both boxing and mixed martial arts. Under the proposal, instant replay only could be used to determine whether a fight-ending injury was caused by a legal blow or a foul.
The rule is very limited in scope by design. Expanded use of replay would be complicated as fights may not have played out the same had circumstances been ruled differently.
Keith Kizer, the executive director of the NAC, says the expansion of technology has enabled the possibility of instant replay. The use of replay may not have been fair if only a select few venues in the state had the capacity to use the system.
Kizer added that referees will be instructed in a similar fashion to football officials.
"The burden is on the change," he said. "If it is indeterminable after looking at the replay, the call would stand."
An item is also on the agenda to allow nontitle MMA fights to be scheduled for five rounds, which would probably be utilized in bouts between two title contenders.
Kizer said that although a promoter could petition the commission to allow the practice now, the regulation would enable promoters to leave off that step.
That change probably would not affect matches in the UFC.
"We will stay 3," president Dana White said in a text message, implying the organization would continue with all nontitle fights being just three rounds.
The commission is seeking public input into the proposed changes. Those wanting to weigh in can do so at the hearing or by writing the commission.
"Maybe there's a way to make these even better that we didn't think of," Kizer said, adding that he feels good about the items on the agenda. "I personally think these are all good changes and that's why I'm presenting them to the commission."
Kizer said the commission holds these types of regulatory hearings about every 18 months to "fine-tune things."
? BOUT SAVED -- The fight between Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Gegard Mousasi will now take place on the Aug. 15 Strikeforce card in San Jose, Calif.
It will be for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title, currently held by Sobral.
The two were supposed to meet in a nontitle fight on the cancelled "Affliction: Trilogy" card on Aug. 1.
? WEC 42 UPDATE -- Japanese fighter Kenji Osawa has been forced to withdraw from his Aug. 9 bantamweight fight with Rani Yahya at the Hard Rock Hotel due to a foot injury.
John Hosman has been tabbed to make his organizational debut in Osawa's place on the WEC 42 card.
Better technology could detect legal blows or fouls
The Nevada Athletic Commission is considering the use of instant replay in combat sports.
A vote on the proposed change is the most intriguing of several on the agenda for its planned Aug. 19 regulation hearing.
The rule would apply to both boxing and mixed martial arts. Under the proposal, instant replay only could be used to determine whether a fight-ending injury was caused by a legal blow or a foul.
The rule is very limited in scope by design. Expanded use of replay would be complicated as fights may not have played out the same had circumstances been ruled differently.
Keith Kizer, the executive director of the NAC, says the expansion of technology has enabled the possibility of instant replay. The use of replay may not have been fair if only a select few venues in the state had the capacity to use the system.
Kizer added that referees will be instructed in a similar fashion to football officials.
"The burden is on the change," he said. "If it is indeterminable after looking at the replay, the call would stand."
An item is also on the agenda to allow nontitle MMA fights to be scheduled for five rounds, which would probably be utilized in bouts between two title contenders.
Kizer said that although a promoter could petition the commission to allow the practice now, the regulation would enable promoters to leave off that step.
That change probably would not affect matches in the UFC.
"We will stay 3," president Dana White said in a text message, implying the organization would continue with all nontitle fights being just three rounds.
The commission is seeking public input into the proposed changes. Those wanting to weigh in can do so at the hearing or by writing the commission.
"Maybe there's a way to make these even better that we didn't think of," Kizer said, adding that he feels good about the items on the agenda. "I personally think these are all good changes and that's why I'm presenting them to the commission."
Kizer said the commission holds these types of regulatory hearings about every 18 months to "fine-tune things."
? BOUT SAVED -- The fight between Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Gegard Mousasi will now take place on the Aug. 15 Strikeforce card in San Jose, Calif.
It will be for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title, currently held by Sobral.
The two were supposed to meet in a nontitle fight on the cancelled "Affliction: Trilogy" card on Aug. 1.
? WEC 42 UPDATE -- Japanese fighter Kenji Osawa has been forced to withdraw from his Aug. 9 bantamweight fight with Rani Yahya at the Hard Rock Hotel due to a foot injury.
John Hosman has been tabbed to make his organizational debut in Osawa's place on the WEC 42 card.
